Archaeological Survey of Additional Locations for the Aerial Cable Site for Sandia National Laboratories, Bernalillo County, New Mexico

Summary

Archaeological clearance survey for five tower sites, two sheave sites, and four facility access roads was conducted for Sandia National Laboratories in conjunction with the Aerial Cable Site on Kirkland Air Force Base in Bernalillo County, New Mexico. The survey was conducted on November 22, 1991, and on April 23-24 and 27-28, 1992. A total of 40.8 ha (100.8 acres) was surveyed. The five proposed tower sites and two proposed sheave sites contain no archaeological sites or isolated occurrences. Survey along four existing access roads yielded evidence of one previously recorded archaeological site and two new archaeological sites. No evidence of a second previously recorded site in the immediate area of the road was found within the right of- way. The two previously recorded sites are Anasazi sherd and lithic scatters located in Coyote Canyon; each has possible architectural features. The existing road avoids both sites.

The two other sites are high-elevation lithic scatters. These sites have been impacted by grading for the existing access roads.

Archaeological clearance is recommended for the five proposed tower locations and the two proposed sheave locations, as no significant archaeological remains were found in these areas and ground-disturbing activities are expected to have no effect on significant archaeological resources. It has been determined that use of the existing roads has had no significant effect on the two previously recorded sites. Both of these sites are considered to be potentially eligible to the National Register of Historic Places, based on their potential to contain information significant to prehistory. Future road work in the area of Site -133/176 (LA 38910/LA 53673), if it is required, should be conducted on the west side of the road and should be monitored by an archaeologist. Any road work within the 48-m-wide right-of-way should have no effect on potentially significant archaeological resources on site 297 (LA 53674). Sites 288 (LA 88537) and 289 (LA 88538) are also considered to have a limited potential for research. Use of existing roads does not appear to adversely impact the sites. If road construction is required, which would impact the sites, a testing program should be implemented to determine the eligibility of these two sites to the National Register of Historic Places.

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Kirtland Air Force Base CRM Manager

Record Identifiers

Report No.(s): HSR 9025B

File Information