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REPORT OF A CLASS III CULTURAL RESOURCE INVENTORY, RAWLINS GROUNDWATER PROJECT,

LOWER SAGE CREEK TRANSMISSION LINE, CARBON COUNTY, WYOMING

By

Jeffrey L. Hauff

Prepared for

Wyoming Water Development Commission

Submitted by

Offlce of the Wyoming State Archeologist Wyoming Recreation Commission

P.O. Box 3431, University Station Laramie, Wyoming 82071-3431

Project Number WY-28-86 Cultural Resource Use Permit Number 019-WY-C085

July 1986

ABSTRACT

Eight cultural resource localities, including one historic and seven prehistoric sites, and eleven isolated finds were documented during a cultural resource survey of a proposed water pipeline adjacent to and west of Wyoming Highway 71 in Carbor. County~ Wyoming. One of th~ local~s (48CR4340) is consraerea eligible for nomination to the Naitional Register of Historic Places. A formal archeological testing program is proposed to determine if stgrrificant cultural materials remain buried at this site. Cultural resource clearance is r.ecommended for the remainder of the project.

ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract • • • •

List of Figures. _

List of Tables.

Introduction • • •

Environmental Setting.

Previous work ••

Methodology_ .•

Survey Res.ults Si tes • • Isolated Finds •••••• The Overland Trail ••••• Site 48CR2294 . . • . .

Proposed Testing Program for Site 48CR4340 ••

Summary and Conclusions •••

References Cited • • •••

;;

• ii

. . . i v

v

1

7

9

. • 14

16 16 41 47 48

52

_ 54

55

LIST OF FIGURES

1. Location of the project area and sites recorded.

2. Sketch and point-plot map of 48CR4339 .

3. Sketch and point-plot map of 48CR4340 •

4. Photograph of Cairn A~ Site 48CR4341 ••

5. Photograph of Cairn B, Site 48CR4341 ••

6. Sketch map of 48CR4341 ••• 0 •••••

7. Photograph of Cairn, Site 48CR4342.

8. Sketch map of 48CR4342 •.

9. Sketch map of 48CR4343.

10. Sketch map of 48CR4344 ••

11. Sketch and point-plot map of 48CR4345 ••

12. Sketch and point-plot map of 48CR4346 .

13. Photograph of Overland Trail ••.•••••••

14.

15.

Photograph of Overland Trail, looking west ••

Photograph of Overland Trail, looking southwest.

iv

• .• 2-5

• 19

· • 25

• 28

• • 28

• • 29

· • 30

. . • 31

• • 34

• 36

• . 40

42

• • 49

• • 49

· . 50

LIST OF TABLES

1. Cul tura 1 resource surveys conducted in the area . · . . . . .10-11

2. Cultural resource sites previously recorded in the area .12-13

3. Cul tura 1 remains noted at 48CR4339. · . . . . .17-1S

4. Cul tura 1 remains noted at 48CR4340. .21-24

5. Cultural remains noted at 48CR4343. . . . . . . . · 33

6. Cultural remains noted at 48CR4345. .. . e . . . . · .38-39

7. Cul tura 1 remains noted at 4SCR4346. .43-44

v

1

INTRODUCTION

On June 11-13, 1986 Jeffrey L. Hauff (field supervisor), David Darlington and Doug Birkholz of the Office of the Wyoming State Archeologist conducted a Class III cultural resource inventory of a proposed water transmission pipeline right-of-way located along Wyoming Highway 71 (Sage Creek Road) and a portion of the Niller Hill Road, Carbon County, Wyoming. The pipeline will be placed within the existing road rights-of-way which are 100 ft (30 m) west from centerline along that portion of Wyoming Highway 71 under state maintenance, 65 ft (20 m) west from centerline on the remainder of the highway and 60 ft total on the Miller Hill Road under county maintenance. a small parcel of land in the SE * of the SEi of Section 11, T20N, R88W was also surveyed for the connector line from the Atlantic Rim Reservoir to the main pipeline. A connector 1 i ne ri ght-of-way wi th a 75 ft ri ght-of-way was surveyed from the existing Nugget Well Field to the main pipeline as well. Approximate 1 inear distance from Atlantic Rim Reservoir to the Nugget Well Field is 12 miles (19.2 km). Legal location included portions of Sections 11, 14, 23, 26, and 35, T20N, R88W; Sections 2, 11, 14, 23, 25, 26, and 36, T19N, R88W; and Sectiuns 2, 3, and 10, T18N, ~88W (see Figure 1). Land ownership includes both private (Union Pacific Land Resources Company) and federal (Bureau of Land Management, Rawlins District, Divide Resource Area) holdings arranged in a checkerboard pattern. David Eckles, OWSA Survey Director, served as principal investigator for the project, and studies were conducted under USDI Cultural Resource Use Permit Number 019-WY-C085.

Purposes of the investigation were to: 1) locate and document cultural resources within the proposed impact area via a records search and on-site visual inspection; 2) assess the significance of any cultural materials recorded according to Wyoming BU1/SHPO evaluation standards for prehistoric and historic sites and other criteria for eligibility to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP); and 3),

2

? ~ ~ L.::.:== 17219

f: (/\/l IIF-8

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I I ---------\- ----- ----

- IF-10

.. ,-.-

~ /

/

/ \. \ I I ~----- ----/--

1\ i

- I ---:- I , I

Figure 1a. Location of the project area and sites recorded. U.S.G.S. Coal Mine Ridge, 7.5', 1983.

/ I

Eightmile[ Lake r

!

/ --.I

f..-. ____ _

/',

; /

W -J

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3

PIPELINE ROW \~

'=> ", O }3'- -

,/ :J

I~Dnll Holeo ~

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25

7 -­'\

-'-t­\

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\ \ .... \ ~ \

\ " 'i

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--"-----"-~~.

) R88W S

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7289"

;::.

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( ,I I I

~ / -j~/! f Ilii , G, _

~~ ",7471

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Figure lb. Location of the project area and sites recorded. U.S.G.S. Coal Mine Ridge, 7.5 1

, 1983.

.~

- :-::._----:----=---::...------- -- -----­,',

II \-

B\~x 71Z3

4

\

" -+--l- '~' <.: -' \ "-

\ ,/-/~=--~ ~/

7770 ~. -- :\

<: \

::. X~2J /~,",," - - - - "'j:aCR4345 ---. .flowing Well '- _ \

7753 \ ________ _ __ 2'2,2 ___ .-:~ __ ~--_'----_::__-_---_~

\--,,' '70-'4""

,'7208 I

,----- ...... ----

~ ,

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~ 7071

Teton R eservoi1'

a ~ ~ -~- , --- 80~!'€"11/ ,;-077 o""-CO--===~O~D _=-'

\ __ , __ ,_~ ___ --::-____ T\lF~5 ________ --------

_"' ~-"-- " "---r-" " 26: "'" ~~ __ => ___ \\-

25

Figure lc. Location of the project area and sites recorded. U.S.G.S. La Marsh Creek West, 7.5', 1983.

." "

,,'

7285 ~~ ",,, "')' '"""' , -,'

Flowing Well

"

5

""~~'/ "-, ~)

35

. .' PIPELINE

" . ~ ....

~9''''

••••••••• ~ C~Q,e,~--" .~------------------.-----------.

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~!i I~' V' \

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T~~~------------~------------~-------------------J~----------------R88W co.' .

73

I Pits Flume

END

", " /--- LD~_. __ -___ ~ __ -______ I ------'l'y-:---

- .

Figure ld.

f

:·7257 /

Location of the project area and sites recorded. La Marsh Creek West, 7.5',1983.

, ,7205

U.S.G.S.

6

if necessary, propose a plan for the mitigation of adverse impacts to cultural resources considered significant according to NRHP criteria.

7

ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING

The project area is located in south central Wyoming in west centra 1 Carbon County, approximately 9.6-29 km (6-18 mi 1 es) south of Rawlins. Physiographically, the study area lies within the western Carbon Basin. Atlantic Ri~, a prominent southwest to northeast trending ridge system of the Mesaverde sandstone formation, divides the Carbon Basin from the Great Divide Basin to the west. The Sierra Madre and Medicine Bow mountains form the southern and eastern boundaries, respec­tively. The Green, Ferris and Seminoe ~1ountains, collectively termed the Granite Mountains Uplift, and the Rawlins Uplift, are considered the northern border. The North Platte River is the primary drainage.

Local geomorphic units through which the project area passes include a small portion of the Kindt Syncline (Mesaverde formation) to the north and the Sage Creek Basin to the south. Topographic features include low ridges and knolls, and plains dissected by shallow to moderately deep arroyos. Elevation ranges from approximately 2143-2225 m (7030-7300 ft) above mean sea level. Atlantic Rim is found .8-9.6 km (.5-6 miles) west of the survey area. Soils in the area are tan clays with silts, sands and gravels, underlain by soft to medium shales and claystones (James M. Montgomery, Consulting Engineers, Inc. 1986:6-7). Drainages in the region include Little Sage, Niller, Emigrant, and La Marsh creeks, which flow into Sage Creek, in turn emptying into the North Platte River to the east.

Cl im&te is characterized as an intermountain desert steppe type, with mild summers and cold winters. Temperatures range from an average maximum of 28.8 degrees C (84 degrees F) in July to -11 degrees C (12 degrees F) in January (U.S. Department of the Interior 1978:R2-2). Yearly precipitation averages 30 cm (12 11

), with 101-127 cm (40-5- 11) of

snowfall. Prevailing wind direction is from the west (U.S. Department of the Interior 1978:R2-1).

Vegetation can generally be characterized as a sagebrush/grassland community. Species observed or expected to occur in the study area

8

include sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata, A. frigida), grease wood

(Sa rcoba tus vermi cu 1 a tus) , p 1 a i ns pri ck 1 y pea r cactus (Opunt i a

polyacantha), aster (Aster spp.), and wild daisy (Erigeron sp.).

Western wheatgrass (Argopyron smithii), threadleaf sedge (Carex

fi 1 i fo 1 i a), Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda), needl eandthread (Sti pa

comata), Indian ricegrass (Oryzopsis hymenoides), and cheatgrass (Bromus

tectorum) comprise the grasses. Willow (Salix sp.), basin wild rye

(Elymus sp.) and rush (Juncus sp.) were also noted along flowing

watercourses.

Faunal species in the area include the pronghorn (Antelocapra

americana), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), cottontail rabbit

(Sylvilagus spp.), jackrabbit (Lepus sp.), ground squirrel (Spermophilus

sp.), prairie dog (Cynomys sp.), packrat (Neotoma sp.), deer mouse

(Peromyscus sp.), badger (Taxidea taxus), coycte (Canis latrans), and

red fox (Vulpes vulpes). Numerous specied of birds and reptiles are

found in the area. Bison (Bison spp.) and the American elk (Cervus

elaphus) were also inhabitants of the basin in the past.

9

PREVIOUS WORK

A file search of cultural resource inventory records was conducted on May 27, 1986 by Mary Hopkins of the State Historic Preservation Office, Review and Compliance Division, prior to the field reconnais­sance of the project area. Results of this search indicated that several cultural resource surveys had been conducted in the area for oil and gas development, water development, and road construction (Table 1). It was also noted that numerous sites had been recorded (Table 2). One of these sites, 48CR2294, was considered eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places and appeared to be in or near the current proj ect ri ght-of-way. The Overl and Tra i 1 (48CR932) is crossed in two places in the southern portion of the study area, by the eXisting Wyoming Highway 71 and by a water well access route. The Trail will be discussed at length in the Survey Results section of this report.

A review of the archeological literature for the Sage Creek Basin presented a number of prehistoric sites within the region. Latady (1985) provides a synopsis of aboriginal localities reported from the basin into 1982. Combining this information with data from the current file search several different aboriginal site types emerge. By fat the most prevalent is the lithic/fired rock scatters with hearths (N=19). Lithic/fired rock sca~ters with no intact hearths follow (N=7). Other types include lithic scatters (2), stone circle sites (2), a hearth/fired rock scatter (1), and a quarry (1). Time periods repre­sented by the sites include a multicomponent Paleoindian-Late Prehis­toric site (48CR381S), Middle Archaic (2), Late Archaic (1), Late Archaic-Late Prehistoric (1), Late Prehistoric (3), and a Protohistoric (1) site. Historical resources include the Overland Trail and a home­stead or ranch. This latter category is probably underrepresented as a result of recording biases of the early surveys.

Table 1. Cul tura 1 resource surveys conducted in the area.

Surve~ T~~e Surve~ Size Legal Location Sites/Isolates Organization Date

Gravel pit 20 acres TI8N, R8BW, S. 10, BLM 1978 W}/SE/NW

Borrow area 120 acres T20N, R88W, S. 14, Late Plains Archaic BLM 1978 NE Projectile point

Sawed Board

LJell pad 40 acres TI9N, R88W, S. 2, Historic Trash PEC 1979 NW/NW (Hatfield Oil Field)

Overland Planning 640 acres TI9N, R88W, S. 14 48CR1338 OWSA 1979 Unit Survey 48CR1339 block area

.......

Hydroca rbons B mile linear, T20N, R8BW, S. 2, 11, 48CRI663 PEC 1980 0

pipeline 100' R.O.W. 14, 23, 26, 35; 48CRl164 T21N, RB7W, S. 30, 31 48CR1165

4BCR1666 3 Isolates

~Je 11 pad/ 40 acres T20N, R88W, S. 24 Chert Flake MZAI 1981 access road 9500 I 1 i nea r SW/SE; S. 13, NW

Hydrocarbons 4200 I 1 inear T20N, RB8W, S. 25, 35; Historic Trash PEC 19B1 pipeline 100 I R. o. W. T21N, RB7W, S. 30, 31

~Je 11 pad/ 40 acres T19N, R88W, S. 35, SW/SW; 4"Isolates WliC 1982 access road 1.5 miles 1 inear S. 10, NE/N~J; S. 3, (prehistoric)

SE/SE/NW; S. 2, NE/NW/NW

Gravel pit 25 acres T18N, RBBW, S. 10, OWSA 1982 N/NE/SW, SW/SE/NW

Table 1. Cul tura 1 resource surveys conducted in the area (cont.).

Surve~ T~ee Surve~ Size Legal Location Sites/Isolates Organization Date

Sage Creek Approximately T19N, R88W, portions of BU4 1982 Road Improvement 7 miles 1 inear S. 1, 2, 11, 14, 23, 25, 48CR3812

26, 35 and 36; T18N, R87W, 48CR3813 portions of S. 1, 7, 12, 48CR3814 17, 18, 20, 28, 29 and 33; 48CR3815 T17N, R87W, portion of S. 4

Borrow pits 18 acres TI9N, R88W, portions of 48CR174 BlM 1982 S. 2, 14, 26 and 36; 48CR2293 TI8N, R87W, portions of 48CR2294 S. 12, 18, 20, 28 and 33; T17N, R87W, portions of S. 4

Diversion ditch 4900 I 1 inear TI9N, R88W, portions of 48CR4059 BlM 1983 ~

200 I R. O. ~1. S. 23 and 24 48CR4060 ~

Water we 11 40 acres TI9N, R88W, S. 34, SE/SE 48CR4108 OWSA 1984

Borrow area .37 acres TI9N, R88W, portions of BlM 1985 S. 18 and 23

Uater well 21 acres TI9N, R88W, S. 34, 48CR932 OW SA 1985 portions of SE/SE/SE; (portion of TI8N, R88W, S. 2 Overland Trail) portion of NW/NW

Table 2. Cultural resource sites previously recorded in the a rea.

Date National Register Site legal location Descri~tion Time Period Recorded Status

48CR932 TI9N, RBBW, portions of Historic emigrant 1862-1868 1983 Eligible - listed on S. 34, 35, and 36; Tra i 1 (prima ry use) the NRHP TIBN, R8BW, portions of S. 2, 3, anq 4

48CR1338 TI9N, R88W, S. 14, lithic/fired rock Unknown 1979 Potentially Eligible NW/NE/Sl.J scatter Prehistoric

48CR1339 T 19N, R88W, S. 14, lithic/fired rock Unknown 1979 Potentially Eligible NE/SE/NE, NE/NE/HE scatter with hearths Prehistoric

48CR1395 TI9N, R88W, S. 36, SE Historic ranch 1870-1890 (?) 1974 Unknown .,......e

48CR1663 T20N, R88W, S. 26, lithic/fired rock Unknown 1980 Not Eligible N

SE/SE/SW scatter Preh is tori c

48CR1664 T20N, R88W, S. 26, lithic/fired rock Unknown 1980 Not Eligible NW/SE/SE/NW scatter with eroded Prehistoric

hearths

48CR1665 T20N, R88\~, S. 23, lithic/fired rock Unknown 1980 Not Eligible N E / S 14/ S E IN H scatter with eroded Prehistoric

hearths

48CR1666 T20N, R88W, S. 14, lithic/fired rock Unknown 1980 Not Eligible NW/NW/SE/SW scatter with eroded Preh is tori c

hearths

48CR2293 TI9N, R88~J, S. 36, Fired rock/corel Unknown 1982 Potentially Eligible Nl~/NE/SW/SW possible burial Prehistoric

Table 2. Cultural resource sites previously recorded in

Site Legal Location Descri~tion

48CR2294 T19N, R88W, S. 26, Lithic scatter/ SW/NE/NE hearth

48CR4060 T19N, R88W, S. 23, Sparse lithic Nl~/SE/NE/SE scat.ter

the area (cont.).

Time Period

Unknown Prehistoric

Unknown Prehistoric

Date Recorded

1982

1983

National Register Status

Potentially Eligible

Not Eligible

..... w

14

METHODOLOGY

The field survey was conducted on foot in good weather conditions. The pipeline will be placed within the existing state and c0~nty highway and road rights-of-way. This involves a 30 m (100 ft) zone on the west side of centerl ine of Wyoming Highway 71~ bounded on the \'/est edge by a fence, and a 20 m (65 ft) strip along the west side of the county portion of the highway, and 18 m (60 ft) along the Miller Hill Road. A 30 m (100 ft) corridor was surveyed on all secti ons of the roadway. This area \'ias covered by either two persons spaced at an approximate 20

m interval, or one person walking a zigzag transect, paralleling the roadway. A strip of land on the south side of the Miller Hill Road, bounded on the south by a fence 1 i ne and rang i ng from 5-40 min wi dth, was similarly surveyed. In addition, a block area of approximately eight acres (3.3 hectares) north of Atlantic Rim Reservoir was covered by transects not exceeding 30 m spacing. The pipeline route connecting the existing water wells with the main pipeline was also surveyed, with an approximate 60 m (200 ft) zone covered by the above method.

When an artifact or feature was located it was pin-flagged and the surrounding area intensively searched for additional cultural materials and the definition of site boundaries. Two or more artifacts within 30

m of each other, or the presence of a feature such as a hearth or rock cairn, were considered a site. A datum point was judgementally selec­ted, marked by a metal tent stake, and artifacts and features were point-plot mapped with the aid of transit and stadia rod. Datums were ties into prominent' topographic or man-made features. An analysis of core reduction flakes and cores was completed in the field, and only a few selected tools, including diagnostic projectile points, were col­lected for later laboratory description and cataloging. Black-and-white 35 mm photographs of site setti ng and features were taken. IMACS site forms were util ized for recording purposes. Site sketch maps -,',ere drawn for each locality, with point-plot data transferred to these later in the lab. Project notes and photographic negatives are stored at the

15

Office of the Wyoming State Archeologist, Laramie. Only diagnostic artifacts were collected and curated at the Department of Anthropology, University of Wyoming.

16

SURVEY RESULTS

Eight sites, including one historic and seven prehistoric locales, and eleven i so 1 ated fi nds were recorded duri ng the current cu 1 tu ra 1

resource investigation. None of the isolated finds are considered eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. Th~ sites and isolates are described as follows:

Sites

SITE: 48CR4339, RGWP-1 LOCATION: T18N, R88W, Section 2, NW/NW/NW/NW/SW, SE/SW/SW/SW/NW, SW/SE/SW/SW/NW; Section 3, NE/SE/NE/NE/SE, SE/NE/NE/NE/SE (Figure 1). DESCRIPTION: The site consists of a sparse lithic scatter found in two areas, a possible deflated hearth, and two tools, one a Late Prehistoric Peri od sha 11 ow corner-notched projecti 1 e poi nt fragment, the other a biface fragment (Table 3, Figure 2). Recent sheepherder debris, includ­ing scattered wood, a few modern food cans, tobacco tins, a glove and a roll of toilet paper were also noted. Lithic artifacts recorded include core reduction flakes of primary (4), secondary (6), and tertiary (5) types of brown and grey cherts with only a few quartzites. Four cores, all of chert, were also noted. The projectile point is of a light brown patinated chert, with the biface of tan/brown quartzite. The hearth remains consists of 8 fired sandstone slabs with no stain or ash pre­sent. Site size is approximately 5200 sq. m.

The site is located on the crest of a gently east sloping ridge with Miller Creek 400 m to the north and an unnamed draw 250 m to the south. Elevation is 2201 m (7200 ft) above mean sea level. Small low hillocks of ea rth wi th sagebrush and greasewood a re found wi th in the site area. Other vegetation includes plains prickly pear cactus, Indian ricegrass, wheatgrass, needleandthread, and phlox. Soil consists of tan silty clay with gravels and occasional cobbles. Land ownership is both private (Section 3) and federal (Section 2).

Table 3. Cul tura 1 remains noted at 48CR4339.

Flake Type * Fired Ma~ # Cat # ~1a teri a 1 TlQe Tool Core P S T BT SH Rock Feature Comments

1. 1. Tan/brown quartzite X Thin biface fragment 5 em x 3 em x .5 em

2. White chert 1

3. Grey Quartzite 1

4. White chert X Exhausted core

5. Brown chert 1

6. Brown and white chert X ......

7. Blue/white chert 1 ""-J

8. White chert 1

9. White chert X

10. Pink chert X Exhausted core

11. Grey chert 1

12. Grey/white chert 1

12. Translucent chert 1

13. Grey/brown quartzite 1

14. Grey chert 1

14. Grey/white chert 1

Table 3. Cultural remains noted at 48CR4339 (cant.).

Map # Cat #

14.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

P = Prima ry S = Secondary T = Tertiary

Flake Type * Fired Material Type Tool Core PST BT SH Rock

Grey/brO\'Jn chert

Grey chert

Light brown patinated X chert

1

1

Brown chert 1

Brown quartzite 1

BT = Biface Thinning SH = Shatter

Feature Comments

Deflated 8 reddened sandstone fire hearth slabs - no stain

late Prehistoric Period shallow corner­notched project 11 e point fragment.

....... co

/ /

/ /"

Figure 2. Sketch and point-plot map of 48CR4339.

:3

R.G.W.P.- I

WY-28-86 TN

30 M.

CONTOUR INT. 1M

20

DISCUSSION: The site is small and surficial and the cultural materials are scattered. The deflated hearth indicates little potential for buried cultural remains. Little interpretive or scientific value is present. A Late Prehistoric Period date is assigned based on the presence of a diagnostic projectile point. NATIONAL REGISTER STATUS: Site 48CR4339 is not considered eligible for ncmination to the National Register of Historic Places. There is :ittle integrity in the cultural remains. No further work is recommended.

SITE: 48CR4340, RGWP-2 LOCATION: T18N, R88W, Section 3, NW/NE/SE/SE/NE, NW/SE/SE/NE, S/SE/NE/SE/NE (Figure 1). DESCRIPTION: The site consists of a 1 ithic and fired rock scatter covering a fairly extensive area (Table 4, Figure 3). Lithic debitage observed includes core reduction flakes of primary (10+), secondary (19+), and tertiary (26+) types, along with a retouched flake, quartzite core and mano. Material types include purple and grey quartzites and cherts. A large scatter of fired sandstone and cobbles, some in concen­trations indicative of recently deflated hearths, is found throughout the site area. Bone fragments were associated with one of the hearths, and were also found in other areas of the site. Historic debris was also noted at the site, consisting of tro solder dot, crimped seam cans and a brass sheep bell. Site area is approximately 16,800 sq. m.

The site is situated on the south side of Miller Creek at the base of a ridge and on the creek terrace. A ridge or knoll crest is adjacent to the south. A sma 11 branch of ~li 11 er Creek flows through the site area. Elevation is 2191 m (7190 ft) above mean sea level. Soil is a tan silty clay and sandy clay, with gravels and cobbles on the slopes of the ridge. Soils are alluvial deposits near the creek. Vegetation includes sagebrush, greasewood, plains prickly pear cactus, Indian ricegrass, wheatgrass and needleandthread. Willow, rush, and basin wild rye are found in the drainage. Land ownership is private. DISCUSSION: Site 48CR4340 consists of a fairly extensive scatter of lithics, fired rock and other materials. The site probably represents a camp occupied for some duration or the accumulation of numerous camps.

Table 4. Cul tura 1 remains noted at 48CR4340.

Flake Type * Fired Ma~ # Cat # Material Tl~e Tool Core P S T BT SH Rock Feature Comments

1. Purple/white chert 1

2. Brass Sheep bell

3. Sandstone/cobbles 20 Deflated hearth area-bone fragments associated.

4. Sandstone/cobbles 20 Deflated hearth area

4. Chert 1 Associated with hearth

4. Chert 1 Associated with hearth N ..... 4. Quartzite 1 Associated with hea rth

5. Grey quartzite 1

6. Bone Bos or Bison maxillary

7. Quartzite X

8. Sandstone 7 Found in badger hole backdirt

8. Chert 1 Associated with above

9. Sandstone 23 Deflated hearth

9. Grey quartzite 1

9. Tan quartzite 1

Table 4. Cultural remains noted at 4BCR4340 (cont.).

Flake Type * Fired NaQ # Cat # Material T~Qe Tool Core P S T BT SH Rock Feature Comments

10. Sandstone 6

10. Grey/purple quartzite 1

11. Chert 1 1

11. Quartzite 1

12. Purple quartzite 1

13. Chert 3 3 4 Flake Scatter

13. Sandstone 3 .'\l N

14. Metal Crimped sean solder dot can

14. Bone Bone fragments

14. Grey qua rtz i te 1

15. Bone B 0 s 0 r B i son rna x i 11 a ry

16. Chert 2

17. Chert 1

lB. Metal Solder dot can

19. Sandstone/cobble 25 Deflated hearth area

20. Sandstone/cobbles 10

Table 4. Cultural remains noted at 48CR4340 (cont.).

Flake Type * Fired MaQ # Cat # Materia 1 T~Qe Tool Core P S T BT SH Rock Feature Comments

2l. Sandstone/cobbles 12

22. Sandstone/cobbles 5

23. Quartzite X 1 Retouched Flake

24. Sandstone 6

25. Sandstone/cobble 10

26. Sandstone/cobble 5

27. Sandstone/cobble 15 Deflated hearth area N w

28. Sandstone/cobble 3

29. Sandstone 6

30. Sandstone 1

31. Cobble 2

31. Qua rtz i te 1

32. Cobble X Mano

32. Petrified wood 1

33. Sandstone/cobble 10

34. Cobble 4

Table 4. Cultural remains noted at 48CR4340

Flake Type * Na~ # Cat # t·1a teri a 1 T.l:~e Tool

35.

35.

36.

37.

33.

39.

40.

41.

42.

43.

P = Primary S = Secondary T = Tertiary

Chert

Quartzite

Chert

Sandstone/cobble

Cobble

Sandstone

Cobble

Cobble

Cobble

Chert

BT = Biface Thinning SH = Shatter

(cont.).

Fi red Core P S T BT SH Rock Feature Comments

5 7 8 Flake scatter

1

1

13

3

3

1 N ~

2

1

X X X Flake scatter

5

/

Figure 3. Sketch and p6int-plot map of 48CR4340.

.... -""I ~~/ /;(

'/ / .

APPROXIMATE'

SECTION ) LINE

(

. I

I

48 C R 4340 R.G,W.P.-2

WY-28-86 TN

30 M.

CONTOUR INT. 1M

)

N U1

26

Although it is estimated that approximately 60% of the site has been eroded away by slope wash and creek flooding, fired rock noted eroding from the cutbank indicates that the potential for buried cultural remains is good. Subsurface hearths could yield charcoal for radiocarbon dating of the site, the time period currently lacking due to the absence of diagnostic artifacts. In addition, he~rths may provide floral and faunal remains for the study of the subsistence base of the prehistoric inhabitants. The posstbil ity of these remains is evidenced in the bone fragments found in the deflated areas, and in the grinding stone noted at the site. Alluvial deposits near the creek may have preserved culturaT materials in this area. While lithic/fired rock scatters are common in the Sage Creek Basin, few have been investigated by excavation due to integrity of deposits, extensive erosion throughout the area, and project avoidance. Latady (1985) tested two sites (48CR3814 and 48CR3815) of this type south of the current project area along the Sage Creek Road. The 1 atter of these sites proved to be a stratified, multi-component camp of Paleoindian through Late Prehistoric times. Lithic procurement and use was the primary focus of this re­search (Latady 1985:190). Results of this investigation have yielded a great deal of significant scientific archeological information concer­ning prehistoric subsistence and settlement in this portion of Wyoming. Further work at 48CR4340 may add to this important data base. NATIONAL REGISTER STATUS: Site 48CR4340 is considered eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places for the above

reasons. The site may contribute significant information to the inter­pretation of prehistoric cultural adaptation to this region. A dis­cussion of the proposed testing strategy and the information that may gained follows this section of the report.

SITE: 48CR4341, RGWP-3 LOCATION: T18N, R88W, Section 2, SE/SE/NW/SE/NW (Figure 1). DESCRIPTION: The site consists of two small, 10'1' rock piles. Cairn A measures 30 cm east-west by 55 cm north-south, and is made up of nine

rocks of various types (Figure 4). Rocks are silted in 3-5 cm deep. Cairn 8 measures 45 cm east-west by 80 cm north-south and is composed of

27

six rocks (Figure 5). The largest stone is 25 cm across. These rocks appear to be buried 3-7 cm. The two cairns are 17 meters apart (Figure 6).

The site is located at the crest of a gentle southwest to northwest sloping ridge. Miller Creek is found 300 m to the north with an unnamed dr'aw 150 m south. Mi nor dra i nage arroyos d re 1 oca ted to the 'tIes t and east. Elevation is 2191 m (7190 ft) above mean sea level. Soil is a tan silty clay with gravels. Vegetation includes sagebrush, plains prickly pear cactus, phlox, wild daisy, needleandthread, wheatgrass and Indian ricegrass. Land ownership is federal. DISCUSSION: The site is small and there are no additional culturai materials that could be utilized for further study. Little interpretive value is present. The site has been fully documented. NAT~ONAL REGISTER STATUS: Site 48CR4341 is not considered eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. Little signifi­cant information could be gained from further work at the site, and pertinent research questions could not be addressed from further field study. No further work is recommended.

SITE: 48CR4342, RGWP-4

LOCATION: TI8N, R88W, Section 2, NW/NW/SE/NW/NE (Figure 1). DESCRIPTION: The site consists of a sandstone slab rock cairn with dimensions of 180 cm north-south by 170 em east-west. Exposed rocks are

buried 3-7 cm, with some rock under the visible slabs. The cairn is less than 20 cm in height. Approximately 20 slabs make up the feature, with a few scattered around it (Figure 7). No other cultural materials were observed.

The site is located at the crest of a southwest to northwest trending ridge with an approximate 2 degree slope (Figure 8). ~liller

Creek is found 200 m to the north wi th an unnamed draw 150 m to the south. Elevation is 2178 m (7145 ft) above mean sea level. Soil is a tan silty clay with gravels. Vegetation includes sagebrush, plains prickly pear cactus, phlox, wild daisy, needleandthread, wheatgrass and Indian ricegrass. Land ownership is federal.

28

Figure 4. Photograph of Cairn A, site 48CR4341.

Figure 5. Photograph of Cairn B, site 48CR4341.

-I

Figure 6. Sketch map of 48CR4341.

SURVEY AREA

100' x 30 M 48CR 4341

R,G.W,P.-3

WY-28-86 TN

20M.

CONTOUR INT. J M

N to

30

Figure 7. Photograph of Cairn, site 48CR4342.

SURVEY ARE A

2

Figure 8. Sketch map of 48CR4342.

48CR 4342 R.G.W.P.-·4

WY-28-86 TN

20 M.

CONTOUR INT. 1M

w ......

32

DISCUSSION: The site consists of a rock cairn with no associated cultural materials. Several of the stone slabs were lifed and a trowel was used to probe into the feature. Addi ti ona 1 rock was di scovered under the visible slabs. The top stones were replaces and the feature left intact. It appears that the feature has silted in by aeolian deposits,

NATIONAL REGISTER STATUS: Site 48CR4342 is not considered eligible for nomination to the National Register of Histortc Places. The cultural remains present will not yield additional significant scientific infor­mation nor can it be used to address pertinent archeological questions. No further work is recommended.

~SITE: 48CR4343, RGWP-5 LOCATION: T20N, R88W, Section 35, C/S/NE/SE/NE/SE (Figure 1). DESCRIPTION: The site consists of a small highly eroded historic dump wi th cans, cerami cs, gl ass, wood and rubber fragments (Tab 1 e 5). The remains of an old road perpendicular to the highway are found along the northern boundary of the site (Figure 9). Artifacts are sparse so only one episode of dumping may be represented. Site area is approximately 1200 sq. m, this area the probable result of considerable erosion and previous highway construction. A 1923 Wyoming license plate was noted at the site that presents t,le earliest date for the materials. Other diagnostic artifacts would point to a terminal date of the 1930s.

The site is located on the northwestern slope of a ridge that crests to the south. Elevation is 2210 m (7250 ft) above mean sea level. The Hatfield Oil Field is located to the west of the site, with Wyoming Highway 71 adjacent to the east. Soil consists of a tan silty clay with gravels. Vegetation includes sagebrush, greasewood, needl eandthread, wheatgrass and other grasses. Di sturbed area vege­tation is prevalent next to the highway. Land ownership is private. DISCUSSION: The site consists of a small historic trash dump with no associated features other than an abandoned dirt road that leads west into the Hatfield Oil Field. Considerable disturbance in the form of sheet wash erosion and pervious highway construction have seriously impacted the site. For these reasons the site was not transit mapped.

33

Table 5. Cultural remains noted at 48CR4343.

Cans

Glass

Unidentifiable can fragments .. Lapped sean can fragments . Crimped seam can fragments .. Aluminum can ..•.....

Clear bottle/jar fragments ...•...•. Purple bottle fragments ..... . White fragments .......•.. Modern brown beer bottle fragments. Clear beverage bottle. • .. . ... Modern green beverage bottle •• Modern brown beer bottles. Auto window glass .•....

Ceramics

• •• 41+ • .10+

.26+ · . 1

• • .25+ · . 2+ · . 3+ • .20+

1 1

• • 2 · . 4+

White stoneware .................... 25+

Rubber

Wood

Red fragments . Black innertube .

• • • • • 2 . . . 1

111 X ? fragments. . . . . . . . . . . . • • . . • . . . 4

Metal

1923 Wyoming license plate. Miscellaneous fragments ..

. . 1 . . . 5

Figure 9. Sketch map of 48CR4343.

SURVEY AREA

- - ... ~ I

I I

/ ./

I SITE I AREA , \ \ \ ,

" ./ "'9-_ .....

OJ rn :z. ()

::x:

2 o

48 CR 4343 R.W.G.P-5

wy- 28-86

2 0 1\' 1----

CONTOUR INT.IM

35

The materials present point to a residential dump area. These materials were probably taken from the original site of use and deposited in this area.

NATIONAL REGISTER STATUS: Site 48CR4343 is not considered eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. The site is small and possesses little integrity of cultural deposits. No addi­tional significan-: information could be gained from further study. No further work is recommended.

SITE: 48CR4344, RGWP-6 LOCATION: T19N, R88W, Section 2, C/S/SE/SW/SW/SE (Figure 1). DESCRIPTION: The site consists of a hearth measuring 50 cm north-south by 40 cm east-west. Fifteen small sandstone slabs were noted eroding from the feature. A trowel probe into the hearth revealed some char­coal. A tertiary flake of translucent chert was the only other cultural material found at the site. This artifact was found 7 m from the hearth (Figure 10). The site was found just outside of the survey boundary.

The site is located between two shallow arroyos on the 4-5 degree west-southwest slope of a ridge that crests to the north. Elevation is 2195 m (7200 ft) above mean sea level. Soil is a tan silty clay with gravels. Vegetation is sparse and includes sagebrush, wild daisy, wheatgrass and needleandthread. Land ownership is federal. DISCUSSION: The site consists of an intact hearth and flake. Charcoal was noted in the hea rth . A 1 though a da te cou 1 d probably be obta i ned through radiocarbon dating of the hearth, little other information could be gained. The area is heavily eroded and examination of the arroyo cutbanks shows lit~le potential for deposition in the area. The hear~h

is expected to be completely deflated within the near future. The site may represent a small, temporary camp. NATIONAL REGISTER STATUS: Site 48CR4344 is not considered eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. The cultural materials present cannot be used to address significant questions of the archeological record of the region. No further work is recommended.

48CR 4344 R.G.W.P.- 6

WY-28-86 TN

20 M.

CONTOUR tNT. 1M

Figure 10. Sketch map of 48CR4344.

... / W 0'\

37

SITE: 48CR4345, RGWP-7

LOCATION: T19N, R88W, Section 23, SE/SE/SE/NW/SE, NE/NE/NE/SW/SE (Figure 1).

DESCRIPTION: The site consists of a sparse lithic and fired rock scatter of primary (2) and secondary (7) core reduction flakes and sa~dstone and cobble fired rock (Table 6, Figure 11). Lithic raw material types include both quartzite and chert. Site size is approxi­mately 3150 sq. m.

The site is located on the 2-7 degree northern slope of a ridge that crests to the south. Little Sage Creek is adjacent to the north, and an arroyo forms the western boundary of the site. Portions of the site are found on the floodplain of the creek. Elevation is 2143 m (7030 ft) above mean sea level. Soil is a tan silty clay with gravels and some cobbles. Vegetation includes sagebrush, greasewood, plains prickly pear cactus, wild daisy, basin wild rye, and sparse grasses. Land ownership is private. DISCUSSION: Artifactual materials are sparsely scatter down the ridge and onto the floodplain of Little Sage Creek, the result of heavy sheet wash eros i on and creek fl oodi ng. The arroyo cutbank was exami ned to determine if any cultural deposits were left intact. None were found. No intact hearth remains were found on the ground surface. The site probably represents a small temporary camp. NATIONAL REGISTER STATUS: Site 48CR4345 is not considered eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. The potential for the recover'y of additional significant archeological information is minimal, and no pertinent questions concerning prehistoric inhabitation of the area can be, addressed from further field study of the site. No further work is recommended.

SITE: 48CR4346, RGWP-8 LOCATION: TI9N, R88W, Section 25, W/SW/SW/SW/SW, SW/NW/SW/SW/SW; Section 26, SE/SE/SE/SE/SE/SE; Section 35, NE/NE/NE/NE/NE; Section 36, W/NW/NW/NW/NW (Figure 1). DESCRIPTION: The site consists of a widely distributed 1 ithic/fired rock scatter of approximately 75-100 artifacts. Only those artifacts within or in close proximity to the survey right-Of-way, and tools, were

Table 6. CUI tura 1 remains noted at 48CR4345.

Flake Type * Fired Ma~ # Cat # ~·1ateria 1 T~~e Tool Core P S T BT SH Rock Feature Comments

1 . Grey quartzite 1

2. Cobble 3

3. Cobble 1

4. Clear chert 1

5. Cobble 2

6. Brown chert 1

7. Cobble 2 w 00

8. Cobble 1

9. Cobble 1

10. Cobble 1

10. Brown quartzite 1

11. Cobble 2

12. Cobble 1

13. Cobble 2

14. Bioclastic chert 1

15. Grey quartzite 1

Table 6. Cul tura 1 remains noted at 4BCR4345

Flake Type * rl1ap # Cat # ~1aterial Type Tool

16. Tan chert

17. Grey qua rtz i te

lB. Cobble

19. Bioclastic chert

20.

P = Primary S = Seconda ry T = Tertiary

Cobble

BT = Biface Thinning SH = Shatter

(cant.).

Fired Core P S T BT SH Rock Feature Comments

1

1

1

1

3

o

LITTLE SAGE CREEK

.. _ ... \ ... ---- ...

~ SURVEY

\

2

/-, AREA

.8 " \ '\

\ \

\ >­« ~

~ SITE ~ \ ( AREA i

\ ...... ~ ~

" UJ \. a: 17 , u

\.

40

48CR 4345 R.G.W.P.-7

WY-28-86 TN

20 M.

CONTOUR INT. 1M

Figure 11. Sketch and point-plot map of 48CR4345.

41

point-plotted, with the boundaries of the site the only other shots taken (Table 7, Figure 12). Tools incl uded a tan quartzite biface fragment and a red/brown chert side scraper. These i terns were not co 11 ected. A brown chert exhausted core was noted, along wi th core reduction flakes of primary, secondary and tertiary types. Lithic raw materials included both cherts and quartzites. Site size is approxi­mately 24,000 sq. m.

The site is located on the east-northeast slope of a ridge system that crests to the west. Numerous shallow drainage arroyos flow from the ridge into the site area. Elevation is 2155 m (7070 ft) above mean sea level. The nearest permanent water source is Miller Creek 1 km to the south, wi th L itt 1 e Sage Creek 2 km to the north. Soi 1· is a tan silty clay with gravels and plate sandstone. Vegetation includes sagebrush, some greasewood, wild daisy, phlox, plains prickly pear cactus, wheatgrass, needleandthread and Indian ricegrass. Land owner­ship is both private and federal. DISCUSSION: The site is widely scattered on the slope of the ridge and considerable erosion has taken place. There is no indication of any intact cultural deposits. There is no clustering of fired rock that would indicate recently deflated hearths. The majority of the site area 1 i es outs i de of the survey boundary and wi 1 i not be impacted by the current construction project. NATIONAL REGISTER STATUS: Site 48CR4346 is not considered eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. The site is high 1 y eroded wi th no evi dence of intact cu 1 tura 1 depos its. No addi­tional significant information could be gained fro~ further study of the site. No further work is recommended.

ISOLATED FINDS

ISOLATE: RGWP-IF-I LOCATION: TI8N, R88W, Section 3, NE/SW/NE/SW/SE (Figure 1). DESCRIPTION: The artifact consists of a tan with black inclusions fine-grained cobble core. The core is of locally occurring material and has had flakes removed from both sides and ends. Dimensions are 10 x 15

- - ~-- .. ., ~ . - ..... -~ .. ~ .

48CR 4346 R.G.W.P.- 8

WY-28-86 TN

30 M.

CONTOUR iNT. 1M

111 \" \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \

\1,0

\ \ "

'14 , I.

I 1 , J

I I I

4 /

.......

42

Figure 12. Sketch and point-plot map of 48CR4346.

Table 7. Cul tura 1 remains noted at 48CR4346.

Flake Type * Fired Mae # Cat # Material TXee Tool Core P S T BT SH Rock Feature Comments

1. Grey quartzite 1

2. Red chert 1

3. Sandstone 1

4. Grey quartzite 1

5. Grey quartzite 2

6. Grey quartzite 1

6. Brown quartzite 1 ~ w

7. Red/brown chert X Uniface/scraper

8. Grey quartzite 1

9. Site boundary

10. Site boundary

11. Site boundary

12. Tan quartzite X Biface fragment

13. Brown/red quartzite 1

14. Brown/grey quartzite 1

15. Silicified wood 1

Table 7. Cultural remains noted at 48CR4346.

Flake Type * Ma~ # Cat #

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

P = Primary S = Secondary T = Tertiary

Materi a 1 T~~e

Grey quartzite

Grey/brown quartzite

Brown chert

Patinated chert

Sandstone

Dendritic white chert

BT = Biface Thinning SH = Shatter

Tool Fired

Core P S T BT SH Rock Feature Comments

1

1

X Heavily patinated, exhausted

1

1

1

45

cm. The isolate was found on a south to southeast facing slope of a low ridge at an elevation of 2216 m (7270 ft) above mean sea level. Soil is a tan silty clay with gravels and cobbles. Vegetation is sparse with sagebrush, plains prickly pear cactus, phlox, wheatgrass and other grasses. Land ownership is private.

ISOLATE: RGWP-IF-2 LOCATION: TI8N, R88W, Section 3, NE/SW/NE/SW/SE (Figure 1). DESCRIPTION: The artifact consists of a flakes cobble core of dark tan, very fine-grained quartzite. It measures 5 x 10 cm. The isolate was located on a southeast facing slope with Miller Creek 300 m to the north and an unnamed drainage 150 m to the east. Soil is a tan silty clay with gravels and cobbles. Vegetation includes sagebrush, greasewood, wild daisy and phlox. Land ownership is federal.

ISOLATE: RGWP-IF-3 LOCATION: TI9N, R88W, Section 36, SW/NW/SE/SW/NW (Figure 1). DESCRIPTION: The artifact consists of a grey fine-grained quartzite flaked cobble, with dimensions of 5 x 7 x 2 cm. The isolate was located on an east sloping ridge at an elevation of 2158 m (7080 ft) above mean sea level. Soils is a tan silty clay with~gravels. Vegetation includes sparse sagebrush, wild daisy, phlox and grasses. Land ownership is federa 1 .

ISOLATE: RGWP-IF-4 LOCATION: TI9N, R88W, Section 36, SE/SW/NE/NE/SE (Figure 1). DESCRI~TION: The artifact consists of a heavily patinated chert flake. Size grade is approximately!". The isolate was found on the eastern slope of a north-south trending ridge system to the east of the crest of the ridge 150 ffi. Elevation is 2152 m (7060 ft) above mean sea leve1. Soil is a tan silty clay with gravels. Vegetation includes greasewood, sagebrush, plains prickly pear cactus, wild daisy, phlox, Indian ricegrass and needleandthread. Land ownership is federal.

46

ISOLATE: RGWP-IF-5 LOCATION: TI9N, R88W, Section 26, NE/SE/SW/SE/NE (Figure 1). DESCRIPTION: The artifact consists of a grey/white quartzite secondary core reduction flake. Size grade is approximately 3/4 11

• The isolate was located 10 m from the highway on the eastern slope of a ridge system that crests approximately 250 m to the west. Elevation is 2155 m (7070 ft) above mean sea level. Soil is a tan silty clay with gravels. Vegetation includes sparse sagebrush y wild daisy, Indian ricegrass~ and other grasses. Land ownership is federal.

ISOLATE: RGWP-IF-6 LOCATION: T20N, R88W, Section 14, C/E/SE/SW/SE/SE (Figure 1)~

DESCRI PTION: The arti fact cons i sts of a ye 11 owi sh-brown trans 1 ucent chert tertiary core reduction flake. Size grade is approximately 3/4". Ihe isolate was located on a west sloping plain with a low dune area to the south and a small drainage to the north. Elevation is 2188 m (7180 ft) above mean sea level. Soil is a tan silty clay with sparse gravels. Vegetation includes sagebrush, greasewood, phlox, needleandthread and Indian ricegrass. Land ownership is federal.

ISOLATE: RGWP-IF-7 LOCATION: T20N, R88W, Section 23, C/E/SE/NW/SE/NE (Figure 1). DESCRIPTION: The artifact consists of a translucent white chert terti­ary core reduction flake of approximate i" size grade. The isolate was located on a south sloping plain above a small drainage to the south. Elevation is 2188 m (7180 ft) above mean sea level. Soil is a tan silty clay with a few pebbles gravels. Vegetation includes sagebrush, greasewood, phlox, Indian ricegrass, needleandthread and other grasses. Land ownership is private.

ISOLATE: RGWP-IF-8 LOCATION: T20N, R88W, Section 23, SE/NE/SW/SE/SE (Figure 1). DESCRIPTION: The artifact consists of a white translucent chert terti­ary core reduction flake of i" size grade. The isolate was located on the southwestern slope of a ridge that peaks to the north. Elevation is 1291 m (7190 ft) above mean sea level. Soil is a tan silty clay.

47

Vegetation includes sagebrush, greasewood, phlox, wheatgrass, needleandthread, and Indian ricegrass. Land ownership is private.

ISOLATE: RGWP-IF-9 LOCATION: T20N, R88W, Section 23, SE/SE/SW/SE/SE (Figure 1). DESCRIPTION: The artifacts consists of a light brown translucent chert tertiary core reduction flake of 1" size grade. The isolate was located in a plain with a $1 ight west slope. Elevation is 2191 m (7190 ft) above mean sea leveT. Soil is a tan silty clay with gravels. Vege­tation includes sagebrush, greasewood, phlox, wheatgrass, needleandthread and Indian ricegrass. Land ownership is private.

ISOLATE: RGWP-IF-I0 LOCATION: T20N, R88W, Section 26, NW/NW/SE/NE/NE (Figure 1). DESCRIPTION: The artifact consists of a solder dot/patch lapped seam food can. The isolate was found on the northern slope of a ridge that crests to the south. Elevation is 2191 m (7190 ft) above mean sea level. Soil is a tan silty clay with pebble gravels. Vegetation includes sagebrush, greasewood, phlox, wheatgrass, needleandthread, and Indian ricegrass. Land ownership is federal.

ISOLATE: RGWP-IF-l1 LOCATION: TI9N, R88W, Section 36, C/NE/NW/SW/NW (Figure 1). DESCRIPTION: The artifact consists of a yellowish-brown striated chert side scraper measuring 5 cm long by 3 cm wide by 1.5 cm thick. THe tool was manufactured from a 1 arge core reducti on fl ake. The i so 1 a te was 1 oca ted on the northeas t slope of a ri dge sys tern tha t c res ts to the west. Elevation is 2188 m (7180 ft) above mean sea level. Soil is a tan silty clay with gravels. Vegetation includes sagebrush, wild daisy, phlox, and sparse grasses. Land ownership is federal.

THE OVERLAND TRAIL - 48CR932 THe Overland Trail was a major emigrant trail for westward expan­

sion and was utilized primarily from 1862-1868, until as late as 1900 (Larson 1978:9). A considerable body of literature has been written for

48

this historic trail. Skyl~r Scott, staff historian for OWSA, complied a bibliography of references for the trail that is included as Appendix A. The trail will not be covered in extensive detail in this report.

The Overl and Tra i 1 wi 11 be crossed in two places by the current proposed pipeline construction project. One crossing is along the Sage Creek ~oad (highway) in the SW * of Section 36, T19N, R88W (see Figure 1). Here the trail intersects ~he highway and is marked by a concrete trail marker. The pipeltne will be within the existing highway right-of-way that has been extensively disturbed in this area by previ­ous road construction activities. All evidence of the trail has been obliterated within the right-of-way, although ruts are clearly visible outside of this area (Figures 13-15). Pipeline construction- \'Jill have no adverse affect to the intact porti on of the tra i 1 and therefore cultural resource clearance is recommended with the stipulation that the trail marker be left undisturbed. This should be easily accomplished since the marker is on the edge of the right-of-way.

The second intersection of the trail is within the NW * of the NW! of Section 2, T18N, R88W. Here a spur of the trail is crossed by a connector line water wells that eventually ties into the main trans­mission line along the Miller Road (see Figure 1). This trail segment was reported on by Eckles (1985). Current use of this portion of the trail is by ranch and recreational vehicles. Clearance for a crossing of the trail by pipeline and well access road was granted in 1985 by the BLM. Fences are now located on either side of this right-of-way to bar access to the trail. Upgrading of the existing access road and pipeline installation will occur within this previously disturbed right-of-way. No additional impacts will occur to the trail. Cultural resource clearance is therefore recommended for this area.

Site 48CR2294 This site was noted during the file search and considered eligible

for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. The site was recorded in April of 1982 and described as a " ••. thin (1 flake/10m2) flake scatter, a hearth, a core, and several bifaces on a slight east aspect slope about a third of the way down the slope from the ridge to

49

Figure 13. Photograph of Overland Trail.

Figure 14. Photograph of Overland Trail, looking west.

50

Figure 15~ Photograph of Overland Trail, looking southwest.

51

the valley (Michael T. Bies, IMACS Site Form, 1982). Recommendations were made to map and test the locale.

The site was revisited during the current investigation. No cultural materials were located within .the 30 m survey boundary, nor was an intact hearth found. Lithic debitage and some fired rock was noted on the surface approximately 15 m west of the survey area. The site will not be impacted during the current pipeline construction project.

52

PROPOSED TESTING PROGRAM FOR SITE 48CR4340

Site 48CR4340 consists of a relatively large lithic/fired rock

scc:tter with the potential for buried cultural deposits. The site is

located on the southern side of Miller Creek in the path of a connector

pipeline from the Nugget Well Field to the main pipe-line- along the

Miller Hill Road. An access road would also follow this route. Although

the exact alignment was not staked at the time of the cultural re-source

survey, the location of the pipeline was approximated from an aerial

photograph and is expected to be within 10 m of the proposed

right-of-way (see Figure 3).

Anderson and Kelly, Consulting Engineers, Laramie, a contractor

with the construction project, was contacted on the return from the

field survey and told of the need for further archeological study of

site 48CR4340 if it would be impacted by construction activities. On

June 26, Jeffrey Hauff and Doug Birkholz of OWSA visited the project

area with Don Hubble, a representative of Anderson and Kelly, to

possibly locate an alternative route that would bypass this potentially

eligible site. Due to the widening of the creek both up and downstream

and the marshy conditions that would make a substitute road crossing

unfeasible, and the observance of additional cultural remains along the

creek, it was decided that the best construction route would be the one

originally proposed. Archeological testing of the right-of-way is

proposed to determine if significant cultural deposits remain in this

area.

The immediate site area has a hummocky appearance caused by both

slope wash erosion and occasional creek flooding. It is estimated that

approximately 60% of the ground surface has been disturbed by this

erosional activity. However, discrete clusters of fired rock would

indicate recently deflated hearth areas. Fired rock was also noted

erod i ng from cutbanks in the site a rea, a 1 though no cha rcoa 1 s ta i ned

areas were observed. Shovel testing was determined not to be a viable

method for testing for buried cultural remains during the initial

survey, as materials are expected to be widely scattered and the area

53

explored by a shovel test is extremely small and an unreliable indicator of such deposits. Cultural deposits (i.e. burned rock) have already been observed in a subsurface context.

Therefore, it is recommended that 5 - 1 x 2 m archeological test units be located within the project right-of-way from the edge of the c reek to the base of the ri dge. Th i s wou 1 d adequa te 1 y exp lore the potential for significant buried remains. All matrix from the exca­vation units will be screened through i" hardware mesh for the recovery of cultural remains. Appropriate recording techniques wiTT be utilized wi th plan and profi 1 e maps of the un its and features that may be un­earthed. Expectations are that a hearth or hearths may be unearthed that could yield dates from radiocarbon analysis, and that flQral and/or faunal remains might be recovered from the fill for study of the subsis­tence base of the prehistoric inhabitants. Clusters of flakes in eroded areas of the site could also be indicative of activity areas that may be discovered during the testing phase. The presence of buried cultural remains in Holocene terrace deposits along Miller Creek are considered significant from a scientific standpoint and according to BLM/SHPO guidelines on site significance. A mitigation plan could then be developed on the basins of the remains recovered.

It is expected that the testing phase at 48CR4340 could be accom­plished by a 3-4 person field crew in 3 days, inclusive of travel time to and from La rami e. Laboratory ana 1 ys i s and report prepa ra t ion wou 1 d involve approximately 10 working days. This additional work could be completed within the budget already allotted for the project.

54

SU~lMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

Eight sites, including one historic and seven prehistoric locales, were documented duri ng the current i nvesti ga ti on. A 1 so recorded were eleven prehistoric isolated finds. The historic site consists of a

small domestic dump area. The. prehistoric sites consist of generally small lithic/fired rock scatters of locally occurring raw material types of fine-grained quartzite and chert. A single projectile point was encountered during the project and is of the Late Prehistoric period.

One of the sites contained an intact hearth. The majori.ty of the prehistoric locales are associated with heavily eroded ridge slope environmental settings. Minimal deposition was encountered at most of the locales inventoried.

One of the sites recorded during the current investigation is considered eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. This is 48CR4340, a 1 ithic/fired rock scatter located on the southern side of Miller Creek. An archeological testing program is recommended to determine if significant subsurface cultural remains exist at this locale.

The Overland Trail is crossed in two places by the proposed pipe-1 ine project. Both of these areas have been disturbed by previous construction projects and no adverse impacts will occur as a result of the new proposed pipeline project.

No further cul tura 1 resource work is recommended for the current water pipel ine project, vlith the exception of testing for 48CR4340. Cultural resource clearance is recommended with the stipulation that, should cultural materials be unearthed during construction activities, a qualified archeologist be notified prior to further disturbance to evaluate the remains.

55

REFERENCES CITED

Eckles, David 1985 A cultural resource survey of three water well sites, Carbon

County, Wyoming. Report submitted to the Wyoming Water Devel­opment Commission by the Office of the Wyoming State Archeologist. On file at the Office of the Wyoming State Archeologist, Laramie.

James M. Montgomery, Consulting Engineers, Inc. 1986 Rawlins groundwater project - level III interim report. Report

submitted to the Wyoming Water Development Commission by James M. Montgomery, Consul ti ng Eng; neers, Inc. On fi 1 e at the Office of the Wyoming State Archeologist, Laramie.

Latady, William R., Jr. 1985 Final report of archeological investigations, Highway Project

Number SCCFM-6-28, Sage Creek Road Improvement Project, Carbon County, Wyoming. Report submitted to the Wyoming State Highway Department by the Office of the Wyoming State Archeologist. On file at the Office of the Wyoming State Archeologist, Laramie.

U.S. Department of the Interior 1985 Ora ft envi ronmenta 1 s ta tement: Proposed deve 1 opment of coa 1

resources in southcentral Wyoming. Laramie, Wyoming.

APPENDIX A

Selected Bibliography for the Overland Trail

Selected Bibliography

Anonymous n.d. Overland Stage Company. File (ST13-C-ov), Western History

Research Center, University of Wyoming, Laramie.

Barnes, Demas 1866 From Atlantic to Pacific overland. D. Van Nostrand, New York.

Barnhart, William R. 1969 The early history of Carbon County, Wyoming. M.A. thesis,

Department of History, University of Wyoming, Laramie.

Bartletson, John 1859 Diary of a trip from Fort Bridger, Utah Territory, via

Bridger's Pass and Laramie Plain to Fort Laramie, Nebraska Territory, by ~lr. John Bartleson., 35th Congo 2nd Sess., and Special Sessa of the Senate of 1859, Vol. 975, Sen. -Exec. Doc. 1. William A. Harris, Printer Washington, DC.

Blatchley, Richard and Skylar S. Scott 1985 A cultural resource survey of sixteen temporary construction

areas, Creston Junction - Baggs Road (Highway 789), Highway Project PREB-018-2(6) , Carbon County, Wyoming. Unpublished report, prepared for the Wyoming Highway Department, on file Office of the Wyoming State Archeologist, Laramie.

Bliss, Edward 1931 Denver to Salt Lake by overland stage in 1862. Colorado

Magazine VIII, No.5 (September):190-97.

Bowels, Samuel 1865 Across the continent: A summer's journey to the Rocky

Nountains, the Mormons, and the Pacific states, with Speaker Colfax. Samuel Bowles and Company, Springfield, Massachusetts; and Hurd and Houghton, New York.

Carley, Maurine, complier 1961 Overland stage trail - trek no. 1, trek no. 11 of emigrant

trail treks. Annals of Wyoming 33, No.1 (April):73-101.

1961 Overl ans stage tra i 1 - trek no. 2, trek no. 12 of emi grant treks. Annals of Wyoming 33, No.2 (October):195-214.

1962 Overl and stage tra i 1 - trek no. 3, trek no. 13 of emi grant trail treks. Annals of Wyoming 34, No.2 (October):235-49.

Commonwealth Associates 1982 Class I cultural resources overview for the proposed Frontier

Pipeline. Unpublished report, on file, Office of the Wyoming State Archeologist, Laramie.

Dilke, Sir Charles Wentworth 1869 Greater Britain: A record of travel in English-Speaking

countries during 1866 and 1867. Harper and Brothers, New York.

Fox, George W. 1932 George W. Fox diary.

(January):580-601

Glazier, Willard

Annals of Wyoming 8, No. 3

1869 Ocean to ocean on horseback: Being the story of a tour in the saddle from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Hubbard, Philadelphta.

Hafen, Leroy R. 1926 The overland mail. Arthur H. Clark, Cleveland, Ohio.

Ho 11 i day, Ben 1890 Cl a im of Ben Ho 11 i day. Sena te Mi sce 11 aneous Document. 46th

Congress, Second Seccion 1, 1879-1880. U.S. Senate, ~Jashington, DC.

Hurt, J.J. n. d. Runni ng the gauntlet. Unpub 1 i shed manuscri pt, WPA Fi 1 e 1040

Hurt, J.J., Wyoming State Archives, Cheyenne.

Johnson, Warren B. 1887 From the Pacific to the Atlantic, being an account of a journey

overland from Eureka, Humboldt Co., California, to Webster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. John Cort, Printer, Webster, Massachusetts.

Lanbertsen, Mrs. Walter 1961 The Sulphur Springs Station on the Overland Trail. Annals of

Wyoming XXXIII, No.2 (October):205-07.

McClure, Alexander Kelly 1869 Three thousand miles through the Rocky Mountains. J.B.

Lippincott, Philadelphia.

Messiter, Charles Alston 1890 Sport and adventures among the North-American Indians. No

publisher, London.

Michael, Howard 1928 Untitled clipping. Riverton Chronicle, April 20. File, Trail

Overland (T-681-ov), Western History Research Center, University of Wyoming, Laramie.

Moonlight, Thomas and Jason Craig 1943 Letters of 1862 reveal Indian trouble along the overland

mail-route. Annals of Wyoming 15, No.2 (April):150-52.

Oliphant, J. Orin, ed. 1927 Mrs. Lucy A. Ide's diary 'In a Prairie Schooner, 1878'.

Washington Historical Quarterly 18:125-31, 191-98 and 277-88.

1983 William Emsley Jackson's diary of a cattle drive from La Grange, Oregon, to Cheyenne, Wyoming, in 1876. Ye Galleon Press, Fairfield, Washington.

Owen, W.O. 1933 Owen retraces old stage roads. Laramie Republican Boomerang,

October 10. Albany County Public Library, Laramie, Wyoming.

Rankin, M. Wilson 1944 Reminiscences of frontier days. Annals of ~~yoming XVI, No.1

(January) : 75-8.

Riegel, Robert E. 1931 America moves west. Henry Holt and Company, New York.

Rosenberg, Robert G. and Peter Kvietok 1981 An historical overview of the Red Desert region. Unpublished

report on file, Office of the Wyoming State Archeologist, Laramie.

Rusling, J.F. 1874 Across America, or great west and Pacific Coast. Sheldon and

Company, New York.

Seymour, Silas 1867 Incidents of a trip through the Great Platte Valley, to the

Rocky Mountains and Laramie Plains, in the fali of 1866. D. Van Nostrand, New York.

Tierney, Ed 1961 History of Sage Creek Station. Annals of Wyoming XXXIII, No.2

(October):199-201.

n.d. Stage stations on the Overland Trail through Carbon and Sweetwater Counties, Wyomin~. Unpublished manuscript, File (T6810ov) Tra i 1 - Overland, ~~es tern His tory Resea rch Center, University of Wyoming, Laramie.

Townshend, Frederick Trench 1869 Ten thousand miles of travel, sport, and adventure. Hurst and

Blackett, London.

Urbanek, Mae 1978 Ghost trails of Wyoming. Johnson, Boulder, Colorado.

Walker, Wally 1980 History of the Cherokee Trail in Carbon County, Wyoming. Ph.D.

dissertation, Columbia Pacific University.

Western Interpretive Services 1976 Historic resources of the Sweetwater/Kemmerer and

Hanna/Atlantic Rim coal study areas. Unpublished report, prepared for the Bureau of Land Management. On file, Office of the Wyoming State Archeologist, Laramie.

1979 Class I historic cultural resource inventory for the Ra~vlins District, Bureau of Land Management: Volume I human occupation and use narrative. Unpublished report, on file Office of the Wyoming State Archeologist, Laramie.

Winther, Oscar O. 1964 The transportation frontier, 1865-1890. Holt Rinehart,

Winston, New York.