The Enigmatic Lithics Data Recovery Excavations
Exciting archaeological and curative work is scheduled in our area this summer. Those of you who attended the Heritage Network Annual meeting in April may recall Steve Kramer, Heritage and Tribal Relations Program Manager for Colville National Forest speak of this possible project. The Passport in Time project is now listed on their website and they are soliciting applicants from all over the United States.
The Enigmatic Lithics Data Recovery Excavations will occur between August 6 and 31 in Republic, Washington. The Enigmatic Lithics site is a National Register eligible prehistoric site located on the Republic Ranger District administrative property within the city limits. The site appears to date to around 3000 BP, but may be older. During initial testing in 2006, a large quantity of lithic materials was recovered, including tools and projectile points. This field season, volunteers will assis
Forest Service archaeologists in performing a partial excavation of the site prior to the land being sold. Volunteers will learn unique excavation techniques involved in "block" excavations and in situ artifact/feature mapping. There will be an on-site lab staffed by a qualified archaeologist, and they will give volunteers a chance to spend time learning lithic analysis and curation techniques.
As historians, we often focus on the time period involving the Euro-American influence in our lands. Much of the evidence of pre-history that has survived is in the form of lithics and it does have a story to tell. In archaeology, a lithic flake is a thin, sharp fragment of stone that is the remnant of a process of lithic reduction, involving a tool used to detach flakes from the core. Core materials varied depending on what was available. Stones such as chert, flint, obsidian and chalcedony were used, as well as some rhyolites, felsites and quartzites. These were chosen for their ability to fracture and be refined into needed practical tools and weapons, such as projectile points, scrapers and blades.
If these lithics are protected by centuries of erosional forces and human building on the land, we are left with an exceptional, detailed record of the activities of the people who lived there so long ago. The exploration of these deposits is an amazing opportunity, especially for those of us who now call this area home. The Passport in Time website offers more information and an online application. Applications for the Enigmatic Lithics Data Recovery Excavations are due June 4, 2007. Steve Kramer is hoping to have 15 volunteers per week for four weeks. There are no stringent requirements; however excavation projects usually involve getting down on the ground and getting dirty.
As an alternative to devoting a fun-filled week to pre-history, interested Network members should plan to visit the site in Republic. We could car-pool over a couple of times in August and see the archaeological process that may help to re-write the history of our area. If any of you have questions about the Passport in Time projects or application process feel free to email me. I have worked with Steve Kramer and other forestry archaeologists in the past and have many stories to tell.
Elaine Colby
Elaine@theheritagenetwork.org