Revisiting Holt and Picture Canyons

More than 50 years ago, Colorado College students and faculty conducted a multi-year archaeological inventory and testing project in Picture Canyon and Holt Canyon, adjacent tributaries of the Cimarron River in southwestern Baca County, Colorado. Data from several of the sites they investigated have been important to the development of archaeological research in southeastern Colorado. However, the full results of the project have never been reported and site forms have been prepared for just 9 of the 22 sites they documented. Crucially, most of their excavation data remain unreported.

Next summer, PCRG will revisit and re-record the sites documented by Colorado College to assess their current condition and to evaluate their potential for future research. These sites include rockshelters, lithic quarries, and stone features that likely were foundations for habitation structures. The field assessment will include small block surveys to confirm site locations and boundaries, along with limited testing at selected sites to assess the extent and integrity of subsurface cultural deposits. PCRG will also catalog existing records and collections from the 1970-1972 project. PCRG’s final report will reintroduce the important sites Colorado College documented to the professional community and highlight Colorado College’s contributions to archaeological research in southeastern Colorado.

Your donation will help support these efforts. Specifically, PCRG will apply for a History Colorado State Historical Fund Assessment Grant to help fund this project. These grants require a 25 percent cash match, and even more is needed to carryout a successful project. AND, thanks to the support of a few anonymous donors, all donations up to $7,500 will be matched, meaning you can double your impact by donating today! 

In over 25 years, this is the first time we have asked for donations to fund a specific fieldwork project. Next summer, you can sign up to participate in this fieldwork and see your support in action! We believe in this project and the value it will add to Colorado's history and we hope you do too!