In August, 2007, OCA worked with the Cultural Resources Crew of the Valles Caldera National Preserve (VCNP) to map and collect artifacts from the surface of LA 26917, a site that encompasses nearly ½ km2 of the preserve. OCA's crew also completed test excavations at the site, consisting of 12 1X1 m excavation units and 30 shovel test pits. The test excavations produced nearly 9,000 lithic artifacts, the vast majority of which were made from the locally available obsidian. Recovered artifacts indicate repeated use of the site since the Paleoindian period. Currently, OCA staff are analyzing pedological, geomorphic and paleobotanical data, completing obsidian hydration studies, and analyzing the artifacts in an effort to illuminate site formation processes and to evaluate the degree to which cultural deposits have been affected by bioturbation and other post-depositional processes. As one of the first major excavations on the VCNP, the results of this study will help guide future archaeological research in the caldera.

OCA Principal Investigators Pat Hogan and Dick Chapman survey a

two-track road.

Crews performing shovel test pits at the Valles Caldera National Preserve

Project area at dawn

OCA crew testing the soils for potential buried cultural deposits

Obsidian deposits exposed to the surface

Archaeologist Tim Seaman holding a large obsidian cobble

OCA crew chief and a University of New Mexico Ph.D. candidate Scott Worman excavating a deep test probe unit

OCA crew participating on the project

Profile of excavated deep test unit

Elk visiting the project area