When: Thursday, March 14th, 2024 at 7:00 pm
Who: Chris Johnston is a Senior Project Archaeologist and Operations Director for Paleocultural Research Group (PCRG) in Broomfield. PCRG conducts multiple citizen science research projects every summer and invites volunteers of all abilities to participate in archaeological fieldwork. Chris earned his BA from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and continued his studies at Colorado State University earning his MA in 2016 with his research on the Roberts Buffalo Jump in Larimer County. In addition to his many years at PCRG, Chris has worked for the Center for Mountain and Plains Archaeology at CSU, the U.S. Forest Service, and in cultural resource management. Chris also served as the Assistant State Archaeologist and PAAC coordinator from 2016 to 2018. In his limited spare time, Chris enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, and coaching his two young sons in a variety of youth sports.
Title: Chancellor Ranch: Recent and Upcoming Archaeological Research in Southeastern Colorado
Abstract: Chancellor Ranch is a 53,000-acre working cattle ranch managed by the Colorado State Land Board property in Las Animas County. The property borders the Purgatoire River and the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site. In 2022, PCRG staff and volunteers conducted a reconnaissance inventory of the property with funding from the Colorado State Historical Fund and the Colorado State Land Board (SLB). Very little archaeological work had been conducted on the property prior to this inventory. PCRG crews focused mainly on high probability areas—specifically near canyon heads and along canyon rims—to assess the cultural resources on the property. The results were astounding, with PCRG documenting 41 archaeological resources including rock shelters, open camps, rock art sites, homesteads, and other agricultural sites. This talk will summarize the 2022 research and discuss PCRG’s plans for 2024 and 2025 to conduct additional fieldwork on the ranch and highlight opportunities for how you can get involved.
Note: This is an excellent opportunity to learn how you can participate in an Archaeology project! PCRG is well-known for working with volunteers on archaeology projects.
Where:
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- IN-PERSON PARTICIPANTS: 2520 55th St, Boulder, CO 80301
*Please note that the door will be locked when you arrive. Please call or text the number listed at the door to be let into the building.”
- IN-PERSON PARTICIPANTS: 2520 55th St, Boulder, CO 80301
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- REMOTE PARTICIPANTS: JOIN MEETING
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Download Teams | Join on the web
Cost: Free & Open to the Public
RECENT LECTURES:
February 2024: Justin Bautista (ERO Resources): research and analysis of a prehistoric Middle Ceramic Period (655-555 BP) bison processing camp located in Douglas County.
October 2023: Kenneth Vernon, PhD: A core-periphery approach to defining community boundaries
September 2023: Ethan Gannett: Investigating the Cherokee and Overland Trails in Colorado
May 2023: Kim Biela: Ceramics Patterning in Rio Blanco County, Colorado
April 2023: Beth Parisi: Archaeological Site Stewardship
February 2023: Sam Bock: The Sand Creek Massacre: The Betrayal that Changed Cheyenne and Arapaho People Forever
January 2023: Harold Henke, PhD: The Metal Detector: As Useful a Tool as a Shovel or Trowel for the Historical Archaeologist
November 2022: Spencer Little: Unbelievably Deep: A Reanalysis of the Hells Midden Site (5MF16)
February 2022: Chris Johnston: Projectile Points, Chronology, and the Oshara Tradition in the San Luis Valley
January 2022: Anna Cordova: Stewardship of Colorado Springs’ Archaeological Resources
December 2021: Devin Pettigrew, PhD: Lessons from Realistic Experiments with Archaeological Weapons
November 2021: Dr. Holly Norton: Archaeology for a Changing Colorado
May 2021: Claire Novotny, PhD: Games of Change and Fate: Patolli at the Ancient Maya Site of Gallon Jug
April 2021: Vicki Twinde-Javner: Excavation of the Lessard Site, Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin
Is there a particular speaker that you would like to see? Email the IPCAS Vice President to suggest a speaker.