Devils Tower National
Monument Archeological Site Condition Assessments and
Assessment of Natural Resource Program Impacts to
Archeological Sites
Brian Molyneaux
Missouri River Institute
University of South Dakota
Abstract:
Objective: This project will provide
an up-to-date assessment of the condition of DETO’s
archeological sites and how the sites are being impacted by
natural resource activities within the park, including
exotic plant management and prescribed fire. The final
report will:
• Provide updated site condition assessments
for the park (62 total) utilizing the NPS Sites Condition
Assessment form and the accompanying definitions.
• Assess the impacts to all archeological
sites from fire and exotic plant management natural resource
programs.
• Provide management recommendations to
improve fire and exotic plant management BMPs, specifically
as they relate to increased protection of archeological
sites.
• Identify other recommended measures for
park management to manage archeological sites for good
conditions.
Work to be Performed
Unlike larger parks which may take years to
decades to meet the mandate (condition assessments) and
perform a BMP evaluation, DETO’s 1,347 acres and 62 sites
lends itself to accomplishing these objectives within a few
weeks of work time. The field work is estimated to be
completed in 3 to 5 days. Dr. Brian Molyneaux completed a
100% inventory for the park during 1997-98. His work desired
again for this project due to his familiarity with the park
and sites which is anticipated to produce a quality product
at low cost. Revising boundaries for existing sites and
identification of new sites are not anticipated but would be
documented as necessary within the project cost or otherwise
negotiated.
a) The 62 documented archeological sites
will be revisited and their conditions assessed.
Documentation will be in the field using condition
assessment forms and accompanying definitions for required
categories. This form may be completed in pen or pencil and
legible hard copy must be left with the park at the end of
the fieldwork.
b) The prescribed burn on the northern
terrace will be visited and inventoried now that the old
vegetation is gone and new regrowth is still low. If
previously unidentified archeological sites are found, they
will be documented on the Wyoming Cultural Properties form,
a site number obtained from the WyomingCultural Records
office in Cheyenne, and their conditions assessed.
c) If necessary, site forms will be prepared
for any new sites identified by this fieldwork. Each of
those sites will also have a condition assessment carried
out and documented.
d) A draft report will be prepared
identifying the archeological sites, their conditions, and
impacts. This information may be presented in tabular form
with a narrative discussion. The draft report will identify
the activities of the exotic plant and prescribed fire
programs and will assess possible impacts to archeological
sites from these programs.
e) The Principal Investigator will prepare
recommendations to limit site impacts both in general and on
a site by site basis for those sites that are not in good
condition or where the Natural Resource program activities
are anticipated to change degrade the existing good
condition of sites.
Funding Agency:
National Park Service
Modification # J1390-06-0011
$6,029
Effective Dates: October 1, 2006 through September
30,2007
