Cottonwood, ID – While the warm weather and sunny skies beckon us to go outdoors and enjoy the public lands and resources, this is the time of year when the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) notices an increase in illegal activities. The BLM recently discovered locations where individuals were illegally attempting to find and remove artifacts.   

 

David Sisson, a BLM archaeologist who has extensive experience in the area and who is very familiar with the cultural history of the Lower Salmon River Canyon, explains, “The collection or excavation of cultural resources, especially by untrained individuals, is an extremely serious problem in this area and has caused the destruction of great numbers of prehistoric and historic cultural properties. Archaeological remains help exemplify past human ways of life and are important for a greater understanding of our ancestors. Once material is removed, damaged or destroyed, the links to the past are difficult, if not impossible, to reconnect.” 

 

Archaeologists, like Sisson, use artifacts recovered from past human activities to reconstruct the lifeways of past people. “Unfortunately,” he said, “each time someone illegally removes an old bottle or arrowhead; unearths and scatters a skeleton; obscures a pictograph or historic trail; or destroys a stone tool or structure, another link to our past is lost forever. These artifacts, in association with other remains of past human use, such as mussel shell or bones from food use, are all together considered cultural resources, and only qualified personnel should excavate for and collect these resources.”

 

Sisson expressed his disappointment about these recent illegal activities and said the incidents are under investigation by law enforcement officials. Criminal penalties include a fine up to $20,000 or two years imprisonment for the first conviction. In the case of the second or subsequent convictions, the penalty increases to $100,000 or five years imprisonment.

 “More importantly, however,” Boyce emphasized, “we are concerned that evidence of the past is damaged or destroyed by current activities, and we want to remind the public that these cultural resources are fragile and irreplaceable. Illegal activities, such as digging or collecting artifacts from the surface of the land, destroy bits and pieces of past human activity. The ARPA not only protects native Indian artifacts but other historical items such as old bottles at cabin sites, ceramics and any item that could have past historical value.”

 

Boyce encourages the public to use public lands responsibly and to help watch out for and promptly report illegal activities to appropriate authorities. The local sheriff, BLM or Forest Service offices can help determine who owns the land and investigate the situation. Boyce also reminds the public to only use motorized vehicles on established roads and trails, to ride responsibly only when conditions allow and to not tear up areas when they are wet and muddy. “You may damage resources you can’t see,” he said. 

 

There are many opportunities for those interested in learning more about the archaeology of the lower Salmon River:

·     The BLM has an extensive Lower Salmon River website containing information about the prehistoric and historic settlement and uses in this area; climate and cultural history phases; photos; and sketches of projectile points. Visit the website at: http://www.blm.gov/id/st/en/fo/cottonwood/lower_salmon_river/the_last_12_000_years.html

 

·     You may visit/tour the Cooper’s Ferry archaeological field school, as described below, Wednesday through Sunday between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. (except lunch breaks, 12-12:30 p.m.) through August 11.

 

In partnership with Oregon State University (OSU), the BLM has set up an eight-week archaeological field school at the Cooper’s Ferry site, located on the Salmon River at the end of Graves Creek Road near Cottonwood, ID. The field school, funded through a BLM challenge cost share agreement, will allow students from OSU and other universities, under the direction of Dr. Loren Davis, to excavate an area and gather data about how people lived in the canyon thousands of years ago.  Previous field schools produced data verifying human occupation of sites in the canyon dating back nearly 11,500 years ago.  The public is encouraged to stop by the field school this summer, where Dr. Davis or the students will explain what they are doing and what they are finding. 

 

Sisson stated, “We know that many people are interested in the history of the river canyon, just as we are. We sometimes find some really interesting artifacts and the various layers of sediment produce different clues that we use to piece together ‘generations’ of past uses. Dr. Davis, who started as a graduate student ten years ago with Sisson, continues to work with BLM conducting research, writing papers and bringing students to the area who continue the work.

 

For additional information, contact the BLM Cottonwood Field Office at 208-962-3245 or visit their office located at 1 Butte Drive in Cottonwood.