Meade F. Kemrer, PhD Archaeological Consulting

PREVIOUS PROJECTS

The Red Sands Project

Meade F. Kemrer Archaeological Consulting completed a comprehensive study of cultural resources associated with the Red Sands all-terrain vehicle (ATV) - motorcycle 99 mi (159 km) trail system located south of Alamogordo in the Tularosa Basin, south-central New Mexico, under contract with BLM-Las Cruces FO.  The 56 sites associated with trail segments surveyed and updated known sites located on other portions of the system contain components ranging from Paleoindian (Folsom) through Depression Era periods.  Most datable occupations fall within the Late Archaic through Formative (1800 BC - AD 1450) periods, consistent with previous findings in the Basin.  Settlement characteristics are also similar to earlier local studies.  Analysis of artifact and feature assemblages and site formation outcomes confirm that most occupations were created by short-term residential domestic groups.  Specialized activity loci are rare.

Detailed impact assessments identified three major sources of site degradation attributable to ATV/motorcycle traffic.  On-trail mechanical impacts produced cultural deposit and artifact cluster dispersal.  Off-trail traffic produce similar impacts and are particularly intense at points of access to the trail system and where trail segment junctions are dense.  Trails are channeled within this coppice dunefield landscape.  Subsequent lateral eolian erosion deflate cultural deposits 3 m to 10 m distant from the trail channels.

Global Position System (GPS) and Geophysical Information System (GIS) technology enhanced project efficiency.  The BLM map GIS layer of the trail system and the previously recorded site location coordinate files were mapped onto the UTM grid system.  This map, along with the GPS receiver, was used for field orientation and for finding known sites for updating.  Field tests demonstrated that the GPS unit was capable for consistent pinpoint accuracy and with greater precision than traditional methods applied to cultural resources within the project area.  Tasks performed with the GPS receiver included: (1) determining site and isolated occurrence location, (2) mapping a 20-acre site containing 77 features using the waypoint and tracking functions, (3) finding the vehicle when returning from cross-country hikes, and (4) downloading collected data from the unit into GIS and CAD programs for producing maps and illustrations for the report.