Bureau of Reclamation - Great Plains Region

Description

In consultation with Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) archaeologists in the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma office, the Oklahoma Archeological Survey (OAS) is proposing an addition to the existing work on sites along Lake Altus, Greer County, Oklahoma. The proposed project is an outgrowth of previous work designed to identify high probability areas for buried human remains. The previous work identified several confounding factors that decreased the effectiveness of predicting the location of subsurface features that could contain burials. These factors include the presence of a large surface scatter of fire fractured rock, stone artifacts, ceramic sherds, animal bone, and historic metal objects. Any ferrous metal and/or burned objects produce a magnetic signal that appears as an anomaly in magnetometer geophysical surveys. Assessing the content of anomalies identified in the previous project showed that only two out of 44 anomalies contained bone. This is only a 4.5 percent success rate. We propose a new method that incorporates piece-plotting and removal of all surface artifacts, metal detecting and removal of all subsurface metallic pieces, new gradiometer survey, and testing of any new anomalies. This new method would be tested on a 20 x 40 m grid the first year with an additional 20 x 40 m area the second year to assess its effectiveness. Artifact analysis of the first 20 x 40 m area would be performed prior to the assessment of the second 20 x 40 m grid. In addition, a large scale GPS mapping of surface features from 34GR3 to 34GR6 will be conducted in preparation for wide-scale application of the new method. The goal of this project is to improve the predictability, and thus return rate, on detecting and removing human remains from these sites.Upon removal, all cultural materials will be transported to the OAS for cleaning and cataloguing. A descriptive analysis will be conducted, the results of which will be written in draft report form for approval by the Reclamation. Upon approval, a final report will be prepared and the cultural material will be submitted to whichever curatorial facility the Reclamation designates.As stated in 36 CFR 79.10d (1), in accordance with section 9 of the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 470hh) and section 304 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470 w-3), the recipient shall restrict access to associated records that contain information relating to the nature, location or character of a prehistoric or historic resource, unless the recipient determines that such disclosure would not create a risk of harm, theft or destruction to the resource or to the area or place where the resource is located or disclosure is not otherwise required by law (36 CFR 79.10d (1). A final technical report on work performed and information recovered shall be required after completion of the project.

Who can apply

• Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
• Private institutions of higher education

Contact

Irene Hoiby <br/>Grants Management Specialist <br/>Phone 406-247-7615
ihoiby@usbr.gov