Thorough and exhaustive documentation of existing archaeological sites and finding hitherto unknown engravings and stone edifices of the Pueblo people – these are just two of this season's many accomplishments of the Jagiellonian University researchers in Colorado, USA.

"Being an archaeologist is not so much about spectacular discoveries as conscientious and efficient documentation of one's findings; therefore this year we focused on properly documenting unresearched sites of the Pueblo culture from the 13th century," said Dr Radosław Palonka, head of the Sand Canyon–Castle Rock Archaeological Project.

The spectrum of employed methods is astounding. The most impressive results were achieved through 3D laser scanning performed by Archeo-Explorers Wiesław Koszkul Archeological Services, which allowed for a full documentation of 5 architectural and engraving sites in three canyons.

"We acquired very precise plans and cross-sections as well as 3D models of entire sites along with surrounding areas," said Dr Palonka. To date, no research teams employed such advanced equipment in this region. Laser scanning provided the archaeologists with extremely accurate information and allowed  them to study even the most inaccessible places.

Additionally, in the process of gathering photogrammetric data of the Sandstone Canyon, the researchers found atypical examples of engraving. Among some of the artworks made by Native Americans several centuries ago, they discovered signatures and names as well as symbols used to brand livestock in late 19th and early 20th century, which are traces of the first white settlers in the region, most probably ranchers and cowboys.

According to Fred Blackburn, historical consultant of the Polish project, a large number of these modern inscriptions contain grammar mistakes. He believes that the cowboys might have been trying to learn to write by engraving letters on the rocks. This theory is supported by the fact that one of the main trade routes between central and southern Colorado and the states of Arizona and Utah led through here.

"Apart from the tremendous impact it might have on our knowledge of Native American culture, this site is also crucial for reconstructing the presence of American and Mexican settlers in the area," explained Dr Palonka.

The Kraków archaeologists have encountered two more previously unknown Native American engraving sites. They contain petroglyphs estimated to be approximately 2,000 years old.

The archaeologists have also been searching for the Pueblo people settlements. To this end, they used a ground-penetrating radar and conducted excavations in the most promising places. Unfortunately, they have only discovered evidence of disastrous floods which have completely covered the remains of the settlements with a layer of mud, possibly in the early 20th century.

The archaeologists will continue their work this year. They plan to photograph the newly discovered engravings and use a drone to provide an aerial view of the area, which will help reconstruct the locations of particular sites and defensive-signal towers in the three canyons studied by the Polish team. They will also conduct excavations at a few chosen sites to further verify the geophysical data.

"Currently we believe that the towers were erected in places which allowed the sentinels to stay within the sight range of one another and communicate via fire and smoke signals. We want to test this ourselves using torches or lamps," said Dr Palonka.

The Sand Canyon–Castle rock Archaeological Project is co-funded by the JU Institute of Archaeology and Bureau of Land Management in Washington. In late 2014, Dr Radosław Palonka also received a grant from the National Science Centre.

Photographs: Sand Canyon–Castle Rock Archaeological Project.

(source: PAP – Science in Poland)