The Tosawihi landscape in Nevada, is dominated by the remnants of 10,000 years of opalite mining and lithic processing activities. Prehistoric quarry pits, battered ledges of exposed opalite, hundreds of lithic reduction scatters, and fields of biface reduction debris litter the ground for several thousand acres, encompassing numerous sites and localities.
Questions that are being asked relates to the domestic sites and if they are directly associated with the use of the quarries
There is plentiful evidence of tool manufacturing activities, special task areas and food processing, and domestic assemblages suggested by milling equipment, ceramics, and hearths. Questions that are being asked relates to the domestic sites and if they are directly associated with the use of the quarries. There is also a possibility that evidence can be used to understand gender roles in the foraging groups using the quarries.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has signed a settlement agreement with Rodeo Creek Gold, Inc (RCG) that addresses damage to archaeological resources within areas of exploratory drilling operations, located within the Tosawihi Quarry Archaeological District in Nevada.
RCG has agreed to assist the BLM in the protection and study of archaeological resources by contributing a total of $1.5 million over the next 10 years. RCG and the BLM stated that they share a commitment to protect and preserve historic properties and cultural resources, and will work together to better protect and preserve the Tosawihi Quarry Archaeological District, which includes the requirement that all drilling sites and access routes in the district be approved by a BLM archaeologist in the field.
As part of the Agreement, an account will be established and administered by the BLM, separate from general funds, and used exclusively to benefit the Tosawihi Quarry Archaeological District. This account will be utilized to restore damaged areas, complete a cultural inventory within the Tosawihi Quarries Archaeological District, develop an archaeological management plan and provide for Native American consultation and input in the development of the plan.
“This area is important to the Western Shoshone. They consider the material to be sacred and the location to be sacred,” said Bill Fawcett, archaeologist for the Tuscarora Field Office. Fawcett said there are a number of ways in which to use the fund, including working with the Western Shoshone to set up a historic preservation office and training Shoshone people to become site stewards.
Thanks to coldrum for the link. Read more at http://www.pasthorizons.com
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