Umpqua National Forest Site Evaluation

Umpqua National Forest Site Evaluation

Lead Agency: Umpqua National Forest

Location: Douglas County, Oregon

Deliverables: Prehistoric Site Evaluation and Finding of Effect

Duration: July 2018 - February 2019

Objective: Evaluate prehistoric site for National Register eligibility and impacts associated with the Umpqua North Fire Complex suppression activities.

Summary: Evaluation included archaeological excavation of 5 cubic meters, resulting in:

  • 42 flaked obsidian, chert, and basalt tools
  • 4902 pieces of obsidian, chert, and basalt debitage
  • 4 groundstone manuports
  • 142 faunal bone specimens

These materials indicate an indigenous group used this location for habitation, plant processing, textile working, and tool maintenance. Although projectile point types and carbon-14 dates indicate the site was occupied from 2000 to 200 years ago, occupation was probably not limited to this period alone.