A preliminary inventory of National Park Service paleontological resources in a cultural context, Part 1: General Overview
Kenworthy JP and Santucci VL. 2006. A preliminary inventory of National Park Service paleontological resources in a cultural context, Part 1: General Overview. Pages 70-76. In Lucas SG, Spielmann JA, Hester PM, Kenworthy JP, Santucci VL: America'a Antiquities: 100 Years of Managing Fossils on Federal Lands. NMMNH&S Bulletin 34. Albuquerque, New Mexico. May 22-23, 2006. Albuquerque, New Mexico. Seventh Fossil Resource Conference
At least 180 National Park Service areas preserve paleontological resources. While most of these fossils are found in situ, some are “exposed” in cultural resource contexts. This paper serves as the first in a series that, together, will form a preliminary inventory of National Park Service fossils found in cultural resource contexts. These contexts include archeological resources, ethnographic stories and legends, prehistoric and historic structures and other documented historical occurrences. Fossils are found as tools, jewelry or other spiritual items in National Park Service archeological sites. Ethnographic stories and legends told by American Indians and “mountain men” of the American West also incorporate fossils found within areas now administered by the National Park Service. Many building stones found in prehistoric and historic structures of the National Park Service display fossils including body fossils, trace fossils and petrified wood. In addition, various archives, journals, memoirs and photographs include numerous other historical accounts of fossils in areas of the National Park Service. This paper introduces the concept for an inventory of such occurrences, highlights a few examples and aims to encourage park staff and researchers to view paleontological resources with regards to the cultural resource contexts where they may occur.
- Type
- Conference Proceeding Paper
- Authors
- Kenworthy, Jason; Santucci, Vincent
- Units
- AGFO , BIBE , CASA , COLO , FLFO , GETT , GEWA , GRCA , GRD , HOCU , LECL , NAMA , PEFO , ULSG , VAFO , VICK , WAMO , YELL
- Keywords
- archeological resources, Building Stone, Cultural Resources, Ethnography, Fossil, Fossils, Historic Structures, Inventory, National Park Service, NPS, Paleontology, prehistoric structures, Resource Management
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Geology and Soils | Paleontology | Paleontology