Results of Archeological Metal Detection Sample Survey Within Sand Creek Massacre NHS: Identification of the Big Head Site

Cannon, Kenneth; Pearl, Jonathan; Campbell, Jeff; Haecker, Charles; Lamb, Joseph; USU Archeological Services, Inc.; National Park Service

USU Archeological Services (USUAS) conducted a metal detection survey in the southwest ¼ of Section 24 and the northwest ¼ of Section 25, Township 17S, Range 46 W in an effort to locate material remains from an engagement between members of the 3rd Regiment Calvary, Colorado Volunteers and about 25 to 30 Cheyenne and Arapaho associated with Cheyenne warrior Big Head. The metal detection survey location was based upon interpretive work of primary historical sources, geomorphology, and archeological evidence by researcher Jeff Campbell of Eads, Colorado. Mr. Campbell’s research concludes that physical evidence of this engagement, referred to as the Big Head Incident, exists buried in the loess deposits to the west of the village site. This work was authorized and administered through the Rocky Mountains Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Cooperative Agreement Number H1200-09-0004 to Utah State University and subcontracted to USUAS (Subaward #12010301). The USUAS crew consisted of Kenneth Cannon, Jonathan Peart and Joseph Lamb, along with Charles Haecker of the National Park Services Heritage Partnerships Program. Work was conducted from 14-17 October 2011. The metal detection survey consisted of 20-m transects oriented east-west from the western park boundary to the edge of the bluff which corresponds roughly with the 4000-foot contour. A total of 133 acres were surveyed. The metal detection survey consisted of a team of 2-3 people with one person operating the detector and the others pin-flagging any ‘hits’. These hits were then excavated with initial identification to discern if they were potentially associated with the massacre based upon temporal characteristics. Most of the hits identified post-date the massacre and were collected and discarded. Items of potential interest were mapped in place and collected. Mapping was conducted using a Topcon HiPER Pro RKT (Real Time Kinematic) unit. Although hundreds of metal hits were excavated during the metal detection phase of this project, the vast majority of artifacts could be convincingly associated with modern ranching-related activities, and consequently were not recorded. These artifacts included barbed-wire, smooth-wire, metal scrap, fence staples and nails, car parts, and modern cans. Only seven artifacts were collected as a result of the 2011 metal detection survey. These artifacts include a possible whetstone, a modified railroad spike, two modern copper-jacketed bullets, a deformed piece of lead shot, a brass ring possibly from a pocket-watch or binocular, and a .40 caliber lead bullet. No compelling evidence for the Big Head incidence was found during the metal detection survey. This area has been proposed for a hiking trail as part of the park management plan and our results indicate that no further work needs to be conducted prior to the development of this overview trail.

Results of Archeological Metal Detection Sample Survey Within Sand Creek Massacre NHS: Identification of the Big Head Site

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