Three Colorado State University undergraduates assisted archaeologists studying the prehistory of Wyoming’s Wind River Range last summer. The students spent eight days at a camp near the tree line doing fieldwork and studying different prehistoric sites.

Anthropology major Emily Engelbert, English major Emerald Rawls, and psychology major Stevie Shock drew artifacts, mapped prehistoric sites in the Alpine zone, filled out site forms, and helped with camp chores.

The trio assisted archaeologists Matt Stirn and Rebecca Sgorous of the PaleoCultural Research Group and retired archaeologist Richard Adams. Research in the northern Winds River Range started in 2000 and continues today. The research goal for 2018 was to collect porous artifacts that might contain food residue. Previous research showed some lipids (fats) adhering to soapstone bowls, grinding stones, and clay pottery but the team was looking for more direct evidence of what foods were being prepared at these sites during prehistoric times.

During the 2018 session, a broken, but nearly complete, soapstone bowl and collapsed wooded wickiup were found. This finding was the highlight of the trip and will further archaeologists’ understanding of the prehistoric Alpine village.

The archaeological research at the Wind River Range was not the first hands-on learning experience the students have participated in while at CSU. Each demonstrated strong interest and a background knowledge in archaeology before joining the research team.