GEOPHYSICAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF THE CHAMPAGNE SPRINGS GROUP AND MITCHELL SPRINGS RUINS IN SOUTHWEST COLORADO

Non-invasive geophysical exploration and mapping of Anasazi pueblo ruins near Cortez and Dove Creek, Colorado, provided important information utilized during the archaeological investigation of these sites. Both sites exhibit ruins characterized by occasional burials and various residential and ceremonial structures, such as circular kivas often partially observable on the surface along with ceramic debris. This project represents a collaboration of archaeologists, geographers, geophysicists, and private landowners to provide insight into the prehistory of the peoples who occupied the Colorado Plateau area during the early to middle pueblo period, between AD900 - AD1000 by locating and investigating these ruins.

GPS point data, including detailed topography, were collected to establish an accurate coordinate system for grid development and to locate any artifacts identified during foot surveys. Subsurface imaging, using a variety of geophysical techniques, aided archaeological efforts to determine the location of buried structures such as kivas, pueblo walls, and fire pits. A compliment of EMI, geomagnetic, resistivity, and ground penetrating radar data provided numerous subsurface geophysical signatures. Interpretation of geophysical anomalies helped define optimal locations for excavations, thereby minimizing time in the field as well as site disturbance.