Archaeological Survey of Proposed Drill Hole Sites and Geologic Study Areas on the Nevada Test Site.

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PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Between May 1 and May 5, 1979, Donald Zerga, from the Desert Research Institute, University of Nevada System, Reno, conducted the archaeological survey of three proposed drill hole sites and three geologic study areas on the Nevada Test Site. These areas were surveyed for prehis toric and historic archaeological sites subject to possible direct or indirect impact. A brief description of individual survey areas, survey methodology, and archaeological sites follows. Prior to this survey, drill hole U19ab had been completed and capped. Most of the area surrounding U19ab had been previously disturbed by construc tion of U19p, which lies 800' northwest of U19ab. Undisturbed areas adjacent to U19ab were surveyed (100% coverage) for possible indirect impact by vehicle movement and construction crews. No cultural material was observed. No further mitigation is necessary. Total area surveyed, 11.89 hectares 606,294', EL.7000') were found to be in error. Therefore two separate areas Bobo of Holmes and Narver. Three isolated finds; 1 obsidian projectile point mid-section, 1 .quartzite flake, 1 chert flake, were located and collected within a 1000 meter area surrounding proposed drill site location (26NY1010). It is felt that these artifacts represent scattered cultural materials associated with previously

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recorded archaeological site 26NY949 which lies 200' east of survey area. No further mitigation is necessary as cultural materials were collected and this location of U19ac was later found to be incorrect and, therefore, out side of potential impact zone. Total area surveyed, 9.29 hectares (22.96 The proposed drill hole site, U19ac, lies 4/10 mile south of nuclear test site U19g. Due to the construction of U19g, most of the area north and west of the proposed drill site (U19ac) is highly disturbed. Previous road con struction on the ridge 300' east of proposed drill site forms the eastern boundary of the survey area. A 1000 meter area of pinyon-juniper-artemisia vegetation association surrounding the proposed drill site was transected at 20 meter intervals. The exposed basalt rimrock forming the adjacent ridge was inspected for possible rock shelters and/or petroglyphs. No cultural material was observed. No further mitigation is necessary. Total area sur veyed, 12.26 hectares (30.30 acres) (Map 3). The entire area of direct impact surrounding U19ad has been previously disturbed by nuclear test sites U19y and U19ys. Since drill rig is on loca tion and work is in progress, outlying areas adjacent to drill site location, i.e., access roads and along cable lines, were inspected for cultural materials subject to indirect impact due to vehicle and machinery movement and construction crews in area. Ground coverage was accomplished' by tran sects at 20 meter intervals parallel to roads and lines to a distance of 80 meters. No cultural material was observed. No further mitigation is neces sary. Total area surveyed, 8.17 hectares (20.20 acres) (Map 4).

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Frenchman Flat Geologic Study Area: At the direction of Jerry Hodson, geologist with Fenix and Scisson, two backhoe trenches will be dug to study alluvial deposition at the southern edge of Frenchman Flat. Prior to this survey, work on one of the trenches had begun. Ground coverage was accomplished by systematic circular tran sects at 20 meter intervals radiating out from the trench locations. Area between trenches [h x h mile) was surveyed by zig-zag transects to mitigate area over which backhoe would travel. No cultural material was observed. No further mitigation is necessary. Total area surveyed, 26.01 hectares Proposed Prow Pass Access Road: To facilitate the study of tuff outcroppings southeast of Prow Pass in*' the Yucca Mountain area, Fenix and Scisson geologists, propose the construc tion of an access road into the area. The proposed road, according to Mike Chernak of Fenix and Scisson, will follow the existing jeep trail up Yucca Wash. However, since the proposed road may deviate from existing roadbed, it is recommended that projects of this nature be surveyed and staked as to exact location in the future. In an effort to minimize the possibility of archaeological site disturbance, periodic spot checks of areas adjacent to proposed road were conducted. Four isolated artifacts; 2 unmodified rhyo lite flakes, 1 Paiute/Shoshone pottery fragment, 1 rhyolite bi-facial scraper were located in close conjunction with one another and collected by the road side (26NY1009). Secondary deposition of these artifacts is suggested by their proximity to the juncture of numerous ephemeral washes and the absence of any other cultural material in the immediate vicinity. Total area sur veyed, 18.21 hectares (45.00 acres) (Map 6).

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Yucca Wash Geologic Study Area: At the direction of Chuck Gordon, geologist with Fenix and Scisson, two backhoe trenches will be dug to conduct earthquake fault studies in the Yucca A 100 percent survey of the area surrounding the proposed trench loca tions yielded a large lithic scatter, presumably a prehistoric quarry site (26NY1011). Numerous high grade rhyolite cores and decertification flakes (20 per meter ) interspersed with obsidian thinning flakes suggest a multicomponent site of significant time depth. Many small activity loci were also noted. These loci represent specific activities, i.e., core prepara tion, tool manufacture, raw material collection, that were taking place on Since both trenches lie within the archaeological site boundary, it is necessary that mitigation procedures take place prior to trenching opera tions. Systematic test excavation, artifact collection and site recording will be conducted by a field crew directed by Lonnie C. Pippin of the Desert Research Institute, Reno. A final report and interpretation of this site will be submitted pending mitigation. Total area surveyed, 14.86 hectares (36.73 acres) (Map 7). We at the Desert Research Institute are greatful for the efforts of Mr. Larry Skousen in helping us protect and preserve a significant archaeological site. This writer wishes to acknowledge the assistance and cooperation of Auda Morrow, Alan Bobo, Wallace Hammer, Chuck Gordon, Mike Chernak and, especially Susan Cochran.

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Map 1. U.S.G.S. 7.5' Quad. Dead Horse Flat, Nevada. U19ab and archaeo logical survey area.

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Map 2. U.S.G.S. 7.5’ Quad. Dead Horse Flat, Nevada. (26NY1010) and survey area. Archaeological site

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Map 3. U.S.G.S. 7.51 Quad. Dead Horse Flat, Nevada. U19ac and archaeo logical survey area.

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U.S.G.S. 7.5' Quad. Dead Horse Flat, Nevada logical survey area. U19ad and archaeo

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Map 5. U.S.G.S. 7.5' Quad. Frenchman Flat, Nevada. Proposed backhoe trench locations and archaeological survey area.

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Map 6. U.S.G.S 7.5' Quad. Topopah Spring N.W., Nevada. Proposed road into tuff area, archaeological survey area and site (26NY1009).

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Map 7 U.S.G.S. 7.5' Quad. Topopah Spring S.W., Nevada. Proposed back hoe trench locations and approximate archaeological site boundary

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Addendum to Skousen Report 5/30/7,9 In addition to the archaeological sites described above, two other sites were located during the survey. Since both sites lie outside of area of immediate impact, it is felt that no mitigative procedures are necessary at this time. Both sites were recorded according to "Phase I" procedures only, i.e., site location plotted on U.S.G.S. Topographic Quadrangle map, brief site annotation, and collection of diagnostic artifacts. The site is located on a series of tufaceous bedrock shelves forming the base of a low knoll rising above the pinyon-juniper-blackbrush steppe, 3/4 mile northeast of Yucca Wash. The site is approximately 90 meters (N/S) by 60 meters (E/W). The prehistoric site is apparently a special use area with only temporary or periodic occupation indicated. Numerous imported and indigenous rhyolite nodules showing primary reduction (core reduction) sug gest preform manufacture activities on the site. The site is located on a low southwestern-facing knoll just west of a predominant tuff outcrop 1 mile west of Prow Pass. The prehistoric site consists of a light lithic scatter of obsidian, rhyolite and chert flakes in a 60 meter (N/S) by 60 meter (E/W) area of sagebrush-blackbrush vegeta tion association. Further analysis of artifacts is necessary to establish site function. One obsidian bi-face fragment and one obsidian projecti^ef; point base were collected on the site (Pinto Basin Series).

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Addendum to Skousen Report 5/30/79 In addition to the archaeological sites described above, two other sites were located during the survey. Since both sites lie outside of area of immediate impact, it is felt that no mitigative procedures are necessary at this time. Both sites were recorded according to "Phase I" procedures only, i.e., site location plotted on U.S.G.S. Topographic Quadrangle map, brief site ai'iotation, and collection of diagnostic artifacts. The site is located on a series of tufaceous bedrock shelves forming the base of a low knoll rising above the pinyon-juniper-blackbrush steppe, 3/4 mile northeast of Yucca Wash. The site is approximately 90 meters (N/S) by 60 meters (E/W). The prehistoric site is apparently a special use area with only temporary or periodic occupation indicated. Numerous imported and indigenous rhyolite nodules showing primary reduction (core reduction) sug gest preform manufacture activities on the site. The site is located on a low southwestern-facing knoll just west of a predominant tuff outcrop 1 mile west of Prow Pass. The prehistoric site consists of a light lithic scatter of obsidian, rhyolite and chert flakes in a 60 meter (N/S) by 60 meter (E/W) area of sagebrush-blackbrush vegeta tion association. Further analysis of artifacts is necessary to establish site function. One obsidian bi-face fragment and one obsidian projectile point base were collected on the site (Pinto Basin Series).