Class III Cultural Resources Reconnaissance of Drill Pad U20AN, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada. Short Report

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BEST AVAILABLE COPY 0600128 DESERT RESEARCH INSTITUTE CULTURAL RESOURCES RECONNAISSANCE Class III cultural resources reconnaissance of drill pad U20an, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada. GEOGRAPHIC AND NTS AREA: Pahute Mesa, Area 20. U.S.G.S. Silent Butte 7.5' Topographic Quadrangle, Nye County, DATES OF FIELD RECONNAISSANCE: June 28 and July 6, 1983. Ronald L. Reno, Dennis Bill, Keith Myhrer, Cari Lockett, Vera Morgan, and Greg Henton. PREVIOUS CULTURAL RESOURCE STUDIES IN AREA: In 1978 the Archaeological Research Center, University of Nevada, Las Vegas conducted a sample survey of this portion of the Nevada Test Site. One of the 1/8 x 1 mile (80 acre) transects was close to the present project area. Two archaeological sites (26Nyl417 and 26Nyl419) were recorded near the northern end of this northsouth trending transect (Figure 1). These sites are a small and large (.2 mile) lithic scatter respectively. Desert Research Institute, Reno has done cultural resources reconnaissances of three drill pads, a seismic line, and a borrow pit within a 3.5 mile radius of the project area (Cultural SR070682-1, and SR120882-1. No sites were recorded in the survey BEST AVAILABLE COPY i

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BEST AVAILABLE COPY Figure 1. Location map, cultural resources reconnaissance of drill pad U20an, Pahute Mesa, Nye County, Nevada. BEST AVAILABLE COPY ' 1 KILOMETER

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BEST AVAILABLE COPY areas about 1 mile west of the current project area. Sites in the locations to the south consisted of isolates and lithic scatters. This part of Pahute Mesa, which.is covered by a low growth of shrubs and occasional stands of juniper with occasional pinyon, has a much lower site density than that of Area 19 to the east, which has large stands of pinyon pine. The project area is located on top of Pahute Mesa at elevations ranging from 6320 to 6520 feet. Minor topography is dominated by a series of blocks separated by north-south trending faults which are downthrown on the west sides resulting in steep western escarpments and gentle eastern slopes, both of which have been somewhat eroded by fluvial action. The ridgetops on the northern half of the project area are composed of welded tuff of the Trail Ridge Member, Thirsty Canyon Tuff. Most of the bedrock, including the 20-40 foot high rimrock on the southwest side of hill 6520+, is welded to nonwelded tuff of the upper part of the Spearhead Member, Thirsty Canyon Tuff. Nearly all of the west half of the project area is on the Ammonia Tanks Member of the Timber Mountain Tuff. All of these units are Pliocene in age (Ekren et al_ 1966). Although the innitial directions of drainages in the project area include all of the points of the compass, all shortly turn to the north to join various tributaries of Silent Canyon and eventually reach Gold Flat. . Fauna observed included jackrabbits (Lepus californicus), small birds, and 1 male mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). Numerous deer tracks and rodent burrows were also present. Abundant plants include black sagebrush (Artemesia nova), big sagebrush (Artemesia tridentata), several species of locoweed (Astragalusspp.) including large numbers of rare Aj_ beatleyae, and needle-and-thread grass (Stipa comata). Plants commonly glabrata). Other plants present include paintbrush (Castilleja erinacea), squirreltail (Sitanion Hystrix), desert mallow osteosperma) and pinyon (Pinus monophylla) cover much of the northeast portion of the project area (see the woodland shading The center point of the survey area was flagged and additional BEST AVAILABLE COPY

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flags were in place 1500’ out from the center in the cardinal directions. A 3000' square centered on the spudding point was surveyed by parallel north-south 30 m interval transects. All sites found were recorded on site inventory forms and were systematically collected. Collection was by 4x4 m units tied to one another by polar coordinates. A sample unit form was also completed for the entire pad recording methods and environmental BEST AVAILABLE COPY IDENTIFIED CULTURAL RESOURCES: Nine archaeological sites were found (Figure 1). These sites include three isolated finds and six lithic scatters. S062883RR2 occupies much of the saddle at the spudding point. Most of the 16 artifacts that make up this site were located in a 4x10 m area at the southwest end of the saddle. S062883RR3 is a linear scatter of chert flakes on top of rimrock near the northern end of the project area. In addition to the 87 lithic artifacts is a concentration of 38 fragments from a S062883RR4 is the largest site found during the survey, composed of about 100 chert and obsidian flakes in a 60x80 m area. S062883RR5 is located a short distance up a wash from S062883RR4. The 5 chert flakes and shatter found are larger and represent an earlier stage in toolstone production than is found at most of the other sites, which are characterized by biface thinning flakes. Also, 5 fragments of a brownware pot were collected. S062883RR7 is 43 artifacts in a 20x60 m area. All artifacts are chert with the exception of 1 obsidian flake and an obsidian biface which is nearly to the point of being a finished projectile point, probably a Rose Spring Corner Notched. S062883RR9 is 10 artifacts including large flakes and a split cobble. All artifacts are chert except for an obsidian biface edge which appears to be the result of an attempt to re-shape an S062883RR1 is a Stage III obsidian biface tip found beneath some low north facing rimrock. S062883RR6 and S062883RR8 are white chert primary flakes. SITE EVALUATIONS AND STATEMENTS OF SIGNIFICANCE: BEST AVAILABLE COPY

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The only significance these sites has lies in their potential for contributing data to the scientific study of past lifeways through the spatial analysis of the remains and the analysis of the construction of the lithics and potsherds themselves. There is no indication that any of these sites posesses a subsurface component consisting of anything more than a few artifacts mixed in the soft aeolian soil which in most places only thinly BEST AVAILABLE COPY ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS: About a 500' diameter drill pad will be bulldozed in the center of the project area and a cableway and park for monitoring equipment will be bulldozed out to a 1500' radius to the southeast. Most of the rimrock in this area that may have held shelters has already been collapsed by previous blasts. About an 800 foot radius around the drill hole will be destroyed by a subsidence crater, bulldozing, fence building, and vehicular RECOMMENDED PROCEDURES FOR THE PROTECTION OF CULTURAL RESOURCES: All sites have been collected with the exception of S062883RR4 and S062883RR6. Both of these sites are outside of the zone of direct impact and the former site is within a portion of the project area that is being avoided due to the presence of a rare plant. Avoidance is recommended for S062883RR4. The other site is an isolate that will probably escape destruction. Its research significance is sufficiently small that no special effort to avoid it is justified. . Bergin, Kathleen et al. 1979 Final Report on the 1978 Archaeological Investigations of the Nellis Air Force Bombing and Gunnery Ranges, Nye, Lincoln, and Clark Counties, Nevada. Archaeological Research Center, Museum of Natural History, Univ. of Nevada, Las Vegas. Ekren, E.B. et al. 1966 Geologic Map of the Silent Butte Quadrangle, Nye BEST AVAILABLE COPY

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DESERT RESEARCH INSTITUTE BEST AVAILABLE COPY Project U20an Permanent Site No. Access/1 ocation ^rom Mesa road, west, turn right at Area 20 Camp on dirt road, drive 2 m. Site is .3 miles north, below rimrock. 3. Site Type Isolate Description 1 obsidian biface fragmpnt. Stage III, tip. Broken in bending, .3, Nature of Boundaries _______ ______________ 14. Disturbance Rimrock collapse .5. Artifact Assemblage fa) Sample Method and Size 100$ collection_____________ 15. Collected Materials 1 biface 19. Shelter 2 meter high rimrock 23. Slope of Site 35 22. Substrate and Bedrock Colluvium Address Mercury, Nevada

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BEST AVAILABLE COPY ogp Silent Butte Quad, 7-5' at Area 20 Carap on dirt road. flakes (chert and obsidian) are east facing slope and saddle. Small concentration of chert biface thinning flakes (7) collected as reference )?5. 2. Nature of Boundaries Diffuse to clear 14. Di sturbance vehicle track to sPud Point: 5. Artifact Assembnoe 15. ’ Sample Method and area with 100% surface collection usingr,,' compass and tape from center point of pad. Haphazard survey to determine site '.3. Landform East facing slope and saddle of ridge top_____________________________ 20. Slope of Site 0 ~ 9°____________________ 21. Exposure Direction se 115° Rabbit scats, deer tracks and scats Address Mercury, Nevada 27. Photos: BW None Hone to

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BEST AVAILABLE COPY Acamptopappus shockleyi Krameria parvifolia Amaranthus fimbriatus tarred tridentata Ambrosia dumosa Lepidium sp. Amsinckia tessellata Lomatium nevadense A Artemesia nova Lupinus sp. A. spinescens Lycium andersonii Atriplex canescens Menodora spinescens 3alsamorhiza hookeri Opuntia basilaris Bromus rubens 0. echinocarpa Bromus tectorum P 0. erinacea P Castilleja chromosa Oryzopsis hymenoides Ceratoides lanata Phacelia spp. Cheonopodium spp. Polygala subspinosa P Chrysothamnus nauseosis Psorothamnus fremontii Cleome serrulata Sitanion hystrix Coleogyne ramosissima P Sphaeralcea ambigua Cowania mexicana Sporobolus spp. P Ephedra nevadensis Stephanomeria parryi Gilia spp. fucca. baccata Grayia spinosa Y. brevifolia Halogeton glomeratus A Perennial grass 3 MOST DOMINANT SPP.(alphabetic order):

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BEST AVAILABLE COPY All units 2 tn. radius from center point OTHER Isolate, etc BEST AVAILABLE COPY

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Si'- in r or v Form BEST AVAILABLE COPY Access/Location From Pahute Mesa vest, turn right at Area 20 Camp on dirt road, drive 2 miles. Site is .25miles north. wash with a small concentration of about 6 obsidian flakes at the northern edge of site. Density up to 3 flakes/m^ but most of site is diffuse area & intensive wander in si^f) Description 8. Landform East side of shallow drainage .9. Shelter Juniper trees ;Q. Slope of Site 3-7 21. Exposure Direction S3 175° 22. Substrate and Bedrock ■irain eolian soi- on top of welded tuff BEST AVAILABLE COPY 29. Date 06-28-8328. Recorded by Reno

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BEST AVAILABLE COPY Project UPOan Permaneru Site No. State Nevada v,oun t; v Nye 5. Temporary Site No.S062883RN^ Map Silent Butte Quad, 7-5' Access/Location From Pahute Mesa vest, turn right at Area ?0 Camp on dirt road, drive 2 miles. Site is 2 miles north. • Site Type Lithic/pottery Scatter Cescription Located on a SE facing slope. Site _____ occurs on rocky surface____ Sherds are from 1 crudware pot.____________ 7 artifacts found in addition to the sherds. . Nature of Boundaries E-LUSlve 14. Disturbance None 5. Coliecteo Materials Pot sherds, one obsidian flake. 3. Landform Side of shallow drainage 9. Shelter Scarce trees :0. Slope of Site 21. Exposure Direction SE lLoc ’2. Substrate and Bedrock Thin eolian soil on top of welded tuff 25. Owner usdoe 75, Address Mercury. Nevada 27. Photos: BW None to . Color None BEST AVAILABLE COPY^ to 28. Recorded by Reno 29. Date 06-P8-83

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BEST AVAILABLE COPY Archaeological Sice Cont i miac i mi Shevt . Vej'ei ;it ion pane 2 ol 2 Acamptopappus shockleyi Krameria parvifolia Amaranthus fimbriatus l.arrea tridentata Ambrosia dumosa Lepidium sp. Amsinckia tessellata Lomatium nevadense Artemesia nova Lupinus sp. A. spinescens Lycium andersonii Atriplex canescens Menodora spinescens 3alsamorhiza hookeri Opuntia basilaris Bromus rubens 0. echinocarpa Bromus tectorum P 0. erinacea P Castilleja chromosa Oryzopsis hymenoides Ceratoides lanata Phacelia spp. Cheonopodium spp. Polygala subspinosa Chrysothamnus nauseosis Psorothamnus fremontii Cleome serrulata A Sitanion hystrix Coleogyne ramosissima Sphaeralcea ambigua Cowania mexicana Sporobolus spp. Ephedra nevadensis Stephanomeria parryi Eriogonum (.shrubs) Tetradymia axillaris Gilia spp. Yucca baccata Haplopappus sp. A Juniperus occidentalis Kochia americana Needle grass------------------------ ASSOCIATION: REST AVAILABLE COPY 3 MOST DOMINANT SPP.(alphabetic order): Artemesia tridentata. Juniperus occidentalis, Pinus monophylla

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State Neve da_________4. Countv ?jye_____________ 5. Temporary Site No. S062883RR6 Access/Location From Pahute Mesa west, ttsrn right at Area 20 Camp on dirt road,_____ drive 2 miles. Site is .2 miles north. . Site Type Isolate • Oescri ptionwhite cherfc primary flake BEST AVAILABLE COPY 5. Artifact Assemblage (a) Sample Method and Size 30m. transects through area .3. Landform Sie of low rise on top of Pahute Mesa 10. Slope of Site 21. Exposure Direction North 22. Substrate and Bedrock Thin eolian soil or. welded tuff 25. Owner usdoe 25. Address Mercury. Nevada BEST AVAILABLE COPY^ to 29. Date 06-?8-8328. Recorded by Reno

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BEST AVAILABLE COPY Access/locafion From Pahute Mesa west, turn right at Area ?0 Camp on dirt road, drive miles. Site is miles north. . Site Type Lithic Scatter__________ ; description Predominantly white chert flakes scattered over a large area. 43 artifacts total. Most are biface thinning. 1 obsidian flake & 1 obsidian Stage IV biface with platform preparation in corners suggesting intent to make a Rose Spring Corner Notched proj. pt. ;. Nature of Boundaries Diffuse________________ 14. Disturbance Road thru site________ witn tape & compass, 4x4m units, (p) Description 5. Collected Materials Flakes - see reference log 3. Landform SE slope and small drainage 12. Substrate and Bedrock Moderately deep eolian soil overlying welded tuff BEST AVAILABLE COPY ----- 23. Recorded by Reno

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BEST AVAILABLE COPY A r cl).'iii o lot; ica I Site Clonl iimal imi 3 MOST DOMINANT SPP.(alphabetic order) p Salsola kali just off site ; Artemesia tridentata. Artemesia nova Slii'i'i. at i on page 3 of 3

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BEST AVAILABLE COPY Access/Location From Paiiute Mesa west, turn right at Area 20 Cnmp on dirt road,____ drive 2 miles. Site is *2 miles north. 3. Nature of Boundaries n/a_______________ 14. Disturbance None 3. Artifact Assemblage (a) Sample Method and Size ____________________ 5. Collected Materials 1 flake :0. Slope of Site 21. Exposure Direction E90c 12. Substrate and Bedrock Thin eolian soil over welded tuff 25. Owner usdoe '5. Address Mercury- Nevada. 29. Date 06-?8-8328. Recorded by Reno

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BEST AVAILABLE COPY Tetradymia axil laris 3 MOST DOMINANT S BEST AVAILABLE COPY

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Access/Location From Pahute Mesa west, turn right at Area 20 Camp on dirt road, drive 2 miles. Site is .2 miles north. .0. Site Type Lithic Scatter___________ ; Description Flakes , all roughly made & large, 1 split cobble. All artifacts chert except 1 obsidian biface edge which appears to be the result of an attempt to rework an old artifact. 10 artifacts in all. II. Area ________________________ 12. Estimated Depth 5 cml____________ / Surface mix 13. Nature of Boundaries Gradual________________ 14. Disturbance None________________ 15. Artifact Assemblage (a) Sample Method and Sue 100^ collection_______________________ 16. Collected Materials See above______________________________________________________________ BEST AVAILABLE COPY 18. Landform pidge ton 19. Shelter Juniper trees 20. Slope of Site 21. Exposure Direction NE 50 22. Substrate and Bedrock Thin eolian soil over welded tuff 25. Owner USDOE 26. Address Mercury. Nevada 28. Recorded by Reno/Henton/Bill/Morgan ______ 29. Date 06-28-83

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BEST AVAILABLE COPY Arciiaco 3 o>: i cn I Site Conti labetic order) : Artemesia nova. Juniperus occidentalis

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BEST AVAILABLE COPY Project U?Ogn Permanent Site No. State Nevada _ountv Nve AcceSS/LocatiOn From Pahute Mesa west, turn right at Area 20 Camp on dirt road, drive 2 miles. Site is *28 miies north. minor drainage to the southeast, site contains brown sherds (crudware) and white ________ chert flakes. The sherds are from 1 pot and are concentrated near the edge of rimrock at the west end of the site. …