Lamb Spring Archaeological Preserve: Unique Educational Opportunities for

K-12 Douglas County Students

Presented to the Douglas County School Board, Castle Rock, Colorado, June 15, 2010

Craig M. Lee, Ph.D., RPALamb Spring Archaeological Preserve

AndMetcalf Archaeological Consultants, Inc.

Goals

1) Review the history and significance of the Lamb Spring site;

2) Introduce you to the Lamb Spring Board and recap our mission;

3) Posit directions for future interactions.

Overview Map

Ice Age Animals

Ice Age fauna were discovered at the site by Mr. Charles Lamb in 1960.

Formal investigations were conducted by the USGS and the Smithsonian, including LSAP Board member Dr. Dennis Stanford.

The area in green depicts the extent of the spring deposits where the remains of the Ice Age animals are located.

History and Significance of the Site

• 1995 - The Archaeological Conservancy took control of the 35 acres containing Lamb Spring;

• 2002 - Drs. James Dixon and Paul Murphy excavated a mammoth skull found previously by Dr. Dennis Stanford.;

• The excavated skull was transported to DMNS where scientists created a cast and mold. The original specimen is housed at DMNS;

• The mammoth was likely a juvenile male or female that died about 13,000 years ago.

History and Significance of the Site

Recent Research

In March 2010 Dr. Steven Holen, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, traveled to the Smithsonian to examine extant collections and obtain samples for radiocarbon dating by AMS.

We also plan to inventory and stabilize a series of sediment cores taken at the site in the 1990s.

History and Significance of the Site

Holocene SitesAfter mammoths and other Ice Age animals became extinct, people hunted and killed bison at the spring sometime between 8,500 and 9,000 years ago – Cody Complex occupation.

Areas in red identify locales were artifacts have been found on the surface. The rectangle in center denotes the area of spring deposits.

History and Significance of the Site

Lamb Spring Archaeological Preserve Board

Scientific Members• Dr. E. James Dixon• Dr. Russel Graham• Dr. Craig M. Lee• Dr. Dennis Stanford

Community Members• Steve Boand• Annette Fante• John Hayes• Erik Jensen• Dr. Barbara Page• Harold Smethills

Recent Milestones1) Our website is up and running

(http://www.douglas.co.us/lambspring/);

2) We established Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) eligibility;

3) We submitted an SCFD project proposal;

4) We worked with Colorado Center For Community Development (CCCD) on a Draft Site Plan.

Scientific and Cultural Facilities District

• Established Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) eligibility;

• Submitted a modest SCFD project proposal for on-site educational interpretation - cast display and educational panels;

Draft Master Plan

– Still very much a draft;– It will be distributed to

Douglas County and the Archeological Conservancy for feedback in due course.

Draft Master PlanColorado Center For Community Development (CCCD)

Survey of similar facilities

• -Dinosaur National Monument

• population: 20,000• annual attendance: 120,000 -

137,00080% school groups20% tourists / local

residents

• -Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, SD

• population: 86,000• annual attendance: 118,000

5% school groups95% tourists /

local residents

Attendance Considerations for an Interpretive Center at Lamb Spring• High percentage of Denver-area residents and tourists

visit museums;• SCFD - Scientific and Cultural Facilities District• Lamb Spring Museum could interface directly with

Douglas County Schools;• Very few museums in the U.S. incorporate visible

excavations and scientific work into exhibits and educational programs;

• Proximity to other attractions (Chatfield State Park – (ca. 1.5 million visitors annually) and Roxborough State Park).

Recap1) The LSAP Board wants to maintain School Board and

community awareness and support for the Lamb Spring Preserve and a vision for its use;

2) We want to see the significant educational opportunities for K-12 students at the site come to fruition;

3) We want to maintain our positive relationship with the Douglas County schools Superintendent and with key Learning Services staff to ensure that appropriate and relevant opportunities for students are identified and acted on.