BLM, students participate in archaeological excavation

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Green River District Office and Arizona State University are conducting the second annual archaeological excavation at a historic site in Nine Mile Canyon with students from Utah.

The public is invited to visit the excavation site while the work is being done.

“The BLM is proud to be a part of a project that introduces Utah students to the history of Nine Mile Canyon and natural resource management,” BLM Assistant Field Office Manager Amber Koski said. “It is important to share the rich cultural and natural history of this area with future generations.”

Excavation at the site will be conducted over five weekends starting Labor Day weekend. Each weekend, students will camp near the site, excavate a Fremont pit structure, tour nearby rock art sites, make clay pots, and listen to speakers from archaeology and historical organizations.

The excavation will be a hands-on experience, working side by side with archaeologists, educators and volunteers. Experts will be on hand to tour the site and answer questions.

Partners include Montgomery Archaeological Consultants, Colorado Plateau Archaeological Alliance, Utah State University Eastern Prehistoric Museum, Utah Division of State History, Nine Mile Canyon Settlers Association, Nine Mile Canyon Coalition, Project Discovery Utah, Utah Rock Art Research Association, Project Archaeology and the Utah Statewide Archaeological Society (Castle Valley Chapter).

For more information about the project go to https://ninemilevolunteer.weebly.com. For directions to visit the site during the excavation, call Dave Christensen at the BLM Price Field Office at 435-636-3600.

Public invited to visit historic site