Mariposa Ranch Survey, New Mexico

1998-1999

This was a planning study to initiate what will ultimately be a multi-phase planned community development. Section 106 compliance is expected to be required to obtain a Section 404 permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under the Clean Water Act.

Survey of the extensive project area was facilitated by high-quality digital aerial photography that allowed high-precision plotting of archaeological site locations.

Much of the past use of this project area was during pre-ceramic times, and flaked stone tools were the most common artifacts. Projectile points were encountered at many sites and documented use of the area for at least 4,000 years.

The arid project area had no springs or permanent streams. Areas of stabilized sand dunes showed repeated short-term use during the Late Archaic. Limited use of the area by Rio Grande Puebloan groups was also noted. The 10-square-mile survey resulted in recording of 213 sites and 571 isolated occurrences.

Public involvement is planned for future phases of this project.

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