Aboriginal Antelope Traps 2017 - Passport in Time

Go to content

Main menu:

Current Projects > 2017
Wyoming - Newcastle FO
Closed! Aboriginal Antelop Trap in the Wyoming Black Hills

Devils_Tower_aerial.jpg By Doc Searls from Santa Barbara, USA (2010_11_06_sfo-bos_312  Uploaded by PDTillman) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Aerial photo of the Devils Tower and surrounds


WY-4345
August 6-19, 2017 (including weekends)

Selection preference given to those who commit to entire session

This project is located near Devil’s Tower along the edge of the Black Hills in a remote area of northeastern Wyoming. The site is a Native American antelope trapping complex that includes juniper drive lines that lead into multiple pit traps and corrals. Some traps are simple V-shaped juniper structures that lead over a rise or saddle to a hidden trap. The trapping landscape also has prehistoric camp sites marked by scatters of stone tools and manufacturing debris. We have mapped some of the juniper wings on the trap landscape, but every time we conduct a field project, we find more drive lines! Volunteers on this project will assist archaeologists to survey more of the trap landscape to locate undiscovered trap structures and habitation sites. We will pin flag juniper logs in the drive lines and map them with GPS. We may also pin flag and record prehistoric camp sites. This is a very unique opportunity, as these types of trap lines are increasingly rare – we hope to see you this August!

Number of openings: 8

Special skills: Volunteers must be physically capable of hiking up to 5 miles per day, across uneven, gently sloping terrain, and in a variety of weather conditions; previous archaeological survey, mapping, GPS, and/or prehistoric stone artifact identification experience helpful, but not required

Minimum age: 18 years old

Facilities: Primitive tent and RV camping near site, no hookups; RVs must be able to traverse rutted dirt roads; chemical toilet provided by BLM; Hulett (40 minutes by gravel road) is a full-service community with motels, restaurants, and a range of other amenities; volunteers responsible for personal camping equipment, solar showers, food, water, and daily transportation to designated meeting area (if opting to stay off-site); sturdy (yet broken in) hiking boots suitable for avoiding prickly pear recommended

Nearest towns: Hulett, 21 miles; Devil’s Tower, 28 miles (7 miles beyond Hulett)

Applications due: Closed

View Aboriginal Antelope Traps in a full screen map

 
Back to content | Back to main menu