Lower Salmon River

Archaeological Field School on Lower Salmon River Site in Idaho

On June 23, 2009, in partnership with Oregon State University (OSU), the BLM established an eight-week archaeological field school at Cooper’s Ferry; located on the Salmon River at the junction of the Graves Creek Road just 30 minutes from Cottonwood, ID. The field school, funded through a BLM challenge cost share program, will allow students from OSU, under the direction of Dr. Loren Davis, to excavate an area and gather data about how people lived in the canyon thousands of years ago. You are welcome to visit the Cooper’s Ferry project. Interpretive tours will be given to visitors during the crews’ scheduled work hours listed below.  Archeological excavations began on June 23 and will continue through August 11 on a Wednesday to Sunday schedule from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with a break for lunch between 12:00 and 12:30 p.m. This schedule will allow the field crew to host visitors during peak recreation times, such as weekends, and to work during the cooler part of the day. OSU will close the site by backfilling the excavated area on August 12. The area will continue to be closely monitored to prevent vandalism and damage to the area.  Click here to see news release of recent vandalism to area.  Click here for 2008 Field School Information.

More Links

Summary of Early Idaho Archaeologic Sites

Cultural Chronology of the Lower Salmon River (pdf), DAVIS, Loren G., Department of Anthropology, Oregon State University

Measuring Late Quaternary Geoecological Relationships In The Lower Salmon River Canyon, Idaho, DAVIS, Loren G., Department of Anthropology, Oregon State University

Geoarchaeological Perspectives and Archaeological Interpretations of Prehistoric Hunter-Gatherer Cultural Behavior in the Lower Salmon River Canyon, Idaho, DAVIS, Loren G., Department of Anthropology, Oregon State University

Mussels record paleoclimates

Evidence of the past can be easily damaged by current activities. Along the Lower Salmon River the degree of damage from various sources of deterioration is accelerating. Thus, public land users must be more aware of what the cultural resources represent, how irreplaceable these resources are, and what actions each person can take to ensure evidence of past human activity is not destroyed. We hope your activities along the Lower Salmon River are enjoyable and that the people who preceded you left the environment in a condition suitable for your use, as we hope you leave it for those who follow you.