Back to MWAC Publications

This report presents the descriptive and analytical results of an archeological survey of Arches National Park in southeast Utah (Utah Project No. U87-NA-054N). A total of 26 sites and 69 isolated artifact finds was recorded in the 1,160 acres surveyed during August 1987. This report is produced in cooperation with the National Park Service, Midwest Archeological Center, in accordance with Supplemental Agreement No. CA-6115-7-8008 and in furtherance of Master Cooperative Agreement No. CA-6000-4-8020 between the National Park Service, Midwest Region, and the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.

Arches National Park encompasses a broad range of geological formations and microenvironments. The Park is bounded to the north by Salt Valley and Salt Wash and to the south by Courthouse Wash. Elevations range from 4,100 ft (1,250 m) to 5,500 ft (1,676 m). Vegetation is generally sparse within the Park. The archeological resources recorded during this survey included lithic scatters, several rock shelters, a pictograph/petroglyph panel, and an historic site. The survey data is outlined descriptively, and evaluated using descriptive and analytic statistics.

The purpose of the project was to conduct an intensive pedestrian survey in order to locate archeological resources in areas which might be adversely affected by future maintenance and development in the Park. Also, this report is intended to serve Park personnel as a cultural resource management tool. Effective management and interpretation of these archeological resources can be based, in part, on some of the study results presented in this document.