Taos Junction Bridge Area Project & Potluck!!!!!

OK gang, we'll be doing our Taos Junction Bridge research and survey work this next weekend, Friday, Sat. & Sunday (plus a Saturday Potluck).  If you can join us please email Becky Quintana, at  mackcampbell1@msn.com   We'll be starting at 9:30 each morning.  Please let Becky know which day (or days) you'll be abe to join us, and also if you plan on camping down at Rio Bravo Campground.  Take a look at this webpage to see where we'll be working - the site is just before the "Road Closed" section on the map, north of the bridge: http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medialib/blm/nm/programs/recreation/rec_docs.Par.57902.File.dat/OVREC_Broch.pdf

Here's the basic information about the project:

There's currently a small team of TAS members working with the BLM to identify some historic structures near the Taos Junction Bridge.  Right now, they are doing extensive research, trying to date the 5 structures (nothing left at this time but rock/cement foundations) and trying to identify their purpose and use.  There are also a number of petroglyphs in the same area that need to be recorded.   

We’d like to assemble a team of fellow TAS members who would like to help out on this project.  Below is an overview of what we think the project and associated tasks might look like.  We’ve scheduled this work for the weekend of October 1^st, 2^nd, & 3^rd.  

Field Work Opportunities - Taos Junction Bridge Area Project: 

Three field work phases: 

• Map the historic structures; complete an overall historic site map and in-field historic artifact analysis.  We will do this as a series of measured plan maps for each structure (5 foundations), based on plans done a number of years ago. 
• Map the Rock art on the site plan map. 
• Re-record rock art.   This will be done as a separate project, probably after the historic buildings mapping phase.

We will start out with a training session on one structure with a tape and wire flag grid, and if we have enough people we will get several crews doing the mapping.  If we still have more people, we can start a crew doing surface artifact inventory, using GPS for location and a written description and digital photo of each artifact.

Deliverables:

• Interpretive materials.  Put together a tri-fold brochure with a site map and existing historical information.  This could be used by the BLM to educate the public about the Taos Junction Bridge Area.  As a "prospectus" this might result in getting help from local people for more historic material.
• Updated Rock Art recording site forms.  We should start looking at revising and updating the site form based on the field work and archival work.

If you think you'd like to join this team, please let us know.  Some of you may want to stay at the campground near Pilar for that weekend, perhaps others coming down for a day or two to help.  And, we'll have a potluck dinner Saturday evening!

If this sounds like a fun project, please send an email to  Becky Quintana - mackcampbell1@msn.com

Thanks, CJ