Four Corners Research - Archaeology in the Mesa Verde Region
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Eastern Illinois Univ Project
MAY 16-22  Total Station Mapping

Our association with Eastern Illinois University goes back to the year 2000 when we collaborated on remote sensing scans and total station mapping at Mitchell Springs.  From May 16 through 22, they will return for the purpose of expanding the project to include Wallace Ruin, and additional work at Champagne Spring and Mitchell Springs.  They will be accompanied by 4 total stations and a crew of 13. 


Click Champagne Spring Ruins Tab above for information about the history and status of the project.

Four Corners Research ® 7823 Road 25, Cortez, CO 81321    970-565-8758   ​ddove@fourcornersresearch.com
Jet Gaming Piece from Structure 46 at Champagne Spring Ruins - North Hill
A Second Jet Gaming Piece from Structure 46.at Champagne Spring Ruins - North Hill.  Apparently part of  the same set
From the screen.  Structure 36 Champagne Spring.
Bluff Black-on-red and Mancos Gray.  Note turkey tracks on sherd at lower left.
West end of Sector 11 great kiva. Note western floor vault and double bench. Arrow scale just outside the center of this vault is 25 cm long. Roofing a structure of this size is no small engineering feat. This roof was rebuilt and replaced at least once.
Pit Structure 6 measured approximately 8 meters across and was set ablaze without salvaging useable roof beams prior to burning. The Sector 11 great kiva was placed over the top of it.
The great kiva was built over the top of a burned over-size pit structure. Several tree-ring cutting dates of A.D. 787 were returned. Note adobe column-like addition to the bottom of NW main roof support post.
One of several quartz crystals from the west end of the great kiva. Hundreds of shell and turquoise beads were found in the upper and mid fill as was the highly processed and burned remains of at least 6 individuals.
Sector 11 great kiva, PD layout in EU 132. The lowermost PD was 20 cm thick and is located roughly 6 feet below modern ground surface. It is believed this structure was used and remodeled continuously for 150 years. Great Kivas often survive for many years longer than other subterannean structures
Shell and turquoise was quite abundant in the great kiva fill.
Knife blade from floor of great kiva in EU 132, beneath floor ramp
Portion of the south end of Sector 11 great kiva tested in 2002.
Turquoise bead from the floor fill below the roof of the Great kiva, EU 133.
Kiva 3 circa A.D. 950. This structure incorporated an unusual SW ventilator. Note the masonry style of this mid-tenth century early kiva. The wall niche at center-right in photo measures almost 25 cm across.
Small great house (Pueblo B) showing areas tested. This structure contains a 10+ meter diameter court kiva and multi story construction. Thick dashed line delineates the exterior of the building. A second kiva is located in the center-left of structure and was rebuilt in the 13th century.
2004 Glendale College Field School working in the western end of Sector 11. Excavations in 2003 tested 8 surface rooms and 3 pit structures or early kivas. This area of the site was occupied during the A.D. 850-950 period.
Excavators working on Seg 9 of Room 1 on the east end of the North Hill at Champagne Spring Ruins. This and other structures in the immediate area were abandoned around A.D. 950-1000.
Randi taking a short break from her work in Structure 37. In an unusual kiva closing ritual, numerous animals were buried inside and around a stone cairn feature which stood more than a meter tall.
Below the site in Squaw Canyon, this interesting petroglyph panel contains several mountain lion figures.
Sketching the floor plan and floor features of Structure 46 at Champagne Spring. Floor had unusual floor grooves and 5 sets of paired post holes. Some of these may have been used to anchor an altar or altars that could be moved during ceremonies. Note burned roof in strata,
Structure 37 during excavations in the south end of this kiva. Over 40 animals were sacrificed and then buried. The work is very slow due to the heavy amount of documentation and cramped working conditions.
T.Mitchell Pruden making notes at "Unit 1" at Mitchell Springs circa 1914
Click on an image above to enlarge
Pueblo B - 10+ meter Court Kiva with radial pilasters, part of small great house
Students preparing for photographs of these surface rooms.  They date to the 900-1025 A.D. period.