Chancellor Ranch Project Details
PCRG membership is not required to participate; however PCRG members get priority to participate in our field projects. If you are interested in becoming a member please click here https://paleocultural.org/support/.
The third and final 2024 session at Chancellor Ranch will be excavation at a rock shelter recorded during the 2022 assessment project. The shelter has extensive burned rock and charcoal-stained sediment deposits across much of the surface and is likely to contain extensive buried cultural deposits. Fieldwork will include a moderate hike into a side canyon of the Purgatoire River, transporting field equipment to and from the site, and spending the workday at the rock shelter conducting excavation under the supervision of PCRG staff. Participants should expect temperatures to reach into the 90s most days; PCRG will establish shade shelters and have extra water if needed.
Participants will camp around a residence on the property but will have limited access to the interior facilities. PCRG will provide portable toilets for participant use, an outdoor shower system, and will provide access to clean drinking water and power to charge small electronics. Limited space may be available for smaller trailers and camper vans.
Average temperatures reach into the upper 80s during the day, and pleasant evenings in the mid-50s. Participants are required to wear long pants during fieldwork, and sturdy, closed-toe hiking shoes are recommended. Open-toe shoes and sandals are not allowed to be worn during fieldwork, but may be worn at camp. A list of all required and recommended gear can be found on our website, https://paleocultural.org/participate/volunteer-information/. A project-specific gear list will be provided for participants closer to the project.
Fieldwork will begin on Saturday, July 20 and continue through Monday, July 29. Participants should plan to arrive the afternoon of July 19 (or the day prior to their first fieldwork day if choosing to start in the middle of the project) to set up their personal camp and for a project orientation and dinner. PCRG will depart from the project area the morning of July 30.
Health and Safety Protocols:
PCRG has a comprehensive set of safety protocols for field and camp. Please feel free to reach out to us at Chris.Johnston@paleocultural.org or 303-439-4098 if you have specific questions about safety protocols.
PCRG strongly encourages you to be up-to-date with all CDC recommended vaccinations. A tetanus booster is highly recommended if it has been more than nine (9) years since your last booster.
If you are feeling ill prior to the start of the project, please contact us and stay home until you are feeling better. This is to protect other participants but also the integrity of the project depends on healthy and active participation within the project date window.