Utah’s rich archaeological heritage has lured scientists and antiquarians from around the world to excavate in the deep caves of the western deserts, explore the well-preserved Anasazi ruins, and study the enigmatic and unique Fremont culture. Surprisingly, however, the history of Utah archaeology has been largely ignored since Elmer Smith published a short overview of Utah anthropology in 1950. Smith traced the history of the discipline by describing the research activities and publications of the faculty at the University of Utah, since much of the archaeological research to that time had been done by that institution.
Today all the major universities in the state, the Utah Historical Society, various federal agencies, and several private archaeological contracting firms employ archaeologists to teach, do research, and manage cultural remains. As a consequence of this increased activity, the number of professionals has increased exponentially, as has the amount of archaeological data generated and reported.
In contrast to the current trend for remote sensing to use smaller scale satellite imagery for large areas, we have been working with imagery with an average scale of 1:330; these images cover less than a pixel on current satellite Read More …
The first mail contractors in the Far West risked lives and fortunes between Salt Lake and California.
Southwestern archaeology, in a little over one hundred years, has come from a very uncontrolled speculation about the past, through a period of collection and classifying, through another of chronological order, and now is trying to explain and to understand Read More …
As of this writing, Bears Ears National Monument encompasses just over 1.3 million acres in southeastern Utah. While its boundary will almost always be contested or controversial, it is also arbitrary. Decades of archaeological research in the region suggests that Read More …
This report shares the outcomes of a two-day gathering of archaeologists who work or have worked within what is now Bears Ears National Monument or in southeastern Utah more generally. Our gathering sought to tap their pool of professional knowledge Read More …
This volume provides a glimpse into the landscapes and the people of northwestern Utah, an area known as the Utah Testing and Training Range (UTTR), which is administered by Hill Air Force Base (AFB). The journey begins more than 500 Read More …
It is not clear just how and when Kelly became interested in Glen Canyon, but it matters little, since Kelly’s omnivorous curiosity led him everywhere, and Glen Canyon, one of the earth’s most endlessly enchanting places, worked its irresistible spell Read More …
Glen Canyon National Recreational Area contains many layers of history. Starting over 11,500 years ago, various groups including Native Americans, Mormons, Spanish friars, miners, and pioneers have moved through the canyon. Archeologists can use the materials these individuals left behind Read More …
Zion National Park is a landscape that the American public celebrates as a unique and beautiful wilderness. However, Zion is much more culturally layered than what most tourists perceive. Numerous Native American cultures have ties to the canyon, including the Read More …
We are in the midst of an American western trails renaissance. Interest in historic trails has never been higher. There is an annual, quarterly, almost monthly increase in the number of books, guides, bibliographies, articles, associations, societies, conferences, symposia, centers, Read More …