Shivwits Plateau Survey 2001: Archeological Inventory Survey in Parashant National Monument

Archeological inventory survey was conducted on the Shivwits Plateau within the boundaries of the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument by archeologists from the Western Archeological and Conservation Center. This survey was undertaken in compliance with Section 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act, which requires that archeological properties under the jurisdiction of federal agencies are identified, evaluated, and nominated for the National Register of Historic Places. Fieldwork was conducted from June 6 to July 10 of 2001. A total of 1,895 acres was surveyed within five different areas of the plateau.

Fifty-five sites, 29 small artifact scatters, and 52 isolated finds were located and recorded. The sites include multi-room habitation sites, single-room sites, agricultural sites, chert acquisition sites, artifact scatters, and a rock art site. Archaic, Virgin Anasazi, and Southern Paiute components were found at these sites, with most of the datable artifacts reflecting Pueblo II occupation. One historic-period site, a tentcamp site, was also recorded within the survey area. In addition to survey on the Shivwits Plateau, two previously located sites not within the Shivwits Plateau survey/areas were recorded by the crew. This survey indicates that the Shivwits Plateau has many extensive archeological sites that are well preserved and exhibit significant potential to inform our understanding of the prehistory and history of this region. These sites are the Grand Gulch Mine, a historic-period mining site, and a rock art site in Whitmore
Canyon.