Who We Are
Dominquez Archaeological Research Group (DARG) is the operational division of Dominquez Archaeological Research Group, Inc, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation established in 2003 as a consortium for anthropological and archaeological research, preservation, and education in the Upper Colorado River Basin.
Our Mission
DARG's mission is to provide an organizational and operational environment that facilitates:
- Professional excellence and the application of high standards in archaeological and anthropological research, preservation, and education.
- Scientific rigor and the development and application of innovative research methods and advanced technology for data capture and information management in archaeology and anthropology.
- Forwarding the goals of inclusivity, diversity and racial justice and actively promoting an environment of inclusivity for people from different backgrounds, color, beliefs, religions, nationalities, and socio-economic status
- Support of black, indigenous, people of color (BIPOC), lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning persons, queer, other (LGBTQQ+), and women.
- A zero tolerance policy towards racist, homophobic, transphobic, and sexist attitudes and behavior.
- Cooperative and collaborative approaches in cultural resources research, preservation, and education that integrate cross-boundary knowledge and expertise from diverse professional, institutional, and public sources (BIPOC, LGBTQQ+, women, and others) while actively engaging the community through outreach and providing a platform for diverse voices to be heard and included in all DARG activities.
An Assessment of Projectile Points and Chronometrics for Talus Village and the Falls Creek Rock Shelters: Perspectives on Early Maize on the Colorado Plateau by Michael S. Berry [SHF Grant Project No. 2023-AS-005]
This study was initiated May 12, 2023, under Colorado State Historical Fund Project No. 23-AS-005. The purpose of this study is to analyze projectile points from the Falls Creek Rock Shelters and Talus Village near Durango, Colorado. Point typologies will be described using multivariate statistical techniques and, in conjunction, the chonological placement of these types will be evaluated for purposes of comparison on a regional scale. The ultimate goal is the determination of the timing and processes involved in the movement of maize-based populations from the Southern Basin and Range Province of the Southwest to the Colorado Plateau.
Acquisition of the projectile points from collections at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Canyons of the Ancients Vistitor Center and Museum (CANM) necessitated consultation with an inclusive group Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (THPOs) of Southwestern Tribes. Consultation was undertaken by Dr. Michelle Stevens, Hertiage Program Lead for the San Juan National Forest. In consultation between Ms. Cassandra Atencio, THPO of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, and Dr. Stevens, concurrence with the project was approved and given the proviso that the following statement be included in all documents developed by the Dominquez Archaeological Research Group.
This study seeks to better understand the morphological characteristics and distribution of projectile points from semi-sedentary site contexts occupied between 400 BC - AD 500 in the greater Upper San Juan Region of the Southwest. Projectile points from other site types, e.g., short-term camps or limited activity sites, occupied during the same period are not included. Therefore, results of this study should not be used to imply that only one culture group occupied the entire study area during this period. Dominquez Archaeological Research Group (DARG) acknowledges that the study area is the traditional, ancestral, and contemporary homelands of many indigenous peoples including the Pueblos, Ute, Dine (Navajo), and Jicarilla Apache. DARG understands and respects all indigenous Tribes' deep cultural connection to this landscape.
DARG certainly concurs with the concerns of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. Acquisition of the projectile points was accomplished with the assistance of Blythe Morrison, Collection Specialist at CANM.
Click the links below to view the projectile points analyzed for this project and the report of the assessment.
Talus Village Projectile Point Typology
Falls Creek Shelters Projectile Point Typology
An Assessment of Projectile Points and Chronometrics for Talus Village and the Falls Creek Rock Shelters: Perspectives on Early Maize on the Colorado Plateau. Report by Michael S. Berry.
An Archaeological Assessment of Ten Mile Canyon - D & RG Railroad Work Camp (5ST.23) and Associted Sites in Summit County, Colorado [SHF 2022-AS-008]
Dominquez Archaeological Research Group (DARG), by means of a grant from the Colorado State Historical Fund (22-AS-008), conducted a site assessment of a stone masonry feature in a Denver & Rio Grande Railroad work camp (5ST.23), located in Tenmile Canyon. Fieldwork was conducted for the USDA Forest Service and the Colorado Department of Transportation. The site was originally documented in 1974 by John D. Gooding with Colorado Department of Highways as part of the Archaeological Surveys in Ten Mile Canyon - I70, Colorado Department of Highways Project Number I-70-2-24 Highway Salvage Report No. 1 (OAHP No. ST.CH.R11). At that time, it was documented as site 5ST.23. The site was further investigated in 1975 by William G. Buckles with the University of Southern Colorado for the Colorado Department of Highways as an extension of the same work under a report titled, Preliminary Report Concerning Archaeological Investigations for Interstate Project No. I 70-2(24), Wheeler Junction to Frisco, Colorado in Ten Mile Canyon (OAHP No. ST.CH.R11). The site was documented again in 1976 by William G. Buckles with the University of Southern Colorado as part of Investigations of Historic Communities in Tenmile Canyon (OAHP No. ST.CH.R13).
It was determined that the stone domed structure was likely used for low heat baking, heated by coals produced in exterior fires. Several ethnic groups have been mentioned in connection with rock ovens on railroad construction camp sites, including Chinese, Scandinavians, Greeks, and Italians. Chinese and Scandinavian associations have been discredited based on lack of evidence. Substantial evidence (photographs and interviews) exists for both the Greek and Italian use of bread ovens. In this case, Italians were known to reside at this camp, based on newspaper accounts from the period. This information adds to the body of work around the study of immigrants in the Colorado frontier.
Click the links below to view the report of the assessment.
An Archaeological Assessment of Ten Mile Canyon - D & RG Railroad Work Camp (5ST.23) and Associted Sites in Summit County, Colorado. Report by Nicole Inman.
Ten Mile Canyon, Photo by USGS, August 1938. Courtesy Pueblo City-County Library District
Stone Oven, 5ST.23, ca. 1976
Stone Oven, 5ST.23, ca. 2023
Archaeological Reassessment of Rock Art in Canyon Pintado National Historic District: Phase II
This project continues a major preservation, research, and public archaeology initiative for rock art resources in Canyon Pintado National Historic District (5RB.984) located south of Rangely, Colorado in Rio Blanco County. A team of archaeologists and technical specialists organized by Dominquez Archaeological Research Group (DARG) will continue to revisit and intensively record 12 additional high-value rock art sites in the State Bridge / Cow Canyon site complex using advanced, high-resolution digital imaging and computational image processing techniques. Project data will be organized for review, assessment, and curation by tribal, agency, and professional research partners; and will establish baseline recording protocols for future phases of the project. Selected digital products will be shared with public archaeology and education partners. The project will leverage long-term collaborative relationships among professional, tribal and preservation partners; and will encourage newly formed coalitions promoting public archaeology, site stewardship, historic preservation and heritage tourism in an under-served area of the state.
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