Intensive Cultural Resources Inventory of 2,526 Acres at Saylor Creek Training Range, Owhyee County

In the fall of 2024, ARH Archaeology and Architectural History (ARH) completed a 2,526 acres (ac.) inventory for Mountain Home Air Force Base (MHAFB). This inventory, in the northern part of Saylor Creek Training Range, was conducted under Section 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA, as amended). The inventory was conducted in two phases, Phase 1 consisted of an intensive inventory using transect unit (TRU) method. During this phase, six sites and ten isolates were identified in 33 positive 15 x 15-meter (m) TRU cells. All archaeological resources are pre-contact in age. Of the six cultural resources, three are previously recorded and three are newly recorded. Following the initial inventory, cultural resources were recorded, and shovel probes were completed to recommend eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). During recordation and shovel probes, sites were noted as being simple and complex lithic scatters. All except one shovel probe was negative. Two of the previously recorded resources (10OE12169 and 10OE12170) were determined eligible to the NRHP after previous investigation. Current investigations do not contradict this determination, and the sites were found to possess characteristics of eligibility under NRHP Criterion D. Resource 10OE7490 was not previously evaluated for inclusion in the NRHP. During this investigation, no previously recorded artifacts could be relocated, and the depositional context of the site suggests that the cultural components have been displaced through slope wash. Site 10OE7490 is recommended not eligible to the NRHP under any criteria. Newly recorded sites (ACH-001 through -003) lack temporally diagnostic artifacts and are recommended not eligible to the NRHP under any criteria. All isolated finds are single artifacts and are recommended not eligible to the NRHP under any criteria. The current inventory is not project driven; however, it is recommended that sites 10OE12169 and 10OE170 are avoided by future projects that are subject to Section 106 of the NHPA.