The Avery Ranch Site Revisited

Recent excavations were undertaken at the Avery Ranch site (5PE56) in Pueblo County, southeastern Colorado. Earlier excavations were conducted in the 1960s by the University of Denver, and the site was test excavated in 1984 by Cent nnial Archaeology, Inc. Recent work was confined to two architectural units, a large, open C-shaped structure and a smaller roofed structure of polygonal shape. The site is a multifunctional camp, possibly representing a single major episode of occupation in the fall of the year. Four major activity areas are present, of which three are architectural. A foraging economy is apparent, evidenced by large quantities of butchered bison bone and charred seeds of wild plants. A communal bison kill near the site is suggested. Most plant seeds are of the genus Chenopodium (goosefoot). Maize is present although evidence is limited. The Avery Ranch site was occupied during the A.D. 13th century by an Apishapa (Middle Ceramic period) group. Closest cultural affinities are with central and southern Plains groups of the Plains Village Tradition.