[OR_Archaeology] Upcoming Public Archaeology Project at Fort Lane, Jackson County

[Chelsea E. Rose]

 *   Oregon Parks and Recreation Department*

* *

*     NEWS RELEASE                                                *November
4, 2011**





* *

*MEDIA CONTACT: *
Vicki Sink
503-873-8681 ext. 21, vicki.sink at state.or.us

or

Chelsea Rose – Southern Oregon University Laboratory of Anthropology

541-261-3087

Mark Tveskov – Southern Oregon University Laboratory of Anthropology

541-552-6345

* *

*Archaeology at Fort Lane State Heritage Site opens to public viewing *

The Southern Oregon University Laboratory of Anthropology (SOULA), in
collaboration with the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD), will
be conducting archaeological investigations at Fort Lane, a U.S. Army post
occupied from 1853-1856 that was used during the Rogue River Wars. The site
opens to the public on Sunday, November 13, 2011, at 10:00 am through 2:00
pm.

Fort Lane was built in 1853, shortly after the signing of the Rogue River
or Table Rock Treaty that ceded title of the Rogue Valley to the U.S. and
established the Table Rock Indian Reservation. The fort served to protect
residents of the reservation, and acted as a buffer between the Tribes and
increasing number of settlers to southern Oregon. Despite efforts to keep
the peace, fighting continued. At the end of the Rogue River Wars (1856),
the Tribes of the Rogue and Illinois Valleys were marched to the Grand
Ronde encampment and in 1857 the majority taken to Upper Farm on the Siletz
Indian Reservation, while 58 men and their families remained at what then
became the Grand Ronde Reservation. After the close of the war, Ft Lane was
discontinued.

November’s archaeological work at Fort Lane focuses on an extensive
excavation of one of the Officer’s quarters to determine what remains of
this structure and recover items of daily life that will help us understand
the lives of men as they negotiated the complex reality of the western
Frontier. Southern Oregon University staff and students will be conducting
the excavations under a permit, and we will be collaborating once again
with community volunteers from the Southern Oregon Historical Society
(SOHS).

Take the opportunity to learn about the importance of protecting Oregon’s
archaeological sites and some of the aspects of archaeological field work.
You will have the opportunity to walk around the site and talk with members
of the archaeology team and OPRD staff, view uncovered artifacts, learn how
they are cared for, and how archaeological sites are treated with minimal
impact to the environment, and the artifacts interpreted and preserved for
the public good.

Previous work at Fort Lane by SOULA and SOHS was limited in extent, but
resulted in the location and identification of the buildings and other fort
features. It also identified previous looting impacts by illegal digging in
the past. This work helped Jackson County in transferring the property to
the Oregon State Park system. Planning by OPRD is underway on how best to
use and develop the historic and environmental values of the property for
the public.

Please note that parking at the site will be limited. Car-pooling would be
helpful.



What:              Fort Lane Public Archaeology Day

Where:             Fort Lane State Heritage Site

Gold Ray Road, Central Point, OR  97502

When:              Sunday, November 13, 2011

Time:               10:00 am to 2:00 pm


-- 
Chelsea E. Rose, MA, RPA
Southern Oregon University
Laboratory of Anthropology
1250 Siskiyou Blvd.
Ashland, OR 97520
(541) 261-3087
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://omls.oregon.gov/pipermail/or_archaeology/attachments/20111107/f515310f/attachment.html>