County Celebrates Archaeology and Historic Preservation Month

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The Lamb Spring Archaeological Preserve Board in partnership with Douglas County has scheduled tours of the Lamb Spring Mammoth Preserve for the public to attend in recognition of Archaeology and Historic Preservation Month in May.

Take a tour of the Lamb Spring Mammoth Preserve on Saturday, May 2nd at 9:30 a.m.  The tour begins with an introductory video explaining the excavations of the site at the Roxborough Neighborhood Library in the Lockheed Martin Room, 8357 N. Rampart Range Rd., #200 in Littleton.  Visitors then drive to the parking area and walk about two blocks to the site where the remains of 24 Columbian mammoth, ancient camel, bison and ground sloth were discovered in 1960 by Charles Lamb who was working to enlarge a natural spring on his cattle ranch. 

The Smithsonian Institution conducted intensive archaeological excavations in 1960-1961 and 1980-1981, yielding mammoth remains dating back 13,000 years and a possible link to some of the earliest people to inhabit North America.  This site is now preserved through a cooperative agreement between The Archaeological Conservancy and Douglas County.  Tours are available from May through October on the first Saturday of each month at 9:30 a.m.  For reservations, please contact Douglas County at 303.660.7460.

As part of the Archaeology and Historic Preservation Month celebrations, the Board of County Commissioners will present landmark plaques on Tuesday, May 5, 2009, at 1:30 p.m. to property owners.  These properties were recently designated as historically significant through the Douglas County Landmark Program.

Archaeology and Historic Preservation Month began being celebrated in 1971, when the National Trust for historic preservation created a week-long spotlight of preservation efforts in the U.S.  Throughout the years, the week became a popular annual celebration and, in 2005, the National Trust dedicated the entire month of May to celebrate our country’s history. 

Colorado initiated Archaeology and Historic Preservation Week in 1992 and expanded it to a month-long celebration in 2001.  Douglas County supports historic preservation and awareness, and the Douglas County Commissioners will also issue a proclamation on May 5th designating May as Archaeology and Historic Preservation Month.

For more information on the history of Douglas County and the Lamb Spring Archaeological Preserve, please visit www.douglas.co.us/history or call 303.660.7460.