M160 Centuries Research records
Collection Summary
| Title | Centuries Research records |
| Dates (Inclusive) | 1882-2001 |
| Dates (Bulk) | 1977-1982 |
| Creator | Steven Baker, founder of Centuries Research, Inc. |
| Abstract | This collection contains historically significant records retained from contract archaeology work conducted by Centuries Research Inc. of Montrose, Colorado, on sites on the western slope of Colorado and adjacent regions of the Four Corners area. |
| Unique ID | M160 |
| Quantity | 1 linear shelf foot, approximately 255 items, in 17 folders in 2.5 boxes |
Historical Note
Centuries Research, Inc., a private corporation, was founded by Steven G. Baker in 1977 in Montrose County, Colorado. The purpose of the company is to expedite the land development goals of private and governmental agencies. Professional services of archaeologists,
anthropologists, historians and historic preservationists have been utilized. By 1980 (according to its own claim) the company had become a leading private cultural resource management agency in the Rocky Mountain area.
Arrangement
The series and boxes are numbered consecutively. Arrangement within each series is chronological by the date of the creation of the document
Scope & Contents
This collection contains historically significant records retained from contract archaeology work conducted by Centuries Research Inc. of Montrose, Colorado, on sites on the western slope of Colorado and adjacent regions of the Four Corners area. Archaeological
site inventory forms constitute the bulk of the collection, which also includes topographical maps, sketches of sites and lithics, photographs, archaeological log books, and also some of the formal reports submitted to private and governmental agencies.
The majority of the archaeological reports cover prehistoric ancestral Puebloan sites in Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico. Visual surveys were completed with types of artifacts, locations, and features documented. Someone interested in how a contract archaeologist
works may be interested in this collection as there are many representative examples of reports needed to be completed from private and governmental agencies, everyday working papers, logs, research design, formal reports, and an occasional project budget.
Reading of the log books reveals problems and challenges that are encountered by archaeologists when working in the field.
Restrictions
Access. There are no access restrictions on the use of these materials for research purposes. This collection is open to the public for use in the Delaney Southwest Research Library at the Center of Southwest Studies.
Use and Copyright. These materials are for use only in the Delaney Southwest Research Library; they are noncirculating. Limited duplication of print materials is allowed for research purposes. The user assumes full responsibility for observing all
applicable laws regarding copyright, property rights, and libel.
Preferred Citation
Centuries Research records, Fort Lewis College. Center of Southwest Studies.
Processing Info
Southwest Studies archives student Frank Mt. Pleasant arranged this collection in September 1996 through January 1997. Duplicate copies of printed Centuries Research brochures (4 items) were deaccessioned. Archives student worker Tia Flippin edited and reformatted
the online inventory in the Fall of 2011.
Acquisition Info
The Center of Southwest Studies acquired this collection via donation in 1988-89.
Separated Materials
Artifacts, field records and an office transcriber. These materials, pertaining to the Centuries Research project on Mount Emmons in the late 1970s and early 1980s and donated to the Center of Southwest Studies by Steven Baker in March of 1989 (accession number
1989:03002), were transferred to the Anasazi Heritage Center in Dolores, Colorado, on August 8, 1996, as part of an ongoing effort to consolidate U.S. Bureau of Land Management-Montrose District collections at the Anasazi Heritage Center. The materials included
9 records boxes of Mount Emmons/AMAX artifacts and 7 boxes of archaeological records (including field books, summaries, records and correspondence, ca. 1979-1981) re: AMAX et al.
Related Materials
| Pathfinder #8 | Sources for studying the archaeology of the Southwest (especially the Four Corners) |
Access Terms
Archaeological surveying.
Series/Container List
Record Groups
| Series 1: Centuries Research business records Series 2: Archaeological survey records |
Series 1: Centuries Research business records back to Series list
1979-1981. 2 folders. Includes a printed promotional brochure and archaeological photograph inventory records.
| Description | Box/Folder |
| Centuries Research business brochure, ca. 1979-1980 | 1/1 |
| Archaeological photograph inventory records, 1981 | 1/2 |
Series 2: Archaeological survey records back to Series list
1978-1982. 2.5 document cases. Includes site inventory records and reports. Arranged alphabetically by project title, then chronologically by the date on which the record was produced.
| Description | Box/Folder |
| GCS Joint Venture Project archaeological survey records, 1981 | 1/3 |
| Goodnenough Gulch, Dominguez Ridge Project, archaeological survey records, 1981 | 1/4 |
| Grand Mesa Project archaeological survey records, 1981 | 1/5 |
| Ignacio Canyon Project archaeological survey records, 1981 July 2 - July 28 | 1/6 |
| Ignacio Canyon Project archaeological survey records, 1981 Aug. 4 - Aug. 7 | 1/7 |
| Ignacio Canyon Project archaeological survey records, 1981 Aug. 8 - Aug. 10 | 1/8 |
| Ignacio Canyon Project archaeological survey records, 1981 Aug. 12 - Aug. 28 | 1/9 |
| Mount Emmons Project heritage resources study series, Volume I, 1980 | 2/1 |
| Mount Emmons Project heritage resources study series, Volume IV, 1980 | 2/2 |
| Mount Emmons Project interim project report, 1978-1980 | 2/3 |
| Pacific West Cedar 4 Project archaeological records, 1981 Aug. 3 - Aug. 9 | 2/4 |
| Pacific West Cedar 4 Project archaeological records, 1981 Aug. 10 - Aug. 12 | 2/5 |
| Pacific West Cedar 4 Project archaeological records, 1981 Aug. 13 - Aug. 14 | 2/6 |
| Pacific West Cedar 4 Project archaeological records, 1981 Aug. 15 - Aug. 18 | 2/7 |
| Pacific West Cedar 4 Project archaeological records, 1981 Aug. 19 - Aug. 23 | 3/1 |
| Pacific West Cedar 4 Project archaeological records, 1981 Aug. 24 - Aug. 31 | 3/2 |
| San Miguel Power 12 KV Power Line archaeological records, 1981 | 3/3 |