COTTONWOOD, Idaho — Excavation work at Oregon State University’s (OSU) archaeology field school is once again underway for the season at Cooper’s Ferry in the Lower Salmon River Canyon. The field school is an ongoing cooperative effort between OSU and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Over the years the BLM-managed site has hosted college students from across the U.S. who spend a portion of their summer conducting research on early human occupation of the river canyon.
The excavation site at Cooper’s Ferry offers an opportunity to connect kids and adults to America’s natural and cultural heritage. During July the public is invited to tour the site and learn more about the effort. Tours are available at no cost weekly Wednesday through Sunday from 7:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.
“This is a unique opportunity for all ages to see the excavation process underway and learn how the layers of sediment provide clues to the lifestyles of previous canyon inhabitants,” said David Sisson, BLM Archeologist for the Coeur d’Alene District and long-time coordinator of the partnership. “We know that many people are interested in the history of the river canyon, just as we are.”
OSU Professor Dr. Loren Davis leads the field school and conducts research in the Pacific Northwest and Mexico on early human occupation. The Cooper’s Ferry site has unearthed evidence of inhabitants dating back nearly 12,000 years. Each season the field school carefully uncovers layers of history, piecing together generations of use.