Document Type

Thesis

Date of Degree Completion

Spring 2020

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Resource Management

Committee Chair

Jessica Hope Amason

Second Committee Member

Patrick Lubinski

Third Committee Member

Patrick McCutcheon

Fourth Committee Member

Angela Neller

Abstract

Tekison Cave is a Kittitas County, Washington, archaeological site that was excavated by avocational archaeologists in the 1970s. Part of the collection (previously never cataloged or professionally analyzed), is housed at CWU on behalf of the landowners, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). Additionally, the avocational archaeologists still possess some artifacts that they loaned to the university. The collection was rehabilitated and a recommended access policy was created, by collaborating with stakeholders: WDFW, one of the original excavators, and Native American descendant communities. For the rehabilitation, 661 bags and more than 4,406 objects were organized, cataloged, and housed following federal standards, including 295 lithic artifacts, 207 perishable artifacts, and 2,039 pieces of fauna. To meet WDFW goals, I completed a faunal analysis (which showed presence of bighorn sheep with evidence of butchery), radiocarbon dating (which provided two age estimates about 900 years ago), and sourced an obsidian biface (from Whitewater Ridge, Oregon). I interviewed an original excavator to better understand the excavation and whereabouts of artifacts. Collaboration with Native American descendant communities included conducting an interview to incorporate indigenous views into the recommended access policy and to provide knowledge of the site. The collection can now be readily accessed and used by researchers, descendant community members, and the public, following recommended access procedures (which includes communicating with stakeholders and education).

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