In the fall of 2016, construction work in and along the Camp Creek drainage in Garden of the Gods Park led to the discovery of two archaeological sites. These sites turned out to be the area where garbage from General Palmer’s estate was disposed of throughout his entire occupation at Glen Eyrie.
The city’s archaeologist was able to use specific artifacts found on these sites to connect them definitively with General Palmer and his estate. Because a large detention pond was slated to be
View more
In the fall of 2016, construction work in and along the Camp Creek drainage in Garden of the Gods Park led to the discovery of two archaeological sites. These sites turned out to be the area where garbage from General Palmer’s estate was disposed of throughout his entire occupation at Glen Eyrie.
The city’s archaeologist was able to use specific artifacts found on these sites to connect them definitively with General Palmer and his estate. Because a large detention pond was slated to be built in the area of the sites, certain federal laws required testing, excavation, and other mitigation measures be carried out before construction could begin.
A formal excavation was conducted in October and November of 2018, and over 60,000 artifacts were recovered. While analysis of these artifacts is still ongoing, we have learned much about the Palmer Estate, and we will continue to add to the story of our city’s founder. Many of these artifacts will on display at the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum in the new exhibit “Evidence: Finding the Facts about General William Jackson Palmer,” opening Saturday, September 14, 2019.
ABOUT THE PRESENTERS
Matt Mayberry has served as the director of the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum since 2002. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in history. He has published scholarly and popular articles on a variety of topics, ranging from tuberculosis treatment in the Pikes Peak region to how museums can effectively use eBay to further their missions. In addition to his duties at the CSPM, Matt is involved with numerous boards and commissions and volunteers for the American Alliance of Museums to help similar institutions around the country to evaluate their performance relative to established standards of excellence.
Anna Cordova, Lead Archaeologist with the City of Colorado Springs, is the City’s first archaeologist. Colorado Springs native and graduate of UCCS, she has been conducting professional archaeology for 15 years. Cordova has archaeological experience in several states, with most of her experience in Colorado and Hawaii. Her main focus as archaeologist for Colorado Springs is to protect and preserve archaeological resources on our park properties.
View less
English
French
German
Spanish
