Our History

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In 2001 a group of professional archaeologists formed the South Park Archaeological Project (SPArP) and began to systematically locate and record prehistoric archaeological resources in South Park.  One major outcome of their long term research program has been the development of a data base that documents  their findings of prehistoric artifacts and cultural sites that provide evidence for indigenous people's activities in South Park over at least 10,000 years of history.  Wildfire and flood are natural threats to the preservation of these rare artifacts but so are human actions including vandalism and exploitation. Recognizing the need for stewardship, in 2014 the archaeologists were joined by volunteers who formed the South Park Site Stewards (SPSS) and later became a non-profit 501(c)3 organization in 2018.  SPSS has been a longstanding partner with the South Park National Heritage Area providing preservation and conservation, including a prehistoric resources district, to the National Register of Historic Places.

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