Archaeology Volunteers Needed For Magic Mountain Site

GOLDEN, CO -- An archaeological project at Magic Mountain will be conducted by the Denver Museum of Nature and Science this summer and volunteers are being sought. Dr. Michele Koons, curator of archaeology, will be organizing a "dig" at the site, which has been called the "most important archaeological sites on Colorado's Front Range."

Lithic tools and projectile points dating back to 5000 BC made by indigenous people in the Archaic an Woodland eras have been found on the site, which was thought to be used as a campground for hunter-gatherer groups. The site also hosted an amusement park called Magic Mountain in the 1950s.

"Although Magic Mountain has been previously explored by archaeologists, this project revives the excavation through a community-based effort that will likely lead to new science and discoveries," a statement from the project's founders said. "You can be a part of uncovering and sharing human-environmental history over the last 7,000 years, if not more!"

The team is accepting applications for excavators through May 3. Learn more and sign up online.

Using hand trowels and shovels, excavators carefully empty layers of soil in precise locations (called units). The sediment is then washed through a screen to search for artifacts.

According to the website:

Field archaeology involves physical labor outdoors, including movement in and around open excavation units and across uneven terrain. A variety of hand tools are required for many tasks. This opportunity is available to individuals with or without experience. As a excavator you will have the ability to learn from other volunteers and professional archaeologists. While no experience is required, we may give preference to individuals with a specific interest in archaeology such as students or avocational archaeologists.

Learn more and sign up online.

Due to the amount of interest in this project, space is limited. Applications will be reviewed and notifications of acceptance to the project will be emailed by May 7.
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