Archeologists explore Camp Sherman's past

Don Zettel at Camp Sherman dig.

Native-Americans have a history in the Sisters area lasting nearly 10,000 years.

They came here for many of the same reasons Sherman County wheat farmers vacationed in Camp Sherman early in the last century and summer visitors flock to the forest campgrounds and resorts today.

Camp Sherman and the Metolius Basin make excellent study areas for archeology and artifact discoveries of the past visitors and their lifestyles.

A study group of Passport in Time (PIT) volunteers spent last week uncovering artifacts in the local area.

Ten volunteers, under the leadership of Sisters Ranger District archeologist Don Zettel, walked, worked and revealed part of the storied past.

Obsidian flakes, basalt, scraping tools and a broken pestle (used for grinding grain) were among the items discovered from the Native American pre-historic past. Flags dotted the 5-10 acres that were mapped out by the group denoting sites where artifacts were found.

The exploratory digs were generally 50 centimeters (cm.) square and about 70 cm. deep. The forested testing area was adjacent to a meadow that had been successfully studied in 1995. Generally, the artifacts are reburied where found after being measured and recorded.

"I think this was a seasonal camp for Native Americans," Zettel said. "They would have had water, food, resources and fine summer weather for their activities."

Dave James of Scio and his granddaughter, Heather Hanssen, were part of the working group.

"I've been involved for six years with the PIT programs. They help in preserving history and get young people involved," said James.

Heather had finished her first mapping and drawing of one of her arrowhead finds.

Merle Harlan and her son Sean, from Estacada, were also members of the group.

"It's been really fun and I've especially liked the mapping," said Sean.

"The camaraderie of the group has been wonderful," stated his mother.

Zettel enjoyed working with the volunteers.

"This archeological project has had wonderful volunteers to work with," said Zettel. "It is an invaluable learning experience for everybody involved.

"Josh French, from Redmond, and John Hatch, from Bend, were very helpful assistants during the week," Zettel noted.

Passport in Time is a volunteer program of the Forest Service. PIT provides opportunities for the public to work with professional archeologists and historians on national forests and grasslands across the country.

There is no registration fee. Contact PIT Clearinghouse, P.O. Box 31315, Tucson, AZ 85751-1315.