Not to be too much of a cynic but...

Has the search out West for significant historic archaeological resources
diminished to the extent that 60 to 70-year old garbage dumps are expected
to provide information that will contribute to our understanding of human
history and information that is important, not just more stuff?  As a
taxpayer I would question the usefulness of this kind of expenditure.  Has
the Utah SHPO concurred for the need to do your excavation?  I suppose if I
saw your Research Design and had a better understanding of what important
research questions you hoped to answer by the study, I might be more willing
to accept this work.  However, at this point in time, I think all practicing
archaeologists need to keep in mind that not everything needs to be dug up,
particularly if one is using public monies.

Mark Wittkofski

(The opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily
reflect his employer.)

-----Original Message-----
From:   Austin, Stephen P SWF [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent:   Thursday, August 03, 2000 8:25 AM
To:     [log in to unmask]
Subject:        Re: Landfill Site Reference Request

I guess I'll be the bait goat here - why are you excavating this 30s-40s
refuse site?  Was this a municipal landfill with hospital and industrial
waste in it?

Stephen P. Austin


-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, August 02, 2000 6:23 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Landfill Site Reference Request


We are undertaking a project involving excavation of a portion of an
extremely large (perhaps, at one time, several hundred meters by several
hundred meters in size) landfill site near Salt Lake City that dates ca.
1932-1942.  The portions of the dump which were excavated reached depths of
13 - 15 feet of solid domestic trash (very little soil mixed in).

Do persons on the list know of other landfill or large dump sites which have
been excavated and reported on?  Are there references which could be useful
as comparisons with such a site?  Rathjie's materials are known about.
Perhaps there are other helpful suggestions?  Thanks for any help which may
be offered.

Mike Polk
Sagebrush Consultants, L.L.C.
Ogden, Utah