State Archaeologist Determines Jackass Hill Viewpoint Is Not a Protected Site

The Colorado State Archaeologist has concluded that the viewpoint at Jackass Hill Park in Littleton does not meet the criteria for a historically significant site, a finding that removes a major barrier to upcoming renovation plans.

The determination follows an August excavation conducted by the state in response to concerns raised by local residents. Ned Sterne, a Littleton resident, and Craig Banister, an advocate archaeologist, submitted 209 artifacts to the state prior to the dig. The report indicates that 70 percent of these items were cultural, while the remaining 30 percent consisted of unmodified rocks.

Dr. Holly Norton, the Colorado State Archaeologist and Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, stated that South Suburban Parks and Recreation cooperated with the investigation. Her team spent three days at the location using hand excavation methods to evaluate the area. Norton described the collection as limited, consisting primarily of lithics, which are small pieces of chipped stone associated with tool and point production. The crew also uncovered a hearth at the site.

The state classified the location as an indigenous open camp where more than 350 artifacts were recovered. Approximately 90 percent of these items were undiagnostic bone fragments and lithic microflakes. The remaining finds included larger lithic flakes and fragments of manos, found in the same area as the hearth. Norton stated that the location likely dates back thousands of years, but the specific site is no longer distinct due to decades of visitor activity.

“The site is gone because of that collecting,” Norton said, noting that many visitors have taken artifacts home over the years. A piece of charcoal from the hearth was sent to ICA Labs Inc for radiocarbon analysis. The lab found an 82.2 percent probability that the charcoal is between 670 and 780 AD.

Banister believes more material remains underground, a view supported by the fact that the state dig was shallow. Sterne, who was not surprised by the conclusion, wants South Suburban to revise its plan to leave the hilltop untouched. He described the area as hallowed ground and cited existing data suggesting the land was used for 8,000 years. Alternatively, he proposed a formal scientific excavation before construction begins.

South Suburban has said it is hiring an archaeologist to monitor the construction, which is expected to dig six feet deep. Norton noted that deeper digging could reveal more material, and the on-site archaeologists would help assess any new finds.