In autumn of 2025, Underwood Conservation District (UCD) was implementing Phase 2 of a Western Pond Turtle project when an artifact was inadvertantly discovered during pond excavation. Work was stopped immediately and the artifact was determined to be a pre-contact lithic material (a ground basalt mortar weighing about 15 pounds). Further ground disturbing work is currently on hold during ongoing consultation between UCD and federal, state and tribal archaeologists. Kim will discuss the implications of a finding during project construction, using the ongoing Pond Turtle project as a real-time example. Bonus: the discovered item will be available for viewing at the presentation. (Entry Level)
