The foothills of the Rocky Mountains, although readily accessible, are
archaeologically almost unknown. Geographically they lie between two
culture areas—the Desert Culture of the Great Basin to the west and
the Plains cultures to the east. Environmentally the region preserves
a special character unlike either the Basin or the Plains. The area
around the town of Morrison, Colorado, some fifteen miles west of
Denver, seemed to offer unusual potentialities for archaeological
investigation because of the prominent rock formations and the
possibilities of overhangs. Very little previous work had been done in
the vicinity.
Dr. E. B. Renaud undertook the first archaeological reconnaissance of
the area in 1931 and 1932. His survey was brief, but indicated the
presence of several sites. However, the Morrison area is not ideal
for the location of archaeological remains, principally because its
mesophytic environment gives rise to little erosion. Since 1931 the
only investigation was carried out by amateurs of the region. The
most extensive survey was done by LoDaisKa Bethel, to whom we owe
the discovery of the present site. The authors became aware of the
importance of the area after a surface survey, and after the excavation
of two rockshelters containing the remains of the Plains Woodland
Culture (Irwin and Irwin, n.d.). Subsequent contact with Mrs. Bethel
led to the excavation of the LoDaisKa Site.