The First Rocky Mountaineers: Coloradans before Colorado

Archaeological research in Colorados Middle Park reveals that the First Rocky Mountaineers, the earliest people of the region, lived and thrived for 12,000 years in extreme conditions, coping with cold stress and hypoxic conditions by intensifying food acquisition, constructing shelters, and tailoring sophisticated warm clothing. The archaeological record provides a wealth of information about their lifeways and adaptations.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 30 June 2023
Publisher: University of Utah Press,U.S.

The First Rocky Mountaineers: A Prehistory of the Earliest People of the Region at the Conclusion of the Ice Age

Archaeological research in Colorado's Middle Park, a high mountain basin initially encountered by Europeans in the early 1800s and occupied for centuries by the Ute people, sheds light on the prehistory of the region's earliest inhabitants. The Utes and their predecessors thrived in this challenging environment for 12,000 years, developing unique adaptive strategies to cope with the harsh conditions of cold stress and hypoxic conditions.

People of Middle Park faced some of the most extreme conditions of any prehistoric population in North America. To survive, they intensified food acquisition, constructed shelters, and tailored sophisticated warm clothing. The archaeological record of these early Coloradans, while still meager, provides valuable insights into their lifeways in the Rocky Mountain high country.

As archaeologists continue to explore Middle Park and other regions of the Rocky Mountains, they uncover a rich record of shelters, tools, and projectile points dating back between 12,000 and 9,000 years ago. These artifacts provide a robust database for interpreting the lifeways of these early inhabitants.

In his book, The First Rocky Mountaineers, author Kornfeld offers the first treatment of the original Middle Park and Rocky Mountain human populations from a biocultural perspective. This approach suggests that both biological and cultural processes frame the outcome of successful human adaptation. While some anthropologists may resist this approach, it is essential when trying to understand the dynamics of those living in the high country.

The First Rocky Mountaineers is a groundbreaking work that sheds light on the prehistory of the Rocky Mountain high country and the unique adaptations of its earliest inhabitants. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the history and culture of the region.

Dimension: 254 x 178 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781647690687