This document concerns the prehistory of the Northern Colorado Basin. Its purpose is to provide a brief culture history framework, present and evaluate models of prehistoric behaviors, and provide direction for future archaeological investigations.

The Dolores River of southwestern Colorado traverses a variety of ecological zones, presenting prehistoric inhabitants with a variety of subsistence possibilities and resources. In addition to crossing ecological zones, different archaeological zones are encountered. In traditional terms three archaeological cultures may be seen: the Anasazi, the Fremont, and the Uncompahgre Complex or Archaic. Data from archaeological survey conducted in 1975 of a portion of the Dolores Canyon is presented and used as a basis for discussion of archaeology on the river. Three main kinds of data are presented: site information which indicates that a substantial portion of the sites may be other than living sites; artifact data, the artifacts being almost all lithic and indicative mainly of hunting and gathering; and rock art, which shows similarity to the greater Southwest with some elements present purported to be more culturally specific. Chronological control is minimal, but a long range, fairly stable use of the section of river under discussion is apparent. A general similarity of tool kits and site location strategy is noted, as is the appropriateness of canyoñ for hunting and gathering. On the basis of this finding it is proposed that the cultural adaptations present be considered more continuous than discrete. In this regard the concept of a technocomplex with some regional variation conditioned by environmental possibilities is thought useful. The surveys and other work show the Dolores to have considerable archaeological potential and, fittingly, more questions are raised than answered.