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Archaeologists are celebrating a ‘find of a lifetime’ at a Utah ranch packed with ancient relics. But some Native Americans in the area are upset that they were not consulted about how the land should be treated when it first passed into public hands for study some three years ago.

The 1,700-hectare ranch, in Range Creek, Utah, sports countless archaeological sites, most of which are undisturbed. The previous owner of the property, Waldo Wilcox, was well aware of the scientific value of the land — he and his family had maintained the site for more than 50 years. A shotgun-wielding Wilcox would warn off intruders and looters venturing onto his property.

But while rumours of the archaeological value of the site swirled in academic circles for years, it wasn't until 2002 that Utah state archaeologist Kevin Jones toured the ranch and saw its true riches — including dwellings, granaries and rock art dating from between 2,000 and 700 years ago.

Others have likewise been impressed. “I was blown away,” says Duncan Metcalfe, curator of archaeology at the Utah Museum of Natural History in Salt Lake City and leader of the site survey. “I've never seen anything like this in my 25 years of archaeology,” he adds.

Researchers are now planning studies and consultations with Native American tribal leaders about any future excavations. Such consultations are designed in part to accommodate their beliefs on the handling of human remains, which are often at odds with archaeological study. In the case of the Kennewick Man skeleton found in Washington state, for example, tribes have legally delayed research for eight years for cultural reasons.

But some Native Americans in the Range Creek area — including Melvin Brewster, a Northern Piaute with a doctorate in archaeology — are angry that these consultations are coming so late. They point out that the land has been in government hands for years. In 1998, an organization of hunting and fishing enthusiasts petitioned for federal legislation to buy the ranch, ensuring its availability for sport. The US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) then took title to the land for $2.5 million in 2001, conveying it to the state of Utah in January 2004.

Brewster claims that the Utah deal violated federal laws on historic-site planning, environmental policy and protection of Native American remains. Calling the land conveyance an “under-the-table deal”, Brewster claims that the BLM had an obligation during the years of federal ownership to consult with tribes about Native American remains and to seek public comment on any plans for the ranch. “The American public has been violated,” he says.

Brewster says he worries that Native American relics may not be treated properly now that the land is owned by the state of Utah. He is concerned that insufficient funds may be available to stop looting, for example.

Don Banks, BLM spokesman for the Utah region, says that the deal was done based on special legislation secured by two congressmen from Utah. He adds that no one sought any special legal advice about the transfer.

For now, both Native Americans and scientists are excited about the discoveries expected from the ranch. “I have faith that Utah will lay out a plan to work with all of us,” says Leigh Kuwanwisiwma, director of the Hopi Cultural Preservation Office in Arizona.

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D. C. Pizac/AP

Rich pickings: this ranch in Range Creek features a wealth of undisturbed archaeology.