Site Overview
Site Number
5MT5
History of the Site Name
Site is named for one of the canyons that bound the site. The canyon was named for the yellow jacket wasps that frequent its springs.
Other Names
Name | Comment |
Sourouaro | Prudden 1900*1:3 |
Square Mug House | Hurst and Lotrich 1932*1:195; this name referred only to the architectural block that Crow Canyon called the "great tower compex." |
Surouara | Holmes 1981*1:401 |
Surouaro | Newberry 1876*1:88-89 |
Yellow Jacket Ruin | Lange et al. 1986*1:14-15 |
Yellow Jacket Ruins | Prudden 1900*1:3 |
Yellow Jacket Spring Ruin | Fewkes 1919*1:16-17 |
Yellowjacket Pueblo | The Archaeological Conservancy The Archaeological Conservancy |
Yellowjacket Ruin | Wheat 1984*1:61 |
Site Type
Habitation (with public architecture)
Site Boundary Description
The east boundary is the bottom of an adjacent canyon. The west boundary is formed by the bottom of a separate drainage. The south boundary is formed by the confluence of the creeks in those two drainages. The north boundary is formed by a concentration o
Site Size
Approximately 100 acres
Site Composition and Layout
Site is composed of one- and two-story rubble mounds, kiva depressions, a great kiva depression, midden areas, dams, canyon-rim features, a possible Chacoan great house and roads, and petroglyphs. Mapping and testing of the site resulted in the following
Cultural Affiliation and Date Range of Occupation
General Location
14 miles northwest of Cortez, along Colorado Highway 491 (formerly Highway 666), Montezuma County
Ownership, Stewardship
Large portion owned by The Archaeological Conservancy; remainder owned by other private landowners}
Years of Crow Canyon Excavation
April 1995 through October 1997
Percent Excavated by Crow Canyon
State of Colorado Archaeological Permits were obtained to conduct archaeological excavations
Permits | Comment |
95-42 | State of Colorado Permit to conduct archaeological excavations |
96-1 | State of Colorado Permit to conduct archaeological excavations |
97-20 | State of Colorado Permit to conduct archaeological excavations |