IntroductionAn abandoned colony consisting of several building foundations and a mining site with deposits of placer gold near the town of Elko, Nevada, was recently discovered. An archaeological investigation of this site was carried out to determine the age of this site, and to search for clues as to why this site was abandoned. To do this, archaeologists carried out multiple surveys as well as an excavation of the mining site. Great care was taken to preserve the site as well as the surrounding environment, which is why only a singular excavation took place on this site. Study of the abandoned settlement revealed domestic artifacts suggesting that the last time the site was inhabited was in the early 20th century, from the late 1920s to the early 1930s. The investigation and excavation of the site mining suggest that mining occurred in the late 1800s and ended in the early 1900s. Due to the relative dating of these finds, the time of abandonment of this settlement appears to be in correlation with the Great Depression and its negative impact on Nevada's economy and Nevada's mining industry. 1. Background Despite its notorious reputation for sex and gambling, Nevada actually has a long and less sordid history of mining state. Before 1859, the state was sparsely populated with small mining camps and trading outposts as people migrated across Nevada toward the West Coast1. In 1859, a rich deposit of silver, otherwise known as the Comstock Lode, was discovered in the state2. This caused an influx of people and a sudden outcropping of settlements, towns, and cities such as Virginia City. Partly because of the sudden increase in population, Nevada became a territory in 1861 and a state...... middle of paper ...... "Description and History of Elko". The Nevada Travel Network. Np, and Web. April 17, 2014. .5. "Early Mining History of Nevada." Nevada Mining Association. Np, January 5, 2012. Web. April 17, 2014. .6. “Nevada Mining through the Great Depression and World War II.” Nevada Mining Association. Np, February 9, 2012. Web. April 17, 2014. .7. “Frequently Asked Questions”. Nevada Mining Association. Np, and Web. April 17, 2014. .8. Hartman, Howard L. and Jan M. Mutmansky. “Introduction to Mining.” Introduction to mining engineering. 2nd ed. Np: Wiley, 2002. 1-22. Print.