Vard Coombs Oral History - February 7, 2011

In an oral history interview conducted on February 7, 2011, Vard Coombs discusses his childhood in Boulder, Utah, emphasizing life before electricity and his memories of various household artifacts like a hand churn, coal oil lamps, and a number three tub. He recounts being the 13th of 14 children and being born on what is now known as the Coombs Site, which his father later sold to the State for a museum. A significant portion of the interview details his experiences working with archaeologists, including Dr. Jennings and Dr. Robert Lister, on excavations at the Coombs Site in 1959. He describes the process of digging, screening for artifacts like arrowheads and pottery, and discoveries such as ancient structures and burials, including the "Indian Princess" with turquoise jewelry. Coombs also shares anecdotes about local life, finding arrowheads, and the challenges of preventing looting at the archaeological site. He reflects on theories about why the Anasazi people left the area and discusses the early settlers' potential use of Indigenous irrigation ditches. The interview concludes with a discussion about future archaeological work at the site, much of which remains uncovered.