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In May and October 1991, archeologists from the National Park Service's Midwest Archeological Center conducted a survey of Marsland Road, which runs across the northern portion of Agate Fossil Beds National Monument north of the Niobrara River, and test excavated a portion of archeological site 25SX163 prior to the construction of a new visitor center facility. Thirty-six previously unrecorded sites were documented, including one Archaic and two twentieth-century components. The bulk of the sites are attributable to late prehistoric stage, although specific assignation is wanting for lack of diagnostic artifacts or datable materials. An area of prehistoric quarrying was discovered in the northwestern corner of the Monument, adding a significant dimension to our interpretation of the activities undertaken here by Native Americans. In October 1991 a total of 74 one-meter-square test units was excavated on 13 archeological sites to determine their potential for National Register eligibility and to collect sufficient data to make recommendations regarding the impending disturbances facing these sites.

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