What Does the Site Number Mean?

The numbering of archaeological sites in Colorado and most other states in the U.S. follows the Smithsonian system, with each "number" consisting of three elements:

The Dillard Site was the 10,647th site to be recorded in Montezuma County, Colorado—hence, "Site 5MT10647." To date, more than 20,000 site numbers have been assigned in the county.