A: Archaeology can't dig up language. We don't know what language any prehistoric people spoke. The term "Fremont" is a name archaeologists gave to this prehistoric group. They likely spoke different languages but were very much aware of each other, interacted with each other, traded goods and services and likely intermarried. They likely fought against each other and formed alliances with each other, and they all practiced a similar way of life.

Q: Who were the Anasazi?

A: Anasazi sites date to the same time period as the Fremont — 2,000 years ago to 750 years ago — but are restricted to the southern part of Utah, generally south of the Colorado River. They are famous for their monumental architectural features, such as cliff dwellings, as well as black-on-white pottery. For unknown reasons, they abandoned the Four Corners regions around A.D. 1,300.

Q: After the Anasazi left, was Utah devoid of humans?

A: No. Evidence suggests new populations were moving into the Great Basin roughly around A.D. 1,000. They are known as Numic-speaking groups. They demonstrate a return to the hunting and gathering way of life.

Q: When did people start farming and growing corn in Utah?

A: Here in Utah we start to see corn around 2,500 years ago. Maybe a little earlier in the Four Corners area. The Fremont and the Anasazi are the first to really use any sort of domesticated crops, and they did use corn, beans and several varieties of squash.

Q: What are petroglyphs?

A: Petroglyphs are designs and figures created on rock surfaces by chipping, pecking and carving. Along with pictographs, which are painted images, they are known as rock art. Precise meanings of images are unknown. Some people speculate they have to do with rituals and religion, calendars and other facets of life. They may be just art.

Q: What are some of the major archaeological finds in Utah?

A: Danger Cave and Juke Box Cave in the western desert, Headbanger Cave on Antelope Island, Mushroom Springs Site on Antelope Island, the TRAX site at EnergySolutions arena and the prison site in Draper.

Danger Cave, first excavated by Jesse Jennings in 1950, is considered one of the most significant sites in North America.

Q: How are artifacts and sites protected?

A: Archaeological sites are protected by national laws, such as the 1906 Antiquities Act, the 1966 National Historic Preservations Act, the 1979 Archaeological Resources Protection Act and the 1990 Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, as well as state legislation.