Richard Wetherill (1858–1910), a member of a Colorado ranching family, was an amateur archaeologist who discovered, researched and excavated sites associated with the Ancient Pueblo People.

[1] He also excavated Kiet Seel ruin, now in Navajo National Monument in northeastern Arizona, and Pueblo Bonito in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico.

Wetherill, brothers Al, John and Win, extended family, and neighbors explored Cliff Palace, digging, excavating, cataloging, photographing, and gathering artifacts.

Among the people who stayed with the Wetherills to explore the cliff dwellings was mountaineer, photographer, and author Frederick H. Chapin who visited the region during 1889 and 1890.

[7] Nordenskiöld taught Wetherill the rudimentary archeological techniques of the day (which essentially were to dig with a trowel not a shovel, and to make copious notes on findings).

Wetherill's claim that the Basket Makers preceded the cliff dwellers was discounted for many years by archaeologists, but has proven to be accurate.

In 1895, Richard Wetherill, his brother Al, and Charlie Mason journeyed to Arizona and excavated the Keet Siel (Broken Pottery) ruin in Tsegi Canyon, now part of the Navajo National Monument.

"Slightly smaller than Cliff Palace, Kiet Seel possesses qualities that, in the eyes of some, lend it greater charm and interest.

"[11] In 1896, Wetherill, and the Hyde Exploring Expedition (HEE) undertook massive excavation operations in Chaco Canyon on the Navajo Reservation under the oversight of the American Museum of Natural History.

George Pepper, a 23-year old employee of the Museum who had never been in New Mexico, was appointed to lead the expedition, and Wetherill was relegated to a secondary position of supervising the excavations by Navajo laborers.

[12] Wetherill excavated the Pueblo Bonito great house and at the end of the first season sent a railroad freight car of artifacts to the American Museum.

In 1901, Edgar Lee Hewett, President of New Mexico Highlands University accused the Hydes and Wetherill of being "professional pot hunters...vandalizing the ruins of the Chaco."

Responding to his archaeological critics, Wetherill filed a claim under the Homestead Act asserting ownership of 160 acres of land, including many of the ruins at Chaco Canyon.

[14][15] In 1905 Richard, his brother Win, and his wife Marietta built an exhibition at the St. Louis World's Fair, bringing 16 Navajos with them.

The agent, Samuel F. Statcher, wanted to dam the canyon for water, fence both ends for grazing and build an Indian School (a forced "Americanizing" of the natives) among the ruins.

[16] Often described as a wealthy or prosperous man, Wetherill's only asset at the time of his death was ranch property worth five thousand dollars.