Friday, August 31, 2007

BAE Reports Now Online, Learning About Ancient Foodways from Cabeza De Vaca, Arizona's Most Enangered Places

Southwestern Archaeology Making the News - A Service of the Center for Desert Archaeology

- Smithsonian Bureau of Ethnography Reports Now Available On-Line: The Gallica project, a division of the Bibleotheque national de France, has digitized the entire Ethnography Report collection. The reports are served as indexed PDF files.
http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb37575968z/date

- Learning from Cabeza de Vaca - Revelations about Hunter-Gatherer Foodways at the Dawn of Written History in Texas: The earliest accounts of Texas' native peoples were given to us by Cabeza de Vaca and his companions. Shipwrecked on the Texas Gulf Coast in 1528, these men made their way from the shores near present-day Galveston to Mexico City during a seven-year ordeal. Their reports of that amazing journey provide fascinating--albeit enigmatic--glimpses of native people and the various odd-sounding foods they hunted, gathered, and plucked from often harsh landscapes. In a new exhibit on Texas Beyond History, anthropologist and archeologist Alston Thoms draws on his own studies of traditional foods and cooking technologies to speculate what the various roots, tubers, nuts, fruits, and fish may have been, how they were prepared, and much more. A colorful interactive for K-12 audiences follows the explorer on his journey and provides learning opportunities using primary documents and bilingual vocabularies. A standards-based lesson plan for teachers is correlated to the activity drawing on the accounts of Texas' first historian, Cabeza de Vaca.
http://www.texasbeyondhistory.net/cabeza-cooking/index.html

- Arizona Preservation Foundation Names Arizona's Most Endangered Historic Places: The Arizona Preservation Foundation has released its 2007 list of Arizona's most endangered historic places. Compiled by preservation professionals and historians, the list identifies critically endangered cultural resources of major historical significance to the state. "Each of the sites we have named are important historic landmarks in Arizona, but unfortunately are in grave danger of collapse, demolition, or destruction," said Vince Murray, APF Board President. "It is critical that residents and government officials act now to save these elements of their cultural heritage before it's too late."
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070830/dc02250.html?.v=1
http://www.azmostendangered2007.blogspot.com/

- The Dilemma of Preservation and Growth - What Will the 202 Loop Bury? Is the lot where your kids play baseball on top of a Hohokam ruin bearing priceless historical objects? Do Ahwatukee Foothills high school football fields cover Hohokam buildings? As the Arizona Department of Transportation considers flattening 255 homes to make way for the Loop 202 maybe, just maybe, it is a situation of what goes around comes around. These days we are talking about stucco homes with basements and barbecue pits. All of that is the same and literally just classic upgrades to the Hohokam way of life. Are those 255 homes earmarked for destruction going to be just another layer for another soccer mom 300 years from now to park her version of an SUV?
http://www.ahwatukee.com/articles/adot_1261___article.html/hohokam_study.html

- Volunteers Needed For Historic Preservation Commission in Northwest Tucson: The Town of Oro Valley seeks to fill two volunteer positions on the Historic Preservation Commission. Commissioners are required to fulfill a two-year term. Commission meetings are held the second Monday of every month. The role of the Historic Preservation Commission is to promote conservation of historic buildings, landmarks, photos and documents important to the history and heritage of Oro Valley. Individuals interested in the positions can pick up applications at Oro Valley Town Hall, 11000 N. La Cañada Drive, or on the town Web site, www.townoforovalley.com. Click the “Town Clerk” icon. Completed applications are due Friday, Sept. 7.
http://www.explorernews.com/article/show/19675
http://www.townoforovalley.com

- Public Input Sought on Preservation of the Steam Pump Ranch in Oro Valley: Oro Valley residents can voice their own opinions beginning next week on how the town should preserve the historic Steam Pump Ranch. Steam Pump Ranch encompasses 15 acres on North Oracle Road between First Avenue and Tangerine Road. It was established by George Pusch and John Zellweger when they settled there in the 1870s in what would become Oro Valley.
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/northwest/198393.php

- Employment Opportunity, Archaeology Laboratory Manager (Redlands CA): Statistical Research, Inc. (SRI), a multidisciplinary cultural resources consulting firm, has an immediate opening for a full-time manager of the archaeological laboratory in our Redlands, California, office. The person filling this position will work closely with SRI's laboratory director located in Tucson, AZ. The laboratory manager (LM) will oversee all regular functions of an archaeological laboratory and supervise a staff of 2-10 technicians and volunteers. Responsibilities include caring for and tracking archaeological collections and associated field and laboratory data, assigning tasks and evaluating the work of laboratory technicians, assisting analysts and project staff with their collections needs, supporting the laboratory needs of SRI's other California offices, and working with the laboratory director to keep the permits and repository agreements for SRI's California offices current.
http://www.sricrm.com/opportunities/

- Employment Opportunity, Director of Development. Crow Canyon Archaeological Center seeks a Director of Development - Primary responsibility is to lead, guide, and supervise the overall development program; and participate in the formation and execution of the strategic plan, to achieve the established fund-raising goals. Qualification: A bachelor’s degree and seven years of progressively responsible experience with development programs and management Strong candidates will have demonstrated leadership in and involvement with a capital campaign; expertise in planned giving and gift accounting principles. For complete job descriptions see our Web site
http://www.crowcanyon.org/jobs

- Employment Opportunity: Archaeological Consulting Services, Ltd. (ACS), an environmental firm located in Tempe, AZ, is seeking to hire a principal investigator and/or a senior project manager, and/or a project director. We are looking for at least one person, but may hire two. We are in need of staff members who can hit the ground running in project management, whether at the highest, PI, level, or at the next level as a project director (both field and office) or senior project manager (primarily office). Please send a cover letter identifying the position(s) for which you are applying, a copy of your vitae or resume, three references, and your salary requirements to jobs@acstempe.com by September 30, 2007 (although the position may be filled sooner if a qualified applicant is identified). ACS offers a competitive salary range and benefits, including participation in a 401(k) program, once certain criteria have been met. ACS does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. Please check us out on the web at
Http://www.acstempe.com

Thanks to Tom Weiss and Susan W. Dial for contributions to this issue of Southwestern Archaeology Today.

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

DNA from Quids, Submerged Paleolithic New World Deposits, Utah History & Kathleen Gilmore

Southwestern Archaeology Making the News - A Service of the Center for Desert Archaeology

- Ancient DNA Recovered from Basketmaker Quid's: In the September Journal of Field Archaeology, LeBlanc and several co-authors report that they have recovered DNA from 2000-year-old quids, as well as from aprons worn by Native Americans. The quids and aprons belonged to a vanished tribe that archaeologists call the Western Basketmakers. Between about 500 B.C.E. and 500 C.E., they lived in caves and rock shelters in what is now southern Utah and northern Arizona. Dry conditions are ideal for preserving DNA, and researchers have previously extracted ancient DNA from skeletons and feces of both humans and animals.
http://sciencenow.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/2007/822/4

- Submerged Canadian Site May Provide Evidence on the Peopling of the New World: In a Canadian archeological project that could revolutionize understanding of when and how humans first reached the New World, federal researchers in B.C. have begun probing an underwater site off the Queen Charlotte Islands for traces of a possible prehistoric camp on the shores of an ancient lake long since submerged by the Pacific Ocean.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/b4mk - Times Colonist

- Utah History Conference Begins Next Week: Many Voices, Utah State History's 55th annual conference, will look at history from multiple perspectives. Acclaimed author James Loewen will give the keynote address. Loewen, author of Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your History Textbook Got Wrong, will speak on "Hidden in Plain View: How History Keeps Us Racist." The next day, he will give workshops on improving the teaching of history. That evening, the Rev. France Davis will speak on the African-American Religious Experience, and the ever-energetic Calvary Baptist Choir will provide gospel music. The conference also will include tours; workshops on historic preservation for local governments; and an entire day of free, engaging presentations on history, with such diverse topics as the Mountain Meadows Massacre, Wallace Stegner, the archaeology of the Walker War, the history of soccer in Utah, and a preview of the Utah State Capitol.
http://history.utah.gov/news_and_events/news_briefs/index.html#conf

- 105th Anniversary of the Arrival of the Birch Overland Mail Celebrated This Weekend in San Diego: On June 12, 1857, a mail contract was awarded to James E. Birch to carry mail over a route linking San Antonio, Texas with San Diego, California. Like most stage operations in rugged terrain, the Birch operation used mules to draw lightweight stage coaches with canvass tops called Celerity Stages or mudwagons. Birch’s Overland Mail, officially called the San Diego-San Antonio Mail Company, began its first trip from San Antonio, Texas on July 9, 1857, just 27 days after the mail contract was awarded. The route went from San Antonio through El Paso, Tucson, Yuma and ended in San Diego. From Tucson, the route followed the Rio Santa Cruz north to the Rio Gila then along the Gila to Yuma. This route followed Cooke's Wagon Road built by the Mormon Battalion in 1846. This was also called the Southern Emigrant Trail during the California Gold Rush of 1849. The little known Birch Overland Mail was the nation's first transcontinental mail line. It was replaced over a portion of its route by the Butterfield Overland Mail in 1858, which was in turn taken over by Wells Fargo in 1960.
http://www.cdarc.org/sat/birch-overland-mail.pdf

- Kathleen Gilmore, One of the Most Unique Archaeologists in Texas: Archaeologist Kathleen Gilmore has unlocked some of the most elusive mysteries of Texas history. She spent decades hunting down the location of the French explorer La Salle's lost fort before discovering it near the Gulf Coast. She also excavated a number of Spanish colonial forts in Texas, including Mission Rosario, near Goliad. At age 92, the Preston Hollow resident will visit Spain in December to study a recently discovered cache of documents sent from early Texas missions.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/iu6e - Dallas Morning News

- Nevada Department of Transportation Rewarded for Proper Treatment of Cultural Resources: The Nevada Department of Transportation has received two awards for its handling of the discovery of one of northern Nevada's largest prehistoric villages. The discovery was made near the right-of-way for Phase 2A of the Carson bypass four years ago. NDOT officials hired the Louis Berger Group to handle the archaeological excavation. The three-year project unearthed thousands of Native American artifacts and located 48 dwelling sites.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/br3w - Nevada Appeal

- Employment Opportunity, Curator of Archaeology, College of Eastern Utah Museum:
The College of Eastern Utah (CEU) Prehistoric Museum is seeking a Curator of Archeology. The Museum is located in Price, Utah and houses a prehistoric archaeological collection of over 700,000 artifacts. Eastern Utah is in the heart of rich archaeological resources including Archaic, Fremont and Ute rock art. The Museum is strategically located two hours from Range Creek.
http://www.cdarc.org/sat/ceu_curator.doc - Ms Word Document

Thanks to Terry Colvin, Brian Kenny and Dr Jackson Underwood for contributing to this issue of Southwestern Archaeology Today.

Monday, August 27, 2007

Navajo Protests at Chaco Canyon, Navajo Traders, More Money for Mesa Verde

Southwestern Archaeology Making the News - A Service of the Center for Desert Archaeology

- Protest at Chaco Canyon: Terms such as "National Park Service" and "national monument" were foreign to the Navajos who lived in Chaco Canyon 100 years ago. A century ago this year — on March 11, 1907 — the government declared the ancient ruins a national monument, and by the 1950s, it had erected a fence to keep the Navajos out. The designation was the start of a century of tension, said Lee Norberto, who was born in the canyon and later moved 10 miles outside the fence. "That's our country, that's our land," he said. "Our ancestors and religion (are) there, and we wanted to live there for the rest of our time."
http://www.daily-times.com//ci_6703885?IADID

- Navajo Views of Chaco Canyon: The wind blows eerily through the gaping windows of the old Navajo Chaco Church, stirring the fallen shingles that litter the floor inside. Once a mainstay of the tiny Navajo community, the crumbling church stands as a reminder of what was lost when many of the younger residents moved into the cities. In its peak, the community — which lies within view of Chaco Culture National Historical Park — included a preschool, a trading post and a landing strip for small aircraft, said Chaco resident Leonard Dempsey.|
http://www.daily-times.com/ci_6721900?source=most_emailed

- New Exhibit in Window Rock Highlights Navajo Traders: When historians Klara Kelley and Harris Francis began their ethnographic field work on the Diné and Diné traders in the 1980s, they stumbled across what would initiate an unforeseen 20-year project. As they conducted interviews with elders on a regular basis for research projects related to preserving the land and religious protection, they began hearing reoccurring stories about different Diné traders. Even as historians, learning about the vast number of traders was astounding.
http://www.gallupindependent.com/2007/august/082407nkj_dinetraders.html

- Additional Funding for Mesa Verde: Mesa Verde National Park is in line to receive $1.9 million in funding for projects, National Park Service Director Mary Bomar announced this week.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/kol2 - Cortez Journal
http://www.cdarc.org/page/dzmx - Rocky Mountain News

- Archaeology and Preservation at Fort Lewis College: Another Community Services grant allowed the college to conduct a preservation plan and survey of the Old Fort site. Archaeology professor Mona Charles this summer supervised four students who surveyed and excavated a 247-acre section and uncovered what Charles described as a living historical document of the campus. The artifacts recovered create a timeline: prehistoric shards that predate the ancestral Puebloans (2,000 B.C. to 500 A.D.); military cartridges and buttons from its first incarnation as a U.S. Army outpost from 1881 to 1892; bottles, vials and personal items covering the educational period - first as an American Indian boarding school, then later as a public school and a college.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/l9m3 - Durango Herald

- Visiting Keet Seel: Soft light bathes the walls of Keet Seel as dawn passes to morning, and ranger Max Benally says we must leave soon. He looks out into the canyon. I want more time, but Benally was kind enough to bring me here when the air was cool, the light gray, when songbirds and ravens began to stir. I move within the alcove, my camera resting on a rickety tripod of bent metal and duct tape. A woodpecker taps on a fallen beam and flies out of the ruin. There is no wind, not a cloud in the sky. It is the start of a beautiful day, with the same red glow that must have greeted the Pueblo Indians who once lived here. I shoot several more frames and we climb down a 70-foot ladder to the path below.
http://www.azcentral.com/travel/arizona/features/articles/0824keet0826.html

- The City of Tucson and The Arizona Board of Regents Agree to Fund New Museum Complex: The Arizona Board of Regents approved an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Tucson and the UA to collaborate on the design, construction and operation of a combined Flandrau Science Center and Arizona State Museum in the Rio Nuevo district Downtown. The $130 million project will be entirely funded by the Rio Nuevo District Tax Increment Financing. The UA will operate the project. Designing of the facility is expected to begin in September, and the building is scheduled to open for Arizona's centennial in 2012.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/83o9 - Arizona Daily Wildcat

Friday, August 24, 2007

New Hohokam Exhibit in Mesa, Bond Funding for Honey Bee Village, Irma Moreno

Southwestern Archaeology Making the News - A Service of the Center for Desert Archaeology

- New Exhibit at Mesa Southwest Museum Explores Hohokam Platform Mounds: Before traveling to Mexico or Egypt to view ancient temples, check out the one in your backyard. The Mesa Grande Temple Mound is a well-preserved Hohokam site in the Southeast Valley. It's open only on special occasions, and from outside the enclosure, may seem just a dusty and creosote bush-covered mound, but an upcoming exhibit at Mesa Southwest Museum promises fresh insight into the spiritual side of Hohokam life.
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0822mr-hohokam0823.html

- Bond Funding Proposed to Improve Interpretive Features at Honeybee Village: Honey Bee Village is what remains of a Hohokam settlement located in Oro Valley east of North Rancho Vistoso Boulevard and south of the Moore Road alignment. The Hohokam first settled in the village, which was along the Honey Bee Wash in the Cañada del Oro Valley, around A.D. 450, according to the Center for Desert Archaeology. Those 13 acres are meant to become a public preserve, both town and county officials said. "The 2008 proposal is to make that site accessible to the public," said Roger Anyon, cultural resources program manager for the county's Cultural Resources and Historic Preservation Office. If approved, most of the bond money would go toward creating trails and interpretative signs, he said.
http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/197575

- Irma Moreno is a Living History Treasure for Tucson: When Irma Moreno was in school, she disliked studying history. But a curious thing happened to Moreno one day in 1999. Having retired from 22 years of teaching elementary school on the South Side and wanting to do something interesting and useful, Moreno walked into a building to ask about being a volunteer. It was the Arizona Historical Society by the university.
There she discovered the history she had been taught to dislike. The society staff opened her eyes to the vastness that is Tucson's history.
http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/197925.php

- National Park Service Celebrates 91st Anniversary This Saturday. The National Park Service, America's premier conservation agency -- turns 91 years old this week with millions of citizens enjoying historic treasures from Independence Hall to Mesa Verde and famous natural sanctuaries such as Yellowstone, Yosemite and the Everglades. Today, the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees (CNPSR), whose more than 600 members cumulatively served 17,000 years in the National Park Service, voiced hope that a new era of reinvestment in national parks is dawning.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/hqr - Yahoo News

- National Park Service Agrees to Support Expansion of Trail for San Antonio Missions: The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park's proposal to build a new trail connecting Mission San Jose to hike and bike lanes along Mission Trail has been declared eligible to receive federal matching funds. The local friends group of the park, Los Compadres de San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, has raised $48,700 through individual donors and fund-raising events toward the new trail.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/dbqy - San Antonio Business Journal

- 115 Years of Preservation at Casa Grande: Last June, the local landmark celebrated 115 years as nationally protected grounds. In fact, Casa Grande Ruins was the first prehistoric and cultural site to be established in the United States. The Casa Grande represented the centerpiece of the Hohokam irrigation farming culture, which flourished in the Gila River Valley beginning sometime between 300 B.C. and 300 A.D. By the Classic Period (1100-1450 A.D.), experts believe that anywhere from 5,000 to 10,000 Hohokam inhabited the area, living along 300 miles of canals dug from the Gila River.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/6dkz - Tri Valley Central

- Man Fined for Illegal Excavations on San Carlos Reservation: A northeastern Arizona man has been ordered to pay $24,000 in federal fines for illegally digging for artifacts on an Indian reservation. Mark Anthony Brady of Springerville pleaded guilty to violating a federal law that prohibits digging for tribal artifacts on Indian lands. Brady was digging for artifacts at a prehistoric village site on the San Carlos Indian Reservation.
The Phoenix Business Journal.

- Coin Cache found in San Antonio: A backhoe uncovered about 200 U.S. quarters, half dollars and silver dollars dating between 1852 and 1880. The crew also found a gold coin from that era. The value of the coins largely depends on their condition, and many are green with corrosion. Suneson said he doesn't expect to make a fortune selling the hoard. He's more interested in the mystery of how the coins wound up underground, forgotten.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/89as - My San Antonio.Com

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Southwestern Archaeology Today for August 22, 2007

Southwestern Archaeology making the News – A Service of the Center for Desert Archaeology

- Ancient Bead Trade in the Southwest: A leading expert on prehistoric Southwest jewelry has claimed Indian beads were one of the marvels of Native technology. Even a casual glance at some of the tiny, beautifully made examples recovered by archaeologists would force us to agree. Ancient trade routes stretching across the Southwest connected important manufacturing and trading centers at which redistribution of goods occurred. In this early-day commerce, beads had high value and were much in demand.
http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/66885.html

- Nevada’s Most Endangered Historic Treasures: The Goldfield school, Commercial Row in Wells and the rail yard in Ely are among Nevada's most endangered historic treasures, a preservation group said in a new report. The Virginia Street Bridge in Reno also remains on the list issued by Preserve Nevada, along with Reno's Hillside Cemetery, the Round Hill Pine Resort at Lake Tahoe and the First Presbyterian Church in Carson City.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/nevada/2007/aug/21/082110010.html

- Historical Context and Inventory Study of WWII Internment Camps Available Online:
The final edition of the Context, Inventory, and Heritage WW II POW Camps on DoD Installations (Legacy Project 05-256) is now available on DENIX. The PDF file includes the historic context, inventory of POW camps, and seven documentation reports of existing features on current DoD installations. The report is 110MBs, so expect downloading to take a few minutes. The report is available to the public at:
http://www.cdarc.org/page/7o8d - US Department of Defense

- Lecture in Tucson to Focus Upon Pioneering Hispanic Family: Thursday, August 30, 2007 at 6:30 PM, at the Presidio San Agustin del Tucson park. Archaeologist Homer Thiel will present “Francisco Solano Leon and Ramona Elias: A Presidio Family." The park is located at the southwest corner of Church Avenue and Washington Street, one block north of the domed Pima County Courthouse. Refreshments will be served.

Monday, August 20, 2007

Southwestern Archaeology Today for August 20, 2007

Southwestern Archaeology Making the News – A Service of the Center for Desert Archaeology

- New Museum In Tuba City Highlights Navajo Culture: Jocelyn Billy, the reigning Miss Navajo, was one of the speakers at the grand-opening ceremonies for the Explore Navajo Interactive Museum here in late July. She spoke in her native language, then repeated her remarks in English. The message was the same: It is time for Navajos to share their culture with the world.
http://www.azcentral.com/travel/arizona/features/articles/0817navajo0812.html

- Book Review – Anasazi America: But another lost civilization, right here in North America, offers not just examples of failure to avoid but also of success to imitate. Anasazi America, by David E. Stuart, an archaeologist specializing in the Southwest, offers an excellent introduction to this oh-so-relevant history.
http://thetyee.ca/Books/2007/08/17/Anasazi/

- Apache Acorn Harvest In Payson: Members of the White Mountain Apache tribe can be seen all over Payson. For the last two or three weeks now in various spots around town, groups ranging from entire families to just a couple of Native Americans from the White Mountain Apache tribe have been seen gathering something in the fields and open lots around Payson. They have been collecting acorns to get the oak nuts inside them from the numerous oak trees in and around town.
http://www.paysonroundup.com/section/localnews/story/30132

- Arizona Humanities Council Lecture to Examine Archaeological and Cultural Views of the Treatment of the Dead: Allen Dart Presents “ What Do We Do with Our Ancestors” Saturday September 8, 2007, 10 a.m. to noon at the Yavapai Apache Nation Tribal Headquarters, 2400 W. Datsi, Camp Verde. Ever since archaeology became an active intellectual pursuit, many archaeologists have held that all materials left behind by ancient peoples, including human remains as well as artifacts, are proper subjects for scientific study, and that these materials should all be preserved in museums to keep them accessible for study in the future. In contrast, some Native Americans and others believe that human remains and grave objects should not be subjected to any kind of destructive scientific studies, or not even disturbed or studied at all, and that if they are disturbed they should be respectfully reburied.
http://www.cdarc.org/sat/opac-ancestors.doc – Ms Word Document

Friday, August 17, 2007

Southwestern Archaeology Today for August 17 , 2007

Southwestern Archaeology Making the News - A Service of the Center For Desert Archaeology

- New Mural in Tucson Depicts Hohokam Designs: The mural's background design is taken from motifs from Hohokam pots, said one of the designers, Desert View High School teacher Brenda Semanick. "We decided on the Hohokam design because there are a lot of Hohokam ruins in the nearby Tanque Verde basin," she said.
http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/196745

- Settlement Reached in Fraudulent Native Arts Case. An American Indian arts group has reached a settlement in its lawsuit accusing a St. George store owner of misrepresenting goods as being made by Indian artists. The Chicago-based Native American Arts Inc., representing Ho-Chunk tribal members, had demanded $8 million from Milne Jewelry Co. in a complaint filed in 2005. A confidential settlement was reached on Aug. 6, according to court records. Company owner Irwin Milne did not admit guilt but agreed not to violate the Indian Arts and Craft Act, essentially a truth-in-advertising law that makes it unlawful to sell counterfeit Indian artwork.
http://www.sltrib.com/business/ci_6634937

- GILA Cliff Dwellings Announces Centennial Events For September: Throughout 2007, Gila Cliff Dwellings’ theme Celebrating a Century of Storytelling will guide the special events and programs at the monument, leading up to the actual 100th anniversary on November 16, 2007. Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument Superintendent Steve Riley announced September centennial celebration activities.
http://www.cdarc.org/sat/gcd-sept.doc - Ms Word Document

- Bighorn Sheep Returned to Ancient Range: For the hunters and gatherers who called northern New Mexico home in prehistoric times, seeing Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep roam from the state's highest peaks down the 800-foot basalt cliffs that form the Rio Grande Gorge was part of life. Petroglyphs chiseled into boulders up and down the river depict big-horned mammals, but it was long ago that the majestic animals disappeared from the area. State and federal wildlife managers have been working years on the prospect of reintroducing the past, and they took a major step over the weekend as they lifted the latch on a livestock trailer and a group of bighorn sheep -- after bit of hesitation -- thundered out, scrambling one after the other up the rocks
http://www.cdarc.org/page/ekad - Casper Tribune

- Employment Opportunity - Cultural Resources Program Manager, Maricopa County Department of Transportation, Phoenix, Arizona: Primary responsibility will be to manage MCDOT’s cultural resources program. This program evaluates capital improvements projects and other miscellaneous projects to determine the presence of archaeological and/or historical resources. The Cultural Resources Program Manager will oversee the consultant on-call program. A secondary responsibility for this position will be the coordination of hazardous materials investigations for various roadway projects. Thirdly, this position will also be asked to assist with the research and preparation of environmental documents; i.e. environmental overviews, categorical exclusions, and environmental assessments. Requires Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, History or related field and three years of experience working with environmental and cultural regulations and policies. A Masters degree may substitute for one year of experience. $53,643-$64,750. Great benefits package including flexible 9/80 work schedule, tuition reimbursement, and 3 weeks paid time off per year. To apply, go to http://www.maricopa.gov/human_resources/jobs_index.asp (Real Estate, Planning, Zoning).

- Employment Opportunity - City Of Phoenix Historic Preservation Planner: Coordinates and assists in the implementation of the City's Historic Preservation Program. Prepares and processes historic preservation zoning cases; performs design reviews of Certificate of Appropriateness applications; manages major rehabilitation work on city-owned historic sites; reviews city projects for compliance with city, state and federal historic preservation regulations; performs historic research and survey work; helps to manage historic preservation incentive programs; performs public outreach; prepares reports and makes public presentations; enforces the city historic preservation ordinance; and provides technical, architectural and historical design guidance to City staff, elected officials, citizens, boards and commissions.
http://www.phoenix.gov/jobs

Monday, August 13, 2007

Southwestern Archaeology Today for August 13 , 2007

Southwestern Archaeology Making the News – A Service of the Center for Desert Archaeology

- Quechua Tribe Asserts Heritage Rights in Case that May Test Bounds of Cultural Resource Law: Squinting against the harsh desert sun, Mike Jackson, leader of the Quechan Indians, looks out past his tribe’s casino and the modern sprawl of Yuma and points to the sandy flatlands and the rust-colored Gila mountain range shimmering in the distance. “They came this way,” he says, describing how his ancestors followed the winding course of the Colorado River and ranged over hundreds of miles of what is now western Arizona and southeastern California. “There’s a lot of important history here, both for the Quechan and the U.S.”. And if it’s up to him, that history will go a long way in determining the future of this corner of the West, one of the fastest-growing parts of the country and a place where developers are increasingly running up against newly powerful but tradition-minded American Indian leaders like Mr. Jackson.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/gbp5 - NY Times. (Link Expires 8/19/2007)

- Santa Fe Indian Market Begins This Week: The event is held annually in August, with this year's market getting underway this week. There's a preview show Friday night, which will be followed by the market on Saturday and Sunday. Nearly 80,000 collectors, artists and tourists are expected to attend. Craftsmen and artists say it's the place where Indian art meets the world.
http://travel.latimes.com/articles/la-tr-santafe12aug12

- (Related Story) New Publications on the Art and Archaeology of the Southwest: As Santa Fe prepares to host the world's largest show of American Indian arts and crafts, thousands of visitors travel to New Mexico to see and collect traditional and contemporary Indian art. Before you visit shows, exhibits and galleries, you might want to do a some research online to learn more about your favorite art and collectibles or pick up a book that will offer insights on American Indian heritage, as well as arts, crafts and culture. Here are a few publications to get you started.
http://www.lcsun-news.com/sunlife/ci_6587064

- 14th Annual New Mexico Archaeology Fair Scheduled for Oct 12-13 in Grants: Cibola County is rich with history that includes more than just fire and ice. Its past is full of natural geological activity, including volcanos and lava flows that are the region’s signature, but it also has a past that includes ancient and some not so ancient artifacts. Many people are familiar with pueblos and cultures that date back thousands of years, but archeology unearths the past of others in the region including Anglo and Hispanics. It’s not surprising then that the 14th annual New Mexico Archaeology Fair will be in Grants on Oct. 12-13 at the city hall park on Santa Fe Avenue.
http://www.gallupindependent.com/2007/august/081107mm_nmarchfair.html

Arizona SHPO Publishes New “Guidance Point” Guide to Surface Collections Online: Dear Friends of Historic Preservation, the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) is pleased to announce its newest document in the SHPO Guidance Point series: Guidance Point No. 7 provides guidance on “Surface Artifact Collection During the Survey/Identification Phase” and is available for downloading on the Arizona State Parks website, SHPO pages, at
http://www.azstateparks.com/partnerships/shpo/shpo_rc.html

- Ranger Guided Hikes Showcase the Hohokam Petroglyphs of the White Tanks (Near Phoenix) : In the bright and burning sun, Park Ranger Bill “Doc” Talboys pointed out a rock to a group of six hikers. The large stone bore symbols that resembled a moon, a human and possibly a river. Known as petroglyphs, the markings were made thousands of years ago, he said, by the Hohokam Indian tribe in parts of the White Tank Mountains.
http://www.dailynews-sun.com/news/park_538___article.html/fee_trail.html

- Hohokam Site Slows Sale of Property in Mesa: The city's plan to sell park property to the developers of the Waveyard resort has hit a snag after an ancient system of irrigation canals built by the Hohokams has been found beneath Riverview Park. Mesa can't sell 25 acres of parkland at the Riverview softball fields until the area has been surveyed for artifacts and excavated.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/ct65 - East Valley Tribune

- Planning Meeting for Arizona Archaeology Expo Planned for Sept 7th: Please come and share your ideas as the SHPO initiates planning for the 2008 Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month (AAHAM) celebration. We will be deciding on a theme for the month, identifying our partners, discussing the 2008 Arizona Archaeology Expo (to be held at the Arizona State Museum, University of Arizona, Tucson), and exchanging ideas for the promotion of this important educational program within our state. Friday, September 7, 2007 at 10:00 a.m.State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), Arizona State Parks, 1300 W. Washington, Phoenix, First Floor Meeting Room (off ASP Reception Area). For More Information, Please Contact: Ann Howard, Public Archaeology Programs Manager, SHPO, 602/542-7138, avh2@azstateparks.gov

- AZ SHPO Seeking Proposals for 2009 Archaeology Expo: Dear Friends of Historic Preservation, the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) is in the process of seeking a host location for the 2009 Arizona Archaeology Expo which will be an important component of the celebration of 2009 Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month (March of 2009). If you are interested in being a host, please complete the proposal form and submit it to Ann Howard, Public Archaeology Programs Manager, either by e-mail or snail mail. We hope to hear from you! For More Information, Please Contact: Ann Howard, Public Archaeology Programs Manager, SHPO, 602/542-7138, avh2@azstateparks.gov
http://www.cdarc.org/sat/2009-expo.doc - Ms Word Document

- Employment Opportunity: EcoPlan has an immediate need for an experienced field archaeologist to assist construction crews along Interstate 10 near Tucson, Arizona. Construction is anticipated to begin in late August 2007 and employment will last between 8 and 12 months. The archaeologist would accompany crews during ground disturbing activities, halt construction if archaeological or human remains are encountered, complete daily logs, and prepare status reports. The successful applicant would be able to work independently, would live in the greater Tucson area, have previous archaeological survey and excavation experience, and a familiarity with current archaeological methods. EcoPlan will provide a vehicle for transportation and lunch compensation. Maximum wages are set at $20 per hour, commensurate with experience. If interested in this position, please send resume, cover letter, and list of references by mail, fax, or e-mail to: Cultural Resources Group, EcoPlan Associates, Inc., 701 West Southern Avenue, Suite 203, Mesa, Arizona, 85210, Email CulturalJobs@ecoplanaz.com, Fax: 480 733 6661, No telephone calls, please.

Thursday, August 9, 2007

Southwestern Archaeology Today for August 9 , 2007

Southwestern Archaeology Making the News - A Service of the Center for Desert Archaeology

- New Exhibits on Chaco Canyon Open in Grants NM: Artists, anthropologists, National Park representatives and a film crew mingled at the opening of the “Celebrating Chaco” show at the Double Six Gallery Saturday. One of the most fascinating exhibits was a scale model of Pueblo Bonito with an interpretation of the designs, sizes and positions of the great kivas. Casa Rinconada, which was built between 900 and 1200 A.D., is depicted in detail. The models were provided by the park staff, led by Chief of Interpretation Russ Bodner.
http://www.cibolabeacon.com/articles/2007/08/06/news/news7.txt

- Arizona State Museum To Expand into Downtown Tucson: The City Council on Monday formally acknowledged that $130 million in city Rio Nuevo funds will be dedicated to building the University of Arizona Science Center and adjoining Arizona State Museum.
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/local/59444.php

-Thirteenth Century Climatic Change: The authors review and discuss possible impacts of early-11th-, middle-12th-, and late-13th-century droughts on three Native American cultures that occupied parts of the western United States (Anasazi, Fremont, Lovelock) plus another culture that occupied parts of southwestern Illinois (Cahokia).
http://www.cdarc.org/page/fikl - CO2 Science

-Tucson Anniversary Celebration Lectures at the Tucson Origins Presidio Park: Thursday, Aug 9., 6:30 p.m. “The Santa Cruz River and Environs: Past and Present,” by Gayle Hartmann. This talk will discuss the ever- changing Santa Cruz River, how it has changed in the past, why it has changed, and how these changes have affected the people who live here. Thursday, Aug. 16, 6:30 p.m. “4,000 Years of Tucson’s History at the Mission San Agustín,” by Irma Moreno. Recent archaeological excavations have revealed that small farming settlements were present near the base of “A” Mountain along the Santa Cruz River 4,000 years ago. This talk will discuss the results of excavations at the Mission San Agustin and Mission Gardens that help fill in the gaps of Tucson’s early history.

- Lecture on the Role and Status of Women in the Colonial Southwest (Tucson): Thursday August 16, 2007, "Archaeological Evidence of Women on the Spanish Colonial Frontier" by Rebecca Waugh, Ph.D. [Rescheduled from July 19.] On the Spanish colonial frontier in what is now Arizona, many different people made their lives at towns, presidios, ranchos, and other settlements. The archaeological record at these historical sites helps us understand how different segments of society, like women, may have contributed to the culture, and this record enriches understanding of how colonial Spanish society developed on the frontier. Old Pueblo Archaeology Center's monthly "Third Thursdays" guest speaker presentations are held on the third Thursday of every month from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in the Old Pueblo Archaeology Center Auditorium, 5100 W. Ina Road Bldg. 8.

- What is Archaeology, a New Video on the Archaeology Channel: Sometimes it helps to ask why we do what we do. And those of us who've been around for a while can benefit from a fresh perspective, such as you will see in What Is Archaeology?, With scenes from 2006 fieldwork in central Washington state and an original musical accompaniment, archaeologist Faith Haney offers her personal interpretation of archaeology. Haney created this video as a Career Day exhibit for Middle School students and in the process captured key insights about the values and purposes of archaeology. Although not intended to represent archaeology in all its worldwide manifestations or to speak for archaeologists everywhere, this video gives valid answers to some often-asked questions.
http://www.archaeologychannel.org/

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Southwestern Archaeology Today for August 1, 2007

Southwestern Archaeology Making the News – A Service of the Center For Desert Archaeology

- EPA Launches New Tribal Portal Website: The Environmental Protection Agency has
launched the first-of-its-kind portal website to help the tribal community, its supporters and the public find tribal environmental information and data through a single web-based access point.
http://www.epa.gov/tribalportal

- Hohokam Canals Found at ASU Construction Site: When Arizona State University students move into a new residence hall and honors college in fall 2009, they will be living and learning among historical findings. Two canals from the Hohokam time period have been unearthed at Apache Boulevard and Rural Road - the future home of ASU's Barrett Honors College. The college is currently housed at Apache Boulevard and College Avenue.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/ke4q - Arizona Republic

- Arizona State Museum Develops Innovative Cell Phone Tour of Mexican Mask Exhibit: An audio tour of the Masks of Mexico exhibition is now available by cell phone! Call 408-794-0850, listen to the prompt and then press the number of the episode you want (1-12) followed by the pound (#) sign. It’s free except for the airtime. Press 0# to leave comments, which we will receive electronically.

- Employment Opportunity, Arizona Field Archaeologists: Logan Simpson Design Inc. is seeking to fill multiple, full-time, archaeologist positions to conduct cultural resources surveys and excavations. The surveys are located throughout remote regions of Arizona. Lodging and per diem are paid for out of town projects. Individuals must be familiar with completion of site forms, use of GPS, and capable of surveying in remote locations and over steep terrain for extended periods of time. The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic and have completed a minimum of a B.A. in Anthropology, an archaeological field school, and have experience conducting fieldwork in the Southwest. Excavation projects are local and no per diem or lodging will be provided. For immediate consideration, e-mail your resume with references and a daytime phone number to: STinsman@lsdaz.com

- Employment Opportunity, Archaeologists: Logan Simpson Design Inc. is seeking to fill a permanent, full-time, archaeologist position to supervise cultural resources surveys throughout northern Arizona. Individual must have supervisory experience conducting survey on the Navajo Nation, Coconino, Kaibab, and Tonto National Forests, and must have expertise in identifying the full range of prehistoric ceramics found in northern Arizona. The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic and have completed a minimum of an M.A. in Anthropology. Individual must be familiar with completion of site forms, use of GPS, and capable of surveying in remote locations and over steep terrain for extended periods of time. For immediate consideration, e-mail your resume with references and a daytime phone number to: hr@lsdaz.com