Chaco Cylinder Jar Lecture in Tucson, Possible Reprieve for Texas Preserve, Navajo Weaving

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

- The Enigmatic Mystery of Chacoan Cylinder Jars is the subject of the 2007 Southwest Land, Culture and Society Annual Distinguished Lecture: There are only 210 known ceramic cylinder jars in the prehispanic American Southwest. 192 of those come from Pueblo Bonito in Chaco Canyon. Patricia Crown, professor of anthropology at the University of New Mexico, explores the production of the unusual vessels and reveals new insights into their use at Chaco. Lecture at 7:00 p.m. at the Center for English as a Second Language, room 102 (one building east of ASM north). Reception follows the lecture at Arizona State Museum. Free and open to the public.

- Park Service Offered Opportunity to Purchase Texas Preserve: The Texas School Land Board on Tuesday gave the National Park Service 90 days to submit an offer to buy the Christmas Mountains Ranch. Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson wants to sell the 9,000-acre tract, because the state, he says, cannot adequately conserve the land. The Conservation Fund donated the land to Texas in 1991 with strict restrictions on its use.
http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_7388710

- Hohokam Canals 101:"The Hohokam engineers were keenly aware of the local topography, the dips and slopes, drainages and soils. They developed a sophisticated knowledge of the flow of water through channels and developed a series of techniques for delivering water to the surface of the fields. Each technique was appropriate for a specific topographic setting, such as steep slopes and flat river terraces."
http://www.cdarc.org/page/dihj - The Arizona Republic

- Navajo Weavers, The Next Generation, Works on Display at the Heard: Discover the work of the next generation of Navajo weavers at the Heard Museum West's new exhibit. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Through March. Heard Museum West, 16126 N. Civic Center Plaza, Surprise. $2-$5. 623-344-2200, - The Arizona Republic
http://www.heard.org

- Related Story, Men who Weave: In William Whitehair's family, everyone weaves rugs, except for his sister. Despite the prevailing Navajo perspective that weaving is for women, the story goes that Whitehair's father supported his career choice. He said, "If you're going to weave, do it well."
http://www.parkrecord.com/ci_7386373?source=rss

- Second Archaeology Expo Planning Meeting for 2008 Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. State Historic Preservation Office, Arizona State Parks 1300 W. Washington, Phoenix. Please come and share your ideas as the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) continues planning for the 2008 Arizona Archaeology Expo that will be held on March 1-2, 2008 at the Arizona State Museum, the University of Arizona in Tucson. We will be exchanging ideas with the various partners; discussing programming, publicity, lay out and organization, sponsors, funding, off-site activities, etc. The SHPO values our partnerships with you & we hope to see you at this meeting, and at future planning efforts, for the 2008 AAHAM public programming. For More Information, Please Contact: Ann Howard, Public Archaeology Programs Manager State Historic Preservation Office 602/542-7138, avh2@azstateparks.gov or Rich Lange, Arizona State Museum 520/621-6275, langer@email.arizona.edu

- Archaeology of Caves and Rock Shelters to be Discussed at the Edge of the Cedars Musuem: Have you ever come across a rock shelter or cave and just had to look inside? Questions emerge: who else had been there; is that a fire hearth; did anyone ever sleep here; how old is that corn cob? As natural shelters, caves and even rock overhangs hold a mystique all their own. Humans have been drawn to caves since the beginning of time, for habitation, temporary shelter, storage, ceremonial observances, and connection to ancestors, among many other practical and spiritual considerations. Scott Nicolay has been fascinated by caves most of his adult life. It was this fascination that has led him to explore the history of human connection with natural openings in the landscape. Scott’s research focuses on the ritual use of caves and other earth openings in the Southwest. You are invited to hear Scott’s presentation on Thursday, November 15th, at 6:30 pm at Edge of the Cedars Museum. The program is free and open to everyone! The Edge of the Cedars Museum is located at 660 West, 400 North, Blanding, Utah. Contact us at 435-678-2238 for information on this and other quality programs and events.

- Archaeology and Geology of the Coachella Valley is the Subject of a Free Lecture on Saturday: Archaeologist Harry Quinn will discuss how the Coachella Valley's first inhabitants adapted the to the desert in "Secrets of the Santa Rosas" 10:30 a.m. this Saturday at the La Quinta Library. Quinn's talk, free and open to the public, will also touch on the geology of the Santa Rosa mountains and how the San Andreas fault system affects life in the valley. "People inquire all the time" about those issues, said Louise Neeley, La Quinta Historical Society board member. Quinn's presentation is part of Historical Society's monthly "Historical Perspectives" events. The event is free, and library is at 78-275 Calle Tampico. - The Desert Sun