Oil Drilling and Ancient Sites in the Galisteo Basin, Looting In National Parks

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

- Drilling in New Mexico's Galisteo Basin may Impact Ancient Sites: The basin, with its rugged mesas and open vistas, is one of the most pristine natural landscapes in our state. The basin also holds large ancestral Pueblo villages, extensive rock art, Spanish Colonial period settlements and missions, and historic trails. The archaeological remains of more than seven centuries of human endeavor in the Galisteo Basin lie largely undisturbed as a legacy for future generations.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/6xn3 - (Robert Powers, in the Santa Fe New Mexican)

- Summary of Galisteo Controversy at Santa Fe New Mexican:
http://www.santafenewmexican.com/oil/

- Looting Impacts on National Parks: Looting of fossils and archaeological artifacts from national parks — such as Native American pottery and Civil War relics — is increasing as demand for such items rises on the Internet and the world market, U.S. National Park Service officials say.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-01-23-looting_N.htm?csp=34

- New Superintendent at Bandelier: Bandelier National Monument near Los Alamos has gotten a new superintendent. Brad Traver, a 26-year veteran of the National Park Service, took over the job this week. He succeeds Darlene Koontz, who became the superintendent at Lassen Volcanic National Park in California last year.
http://www.lcsun-news.com/ci_8046377

- Civic Tourism; New Publication and Conference Announcement: The March 2006 civic tourism conference in Prescott, Arizona, was attended by people from 35 states, Canada, and Mexico, and was called a "landmark" meeting by more than a few people. Watch Gov. Napolitano's welcome to the conference at the civic tourism website, and read participant evaluations here. Now a new book has been published and another conference will be held this October. "Civic Tourism: The Poetry & Politics of Place" was just published and is available through the civic tourism website. We are selling the book exclusively through Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, Arizona, and we encourage you to support local businesses and purchase your copy online through Changing Hands, named Publisher’s Weekly “Bookstore of the Year” in 2007. A book signing will be held at Changing Hands, Feb. 13 at 7 PM.
http://www.civictourism.org/

- Field School Announcement, University of Utah at Range Creek: Anthropology students can spend the summer digging at Range Creek Canyon, a ranch in east central Utah about 60 miles from the nearest town, surrounded by juniper trees and sagebrush with nearby rugged cliff walls bearing Fremont Indian rock art. Applications are now being accepted for U students to do field work in June and July for the Archaeology Field School at the location.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/kvvx - Daily Utah Chronicle

- Publication Announcement: Prehistoric Southwest Pottery Types and Wares by Norman “Ted” Oppelt. In 2007, Ted Oppelt published the latest version of his reference text on Southwestern pottery. The current edition includes color photos of 220 types and 25 wares (both whole vessels and sherds), a welcome addition to this comprehensive manual. The book also includes bibliographic references for major sources of information. The 150-page spiral bound volume can be ordered directly from Mr. Oppelt (contact nrmoppelt@aol.com).