Another Light Sentence in 4-Corners Artifact Case

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

Another Light Sentence in 4-Corners Artifact Case
Nicholas K. Laws has maintained he never collected ancient American Indian artifacts for sale, but when he was offered money by a federal informant the father of three desperately needed it. "For my client, this was not a living," Laws' attorney, Randy S. Ludlow, said in federal court Monday. "He was never doing it to make a fast buck."
http://tinyurl.com/263o2ef - Washington Examiner

Documentary Project "Postcards from the Parks" Looks to Resuscitate Arizona State Park System
Due to budget cuts enacted by the Arizona State Legislature and signed by Governor Jan Brewer, the state's park system is on the verge of complete collapse. A documentary film project entitled "Postcards from the Parks," created by four friends who visited all of the parks over a six-month period, details the problems our state parks face and
how it effects us all.
http://www.cdarc.org/sat/postcards.doc - MS Word Document

Hopi Government Renews Pledge to Stop Snowmaking on San Francisco Peaks
The Hopi Tribe's legislative body voted unanimously Thursday to use any remaining legal avenues to stop snowmaking at Arizona Snowbowl, the tribe's leader said Friday. "Ultimately and straightforwardly, we're just opposed to any snowmaking at all," said Chairman Le Roy Shingoitewa.
http://www.azdailysun.com/news/local/31987aeb-5ac7-5af2-888b-0ad50d48e1dc.html

Extinction of Woolly Mammoth, Saber-Toothed Cat May Have Been Caused by Human Predation
New analysis of the extinction of woolly mammoths and other large mammals more than 10,000 years ago suggests that they may have fallen victim to the same type of "trophic cascade" of ecosystem disruption that scientists say is being caused today by the global decline of predators such as wolves, cougars, and sharks.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100701072732.htm

Hips Don't Lie: Researchers Find More Accurate Technique to Determine Sex of Skeletal Remains
Research from North Carolina State University offers a new means of determining the sex of skeletal human remains -- an advance that may have significant impacts in the wake of disasters, the studying of ancient remains and the criminal justice system.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100706112601.htm

Viejas Ceremonial Sanctified Burial Site to be Protected ‘In Perpetuity’
California Attorney General Jerry Brown filed a lawsuit June 24 against a water district which continued construction on a site that has been determined to be sacred to the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians and should be permanently protected.
http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/national/southwest/97664204.html

Excavation Tour Opportunity (Tucson)
EcoPlan Associates, Inc. is conducting data recovery excavations at several archaeological sites on the Santa Cruz floodplain, in Tucson, along Interstate 10 between Prince and Ruthrauff Roads in advance of Arizona Department of Transportation road widening and reconstruction of the Prince Road traffic interchange. Thus far, excavations have revealed extensive Early Agricultural occupation of the area, as well as both later Hohokam (Rillito/Rincon) and earlier Middle Archaic components. Please join EcoPlan archaeologists for a tour of the project area and a summary of our findings on Wednesday July 21, 2010 at 7 am. The tour will meet at the intersection of Prince Road and Business Center Drive, west of I-10 (Exit 254). On-street parking is available. Please note that hard hats and reflective safety vests are REQUIRED of all visitors. Please bring your own. Carpooling is encouraged. Please contact Dan Garcia (480 733 6666 x105 or dgarcia@ecoplanaz.com) with any questions.

Mesa Verde Region and Crow Canyon to Share Pueblo Cultures Via Preserve America Grant
Mesa Verde Country will give its Indian Arts and Culture Festival a boost and translate its website into languages around the world with a Preserve America grant. "It's helping us to go global," said Mesa Verde Country Tourism Director Lynn Dyer. The $89,822 grant has been a long time coming, Dyer said. Mesa Verde Country applied for it in conjunction with Crow Canyon Archaeology Center in 2007, but payments were delayed because of the economy.
http://tinyurl.com/2uut4le - Durango Herald

Call For Papers For 81st Texas Archeological Society Annual Meeting
October 22-24, 2010 Omni Bayfront Hotel, Corpus Christi, Texas (361) 887-1600 TAS code:1450 0809 629 The Conference theme is Archeology without Borders.
You’re invited to join friends and colleagues for the 81th annual meeting of TAS. We hope to encourage colleagues south of the Rio Grande to attend and share their research with us. Papers and posters will be featured in sessions Friday afternoon and all day Saturday. The Public Forum and Career Social will attract regional visitors. Meetings and awards will honor many who have contributed to the Society and Texas archeology.
http://www.cdarc.org/sat/tas_cfp_10.doc - MS Word Document

Rock Art Scholar Returns To The Anasazi Heritage Center
Sally Cole, author and rock art expert, will give a talk and slide show at the Anasazi Heritage Center at 1 p.m. on Sunday, August 8. Cole will give her presentation on the human form in rock art, which was canceled last June due to technical difficulties. Admission will be free throughout the day. Cole is the author of "Legacy on Stone: Rock Art of the Colorado Plateau and Four Corners Region." Her book is considered the best regional rock art reference currently in print.
http:// www.blm.co.gov/ahc

Lecture Opportunity - Tucson
The monthly Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society lecture will be given by Roger Anyon and Linda Mayro. The topic is Preserving the Past for Future Generations: Accomplishments of the Pima County Historic Preservation Bond Program. Monday, July 19th, 7:30 pm. DuVal Auditorium, UMC, 1501 N. Campbell Ave. Free and open to the public.

Position Announcement - Assistant Curator of Archaeology
The University of Arizona, Arizona State Museum (ASM), invites applications for an Assistant Curator of Archaeology (Mandated Programs Administrator) with tenure-equivalent status. The position serves as the ASM Director's designee to administer Arizona Revised Statute §§41-841 et seq. and ARS §41-865 through ABOR Chapter VIII ASM Rules. The incumbent is expected to collaborate across a wide range of state, county, municipal, and federal agencies on issues related to the implementation of the Arizona Antiquities Act and the protection of the state's archaeological resources.
http://www.cdarc.org.sat/asm_cofa_info.pdf

Thanks to Vincent Murray and Adrianne Rankin for contributions to today's newsletter.