Gathering in Tucson to Honor the Memory of Dwight Riggs

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

Gathering in Tucson to Honor the Memory of Dwight Riggs

Dwight left his friends with many memories. Memories yet to share. There is now a chance to meet with Dwight's diverse cadre of friends and give him the honor he is due. Dwight's family will be visiting Tucson on May 2, 2010, please plan to join them at Agua Caliente Park, 9:30 am to 12 pm.
Http://www.cdarc.org/sat/dwight_memorial.pdf


Utah State University Plans to Convert Historic Barn into Anthropology Museum

The aging, roughly 90-year-old "Art Barn" will be transformed into the USU Museum of Anthropology as early as December 2012. The remodeling will need a $4 million fundraising drive, said Museum of Anthropology Director Bonnie Pitblado. But even in a sagging economy, Pitblado is confident donors will pitch in. The project is a top priority for the university's College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, she said.
http://tinyurl.com/y9xm69o - Deseret News


Two Accused In Blanding Raids Expected to Plead Guilty

Two Moab residents accused of selling ancient tribal artifacts including a scrap of blanket or clothing, a loom component and a stone hoe stolen from public land may plead guilty next week. Brent Bullock, 62, faces five felony charges. His co-defendant, Tammy Shumway, 40, faces four felonies. They are scheduled to appear at a plea hearing Monday before U.S. District Judge Dale Kimball, court papers say. Bullock and Shumway, previously had been set to go to trial on May 3.
http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_14758618?source=rss


Update on Grapevine Canyon Petroglyph Vandalism

A 20-year-old Bullhead City, Ariz., man is suspected of vandalizing petroglyphs at Grapevine Canyon in Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Federal officials said the man was cited for defacing/disturbing an archaeological resource, using and discharging a weapon, littering and vandalism.
http://tinyurl.com/ykoarba - Arizona Republic


Archaeology Month to Be Celebrated at the V-Bar-V Ranch Near Sedona

In celebration of Archaeology Month, the Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest and volunteer partners are hosting V Bar V Archaeology Discovery Days and Agave Roast, Friday April 16 through Sunday April 18, 2010, 9:30 am - 3pm.
http://www.sedona.biz/v-bar-v-archaeology-days-sedona041710.php


National Park Service Plans Another Week of Free Admissions


Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced today that all 392 national parks will have free admission during National Park Week, April 17 to 25. Parks will also offer additional family friendly activities and special offers on tours, lodging, food, and souvenirs. A listing of parks and promotions is available at the link below.
http://www.nps.gov/npweek

Museum of Northern Arizona Announces Summer Festival Schedule

The Museum of Northern Arizona has been a strong supporter of the region’s natural and cultural heritage for more than 80 years. This year the museum will feature four festivals and a variety of shows that will continue to promote the strong cultures in the area; cultures that reflect those of the Zuni, Hopi, Navajo and Havasupai along with many others.
http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/living/tourism/89266352.html

Reminder - Huhugam Ki Museum to Host New Exhibit

"Pieces of the Puzzle - New Perspectives on the Hohokam" opens on Saturday March 27th 2010 at 10am, the Huhugam Ki Museum will open its doors allowing the public to view the traveling exhibit from the Center for Desert Archaeology, entitled "Pieces of the Puzzle: New Perspectives on the Hohokam." Research for this particular exhibit includes artifacts already excavated and cataloged in museum repositories from the state including Arizona State Museum and Pueblo Grande Museum. Research and theory had been put together by leading archeologists and museum fellows to present new perspectives on how the Hohokam are viewed by the scientific and anthropological fields.
http://www.cdarc.org/sat/pieces_press_release.doc - MS Word Document


Lecture Opportunity, Deer Valley Rock Art Center (Phoenix)

For prehistoric Southwest peoples, ceramic art was more than something to set on a shelf and admire. It was something to use for meals, for drinking, to carry water and store food, or to incorporate into a ceremony. Barbara Moulard, a faculty associate in the Herberger Institute School of Art, will give a free lecture on the painted ceramic art of prehistoric Southwest peoples, titled “Re-Creating the Word: Painted Ceramics of the Prehistoric Southwest,” at 1 p.m., April 3 at Arizona State University’s Deer Valley Rock Art Center.
http://asunews.asu.edu/20100315_ceramicslecture


National Preservation Institute to Offer Class in Conflict Resolution

Conflict Resolution and Consultation Tools for Cultural and Natural Resource Projects, Richmond, VA - May 18-20, 2010 in cooperation with the University of Virginia, Institute for Environmental Negotiation, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Laws and regulations related to cultural and natural resources often require participatory processes that can be mired in conflict and misunderstanding. Projects frequently can be more effectively navigated when stakeholders use collaborative processes to identify and resolve problems during consultation. Learn how to design and manage a collaborative process and how to use a range of tools associated with negotiation and consensus building through participatory role-plays, interactive exercises, and case studies. An agenda is available online at the link below.
http://www.npi.org


Employment Opportunity (Silver City)

Silver City Mainstreet Project seeks a new manager. The position is full time, with a salary of $30,000, and the application deadline is April 16, 2010. Contact Name: Laurie Bentley, Vice President at 575-534-9005 or by email at scmainstreetasst@gilanet.com. The national award-winning Silver City MainStreet Project is celebrating 25 years of service to Silver City in May 2010. It is recognized as one of the most successful programs in New Mexico. The Mission Statement is "To encourage a vibrant, historic downtown which is recognized as the heart of our diverse community."
http://www.silvercitymainstreet.com/JobListing/tabid/498/Default.aspx

Thanks to Carrie Gregory, Gerald Kelso and Doug Kupel for contributions for today's newsletter.

Homolovi Ruins Closure Looms, New Perspectives on the Hohokam, Chaco Chocolate

Southwest Archaeology Today – A Service of the Center for Desert Archaeology

- Homolovi Ruins on List of Recommended Closures: Arizona officials are recommending closures of five state parks immediately and three more in coming months because of midyear budget cuts made to eliminate a revenue shortfall. The parks recommended for closure include the Homolovi Ruins State Park in Winslow.
http://www.gallupindependent.com/2009/02February/020409hopiruins.html

- Cacao at Chaco: For years Patricia Crown puzzled over the cylindrical clay jars found in the ruins at Chaco Canyon, the great complex of multistory masonry dwellings set amid the arid mesas of northwestern New Mexico. They were utterly unlike other pots and pitchers she had seen.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/04/us/04cocoa.html?_r=1&emc=eta1
http://sciencenow.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/2009/202/3

- Salazar Cancels Drilling Leases: Interior Secretary Ken Salazar on Wednesday canceled leases to drill for gas and oil on 77 parcels of public land in Utah. The leases, which cover more than 100,000 acres, including lands near Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, were auctioned in the last weeks of the Bush administration. They were among 11th-hour actions taken by the Bush Interior Department that have been criticized by environmental groups and are being reviewed by Obama officials.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/05/us/05leases.html?scp=6&sq=salazar&st=cse

- Historic Home in Downtown Tucson to Close: The Sosa-Carrillo-Frémont House, one of Tucson's oldest structures, will be shuttered by the Arizona Historical Society because of state budget cuts. The territorial-era home that sits next to the Tucson Convention Center Music Hall on South Granada Avenue will be closed within "the next couple of weeks," said Deborah Shelton, director for the society's Southern Arizona district.
http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/278360

- Exhibit Opening, “Pieces of the Puzzle: New Perspectives on the Hohokam.” A collaboration between the Center for Desert Archaeology and Pueblo Grande Museum, this dynamic exhibition explores the Center’s long-term research on the Hohokam and population decline in late prehistory. The exhibition runs from February 13 through October 4, 2009, at Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park. For more information on location and hours, follow the link below.
http://phoenix.gov/PARKS/pueblo.html

- Exhibit Opening, “Circles of Life: Katsina Imagery in Hopi Basketry.” February 7–July 3, 2009 at the Arizona State Museum. The importance and impact of the katsina [kachina] religion is pervasive in Hopi culture. Many people are familiar with carved representations of katsinas, but images of the beneficent supernatural messengers also appear on Hopi pottery, paintings, and basketry. Historic pieces and the work of eight contemporary weavers demonstrate the continuing vitality of this art form. Enjoy a historic overview of the Hopi basket-making traditions, techniques and types, and learn how to "read" and identify distinguishing katsina iconography.
http://www.statemuseum.arizona.edu/exhibits/index.shtml

- Disturbing Vandalism near Canyon of the Ancients: The Bureau of Land Management is looking for whoever is responsible for destroying signs and dumping hundreds of pounds of rotting carcasses on national land near the Canyon of the Ancients. The BLM says in mid January, officers found 700 pounds of processed body parts of elk and cattle were dumped near the mouth of Rock Creek Canyon in Montezuma County.
http://www.9news.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=109037&catid=346

- 2008 NAGPRA Developments: 2008 may be viewed as one of the most momentous years for the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act since the federal law was passed in 1990. The first big fireworks occurred in April when Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff announced that NAGPRA was one of several federal laws that would be waived to speed construction of a border fence between the U.S. and Mexico.
http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/politics/39208267.html

- Internship Opportunity: The Robert L. Akerley Anthropology Collections and Archaeological Research Intern at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science will participate in all aspects of anthropological collections management activities related to managing a world-class and extensive material culture collection. The intern may also participate in archaeological fieldwork and laboratory work. For more information, refer to the following link.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/1nxx - Denver Museum of Nature & Science

- Lecture Opportunity, "Environmental and Biotic Consequences of Major Extraterrestrial Impact over North America 12,900 Years Ago.” On February 12, 2009, Dr. James P. Kennett will speak at a meeting of the Pacific Coast Archaeological Society. The presentation, which is free and open to the public, will take place at 7:30 pm at the Irvine Ranch Water District, 15600 Sand Canyon Ave., Irvine, CA. For information, follow the link below.
http://www.pcas.org

- Lecture Opportunity, “Historic Landscape Preservation through Geographic Information System.” Paul Dolinsky, chief of the National Park Service's Historic American Landscape Survey (HALS) and John Knoerl, chief of NPS Cultural Resources GIS, will speak on Monday, February 9, as part of the University of Arizona College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture’s Spring 2009 Lecture Series. The lecture will begin at 5pm at AME Room 202. This lecture is sponsored in part by the Preservation Studies program and the National Park Service's Desert Southwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit. More information is available at the first link. A map is accessible at the second link.
http://www.cdarc.org./sat/crgis_lecture.pdf
http://iiewww.ccit.arizona.edu//uamap/staticLarge/119.html

Thanks to Gerald Kelso for his contribution to today’s newsletter.

NSF's Answer to Indiana Jones, Tony Horwitz to Speak in Tucson

- From Reel to Real - National Science Foundation Responds to Indian Jones with a Detailed Website: As audiences around the world eagerly await the opening of the fourth installment in the Indiana Jones film saga on May 22, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has launched a special report on its Web site that illustrates where the real world of archaeology diverges from the "reel" world, as well as where they infrequently intersect.. NSF-supported archeologists do discover "lost cities." They try to figure out what happened to "vanished civilizations" and whether what caused their collapse may have relevance to contemporary problems. They seek rare and precious artifacts that tell important stories about the past, even if those artifacts are minute snails and the scrapings of ancient teeth and not golden idols. They "deal with Native peoples," though with respect, as partners in the process of learning about the past, rather than with weapons. And certainly, as is jokingly noted in the latest Indian Jones adventure, teaching is an important part of what they do.
http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/archaeology/index.jsp.

- (Related Story) Center for Desert Archaeology's Research Highlighted by National Science Foundation: While the problems Jones faces may not be inconsequential, the structure of good storytelling tends to point the hero toward the light at the end of the tunnel. And even if the tunnel is filled with Nazis and other villains who need to be overcome, the goal, usually a single relic or artifact, almost always is in sight, which is a big help to the audience that has to follow the tale. For real-life archaeologist Jeffery Clark, one of his biggest professional challenges was approached from the opposite direction. To Clark, an NSF-funded researcher at the Center for Desert Archaeology in Tucson, Ariz., the "what" was obvious: sometime between 1300 and 1450—long before Europeans and accompanying diseases arrived—at least 50,000 people "disappeared" from the desert Southwest of the United States.
http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/archaeology/sw_disappearance.jsp

- A Dissuasion of Coronado and Colonial History Offered In Tucson: The Center for Desert Archaeology is pleased to invite you to a special evening with historian Richard Flint and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Tony Horwitz. Richard and Tony will discuss and sign their new books on European exploration of North America at the Tucson Botanical Gardens on Saturday, May 31st, 2008.
http://www.cdarc.org/pages/articles.php?req=read&article_id=644

- Historic Preservationists Honored In Nevada: Supporters of the Springs Preserve in Las Vegas and the old St. Charles Hotel in Carson City were among those honored for their contributions to the state's historic preservation efforts. State officials presented awards to groups and individuals at weekend ceremonies in Overton and Virginia City. "We are all grateful for what they have done to maintain our quality of life through preservation of Nevada's heritage," said Ron James, the state's historic preservation officer.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/87zm - Las Vegas Sun

- Slate of Indiana Jones Related Stories Continues:

-- He's no Harrison Ford, but 'Utah Jones' holds his own in archaeology:
http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_9335309?source=rss

-- Archaeology professors and students get inspiration and a few chuckles from the "Indiana Jones" movies:
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/19138844.html

-- Can you dig it? - Professor: Glamor of screen role overstated:
http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/Detail.php?Cat=LOCALNEWS&ID=63090

-- Just because she is an archeologist does not mean she carries a whip and fights Nazis like Indiana Jones:
http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/peopleandplaces/local_story_142181255.html

-- Modern day Indiana Joneses dig in:
http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_9315208?source=rss

-- Indiana Jones and the Real-Life Archaeologist:
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=193760&src=109

NY Times Covers Puebloan Diaspora, Employment Opportunity at the Center for Desert Archaeology

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

- Ancient Puebloan Migrations -What Really Happened? Perched on a lonesome bluff above the dusty San Pedro River, about 30 miles east of Tucson, the ancient stone ruin archaeologists call the Davis Ranch Site doesn’t seem to fit in. Staring back from the opposite bank, the tumbled walls of Reeve Ruin are just as surprising. Some 700 years ago, as part of a vast migration, a people called the Anasazi, driven by God knows what, wandered from the north to form settlements like these, stamping the land with their own unique style.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/08/science/08anasazi.html?8dpc

- Employment Opportunity at the Center for Desert Archaeology: The Center for Desert Archaeology seeks qualified applicants for a Preservation Outreach Coordinator. This position coordinates and implements the Center’s cultural heritage preservation activities. The Preservation Outreach Coordinator is a key member of the Center’s preservation team and will be responsible for expanding the scope of the Center’s preservation field services in the Southwest. We are seeking an applicant who is interested in working to preserve the cultural heritage--archaeological sites, historic buildings, and cultural landscapes--of the Greater Southwest.
http://www.cdarc.org/sat/cdarc_preservation_announcement.pdf

- Innovative Project Creates DVD to Interpret Aztec Ruins National Monument: Touring Aztec Ruins can inspire students to capture the heart and soul of the Pueblo people. "Students' writing and artwork brings the hidden stories and the spirits of the Pueblos to life," said Terry Nichols, park ranger at Aztec Ruins National Monument. Nichols said fourth-graders and eighth-graders who visited last spring were filmed for an educational DVD, "Connections: Teaching, Writing and Art at Aztec Ruins," that will be released today. The students listened to the stories of Bennie and Edna Romero, descendants of the Santa Clara and Taos Pueblos. The students then developed their own stories and artwork.
http://www.daily-times.com/ci_8835157?source=most_emailed

- Gesture Of Kinship” Exhibit Opens At Anasazi Heritage Center: The Anasazi Heritage Center will unveil a new exhibit called A Gesture of Kinship on April 15th in museum’s Special Exhibit gallery. It weaves the thoughts and experiences of 20 young Navajos as they grew from children to adults in recent decades. Their maturation is captured in photographs and their own voices. The exhibit continues through October 31.
http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/ahc.html

- Historic Preservation is as "Green" Strategy: Historic preservation has always been the greenest of the building arts because it necessarily involves the conservation of energy and natural resources. Now it’s time to make sure everyone knows it. It’s all about sustainability. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), transportation accounts for just 27 percent of America’s greenhouse gas emissions, while 48 percent – almost twice as much – is produced by the construction and operation of buildings. Nearly half the greenhouse gases Americans send into the atmosphere is from our buildings. More than 10 percent of the entire world’s greenhouse gas emissions is from American buildings. Historic preservation must be a key component of any effort to promote sustainable development. The challenge is to help people understand that preservation is environmentally, as well as economically, sustainable.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/9d8l - New American Media

- Aztec Arithmetic System Decoded: A study by U.S. and Mexican researchers has found evidence of an ancient method of arithmetic in Aztec property records. Barbara Williams of the University of Wisconsin-Rock County and Maria del Carmen Jorge y Jorge of the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico studied more than 2,000 drawings dating back to 1540 that were used to document agricultural properties by the Acolhua people who lived in the city-state of Tepetlaoztoc, the University of Wisconsin said Thursday in a release.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/koci - UPI International

- Field School Announcement: Ft Lewis College Summer 2008 field Season. Explore Southwestern Pueblo Architecture While Earning College Credit. Excavations at the Pigg Site (5MT4802) June 23 through August 1, 2008. Application Deadline May 1, 2008. Contact Charles Riggs, Ph.D, Fort Lewis College, 1000 Rim Drive, Durango, CO 81301-3999. voice: (970) 247-7409, fax: (970) 382-6952. email: riggs_c@fortlewis.edu

- Internship Opportunity with the Hopi Tribe: Two paid, summer internships are being offered through the Hopi Tribe, to assist in the Homolovi Park Project. One of the goals of the partnership between Arizona State Parks and the Hopi Tribe is to provide learning and training opportunities at the park. Two paid, full-time, ten (10) week internships at the park are offered. One funded by a generous grant received from the Institute of Museums and Library Services, Native Americans and Native Hawaiians Museum Services grant and the other by the Hopi Tribe. The internship is designed for undergraduate college students, but applications from graduate students will be considered. The Hopi Tribe, to the greatest extent feasible, will give preference to Hopis, however if unable to find a qualified candidate, this internship will be awarded to a qualified non-Hopi. This internship is not associated with any college or university therefore it does not award college credit, but the program is willing to work with the candidate’s school to process credit through their university or college. The deadline is April 30, 2008. Thanks!! Contact: Susan Secakuku, PO Box 548. Second Mesa, AZ 86043
secakuku@hopitelecom.net 928.737.2510
http://www.cdarc.org/sat/Hopi_Internship.doc

-Worst Archaeological Headline Ever:
http://www.cdarc.org/page/e3pv - Seattle Times