Huhugam Ki Musuem Shares Dual Perspectives on Hohokam and Huhugam

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

Huhugam Ki Museum Shares Dual Perspectives on Hohokam and Huhugam
The museum serves a dual function, according to Pacer Reina, an assistant there. Not only is it a source of information about the Hohokam to the world at large, it's an important cultural resource for the nearly 9,000 members of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, on the east side of the Valley. The Pima believe they are descended from the Huhugam, which is becoming the preferred transliteration (although Hohokam is still widely used). The museum helps the community's children understand their heritage, Reina said.
http://tinyurl.com/337apvj - Arizona Republic

Acting Superintendent Opens Mesa Verde to Back-Country Tours
“The resources are fabulous,” he says, “and the staff is very good, which makes my job easier. Mesa Verde National Park is in a great part of the country.” Nelligan is excited about the new Visitor and Research Center currently under construction which will house the park’s collection of over 4,000,000 artifacts in a state of the art facility. Under his leadership, three new backcountry tours are open to Mug House, Spring House and Wetherill Mesa, and in conjunction with the Mesa Verde Foundation, prominent artists recently had a day to paint plein aire style at Long House.
http://www.gjsentinel.com/opinion/articles/acting_superintendent_opens_up

12th Annual National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers Training Meeting Scheduled
On Monday, August 9, 2010, NATHPO is offering a pre-conference, NAGPRA-related training session this year, "Using 43 CFR 10.11 to Return 'Culturally Unidentifiable' Native American Human Remains and Associated Funerary Objects." This one-day training will focus on the new regulatory section finalized on May 14, 2010, that requires the return of "culturally unidentifiable" Native American remains to Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations. This training session is a follow-up to last year's workshop, "Using the Culturally Unidentifiable Native American Inventories Database." This important database includes listings and information on over 124,000 individual Native Americans and almost one million associated funerary objects. If you are attending the entire annual meeting, this one-day training is included in your registration fee. If you only want to attend the one-day training, there will be a $100 registration fee.
http://www.nathpo.org/PDF/NATHPO2010workshop.pdf

Mesa Arizona Has Tremendous Potential for Historic Preservation
Former Mesa Mayor Don Strauch smiles when he drives past his childhood home, the Fuller-Strauch house, about once a month. For Strauch, 84, viewing the Mission Revival house built in 1906 in Mesa's West Second Street Historic District is a way to stay in touch with his roots in the Valley's largely rootless society. It brings back memories of his long-deceased family members and reminds him of nights he spent as a boy on the sleeping porch in a bed that hung from chains.
http://tinyurl.com/2arzufs - Arizona Republic

Echos of the Old West at Nevada's Hamilton Ghost Town
Time was when Hamilton's streets bustled. The largest of several camps spawned by rich horn silver discoveries on Treasure Hill in 1867, Hamilton served a district population of about 30,000 miners and the usual hopefuls and riffraff lured by boom-towns. Today, Hamilton's scatter of ruins rising spectrally from the sagebrush and pinyons lure only those seeking glimpses of the Old West.
http://tinyurl.com/24rdgpb - Las Vegas Journal

Lecture Opportunity (Durango)
Crow Canyon research archaeologist Susan Ryan will give a talk at 7 p.m. July 23 at the center, 23390 Road K in Cortez. Ryan will discuss the ancestral Puebloan communities in the central Mesa Verde region that remained occupied despite severe drought in 12th century.
http://www.crowcanyon.org

Lecture Opportunity (Tucson)
The Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society Presents Linda Mayro and Roger Anyon speaking on "Preserving the Past for the Benefit of Future Generations: Accomplishments of the Pima County Historic Preservation Bond" Tonight, Monday, July 19 at 7:30 pm in the DuVal Auditorium at the University Medical Center, 1501 N Campbell Ave.
http://tinyurl.com/2723djk - Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society

Employment Opportunity
Currently this is just a heads up, but we will be posting an announcement on USA JOBS shortly for a GS9/11 archaeologist in the Moab Field Office. The applicant must have 4 months experience in the region. Contact Leigh Grench, Archaeologist with the BLM - Moab Field Office at 435-259-2114 for more information.

Thanks to Gerald Kelso for contributing to today's newsletter.

Congresswoman Wants to Expand Nation's Oldest Archaeological Preserve

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

Congresswoman Wants to Expand Nations Oldest Archaeological Preserve

On Interstate 10 between Tucson and Phoenix is one of America's most enduring ancient mysteries--a giant adobe structure called Casa Grande. It was erected by the Hohokam, a people who built towns where Tucson and Phoenix are today and who turned the desert green with an extensive system of irrigation. Ironically, the modern city of Phoenix was founded by American settlers who cleared out the prehistoric Hohokam canals and reused them for their own farms.
http://tinyurl.com/2ee49qr - Gadling.Com
http://tinyurl.com/2e52el6 - Center for Desert Archaeology


Arizona Republic Declares "Congress Should Expand Monument"

The Hohokam civilization rose in central Arizona, flourished for a millennium and disappeared before Columbus discovered America. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick introduced a bill last week to preserve the traces of this prehistoric desert culture by expanding the boundaries of Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. Congress should move quickly to approve it.
http://tinyurl.com/256mljl - Arizona Republic
CRM Firm Embroiled in Texas Ranger Burial Controversy Files for Bankruptcy
An archaeology company tangled in civil suits with the city of Waco over its work on the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum has filed for bankruptcy. American Archaeology Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Austin on Thursday afternoon, a court clerk said.
http://www.wacotrib.com/news/92480179.html


Learn About the Other Codetalkers at the Last Archaeology Cafe of the Season (Tucson)

The last Archaeology Cafe until September 2010 will take place this Tuesday, May 4, 6:15 p.m., at Casa Vicente in Tucson. Our presenter will be Dr. Suzanne Griset, Principal Investigator, Project Manager, and Oral Historian with SWCA Environmental Consultants in Tucson. Suzanne will discuss "The Other Codetalkers: Civilian Native American War Efforts at Navajo Ordnance Depot."
http://www.cdarc.org/2010/02/22/archaeology-cafe-recent-research-at-camp-navajo/

Civilian Conservation Corps History to be Featured in New Exhibit at the Arizona History Museum

A 1400 square foot multimedia exhibit tracing the history of the Civilian Conservation Corps and its Arizona projects will soon be on view at the Arizona Historical Society's Arizona History Museum in Tucson. It Saved my Life: Civilian Conservation Corps at the Grand Canyon, 1933-1942 was created by the National Park Service in 2008 to celebrate the CCC's 75th anniversary. The loaned exhibit, with the addition of period photographs and local artifacts from AHS and others, will open on Friday, May 14 with a special evening event from 5 until 7 p.m., when visitors may tour the displays, enjoy light refreshments and hear stories directly from CCC enrollees themselves.
http://willcoxrangenews.com/articles/2010/04/29/news/news18.txt


Giant Sequoias Yield Longest Fire History from Tree Rings

A 3,000-year record from 52 of the world's oldest trees shows that California's western Sierra Nevada was droughty and often fiery from 800 to 1300, according to new research. It's the longest tree-ring fire history in the world, and it's from this amazing place with these amazing trees." said lead author Thomas W. Swetnam of the University of Arizona in Tucson. "This is an epic collection of tree rings
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100318093300.htm


Interior Secretary Salazar Promotes National Parks and Stimulus Efforts at Mesa Verde

U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar was at Mesa Verde National Park on Sunday to highlight nearly $50 million in improvements being made at the park, including a $23 million visitor and research center. The facility, which will be located just south of the park entrance on U.S. Highway 160, will replace the Far View Visitor Center, situated deep in the park and constructed 50 years ago as a temporary field lab. Construction on the new center, which is expected to meet the highest green-building standards, is scheduled to begin in the fall.
http://www.durangoherald.com/sections/News/2010/04/26/Investments_significant/


Hopi Hotel and Conference Center Opens at Moenkopi

A Hopi village has opened a hotel and conference center billed as the western gateway to the reservation. The Moenkopi Legacy Inn & Suites had its official dedication this week. The hotel features 100 guest rooms, a salt water swimming pool and whirlpool, an outdoor performance plaza and a kiva garden.
http://www.fox11az.com/news/local/92491004.html

Tucson's Mission Gardens Project Seeks Donations and Volunteers

May is National Preservation Month, and according to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the focus this year is: "Old is the new green." Supporters of the Mission Gardens on South Grande Avenue believe the proposed project is a perfect example of that theme.
http://www.tucsonweekly.com/tucson/putting-down-roots/Content?oid=1945862


Utah Prehistory Week

May 1st kicks off a week long celebration of Utah’s ancient past and archaeology. Utah Prehistory Week, May 1-8, 2010, is a statewide event in which local communities celebrate ancient heritage. Events are scheduled throughout the state and range from tours of archaeological sites, lectures, kids activities, and museum exhibit openings.
http://tinyurl.com/27qarh7 - Examiner.Com


Colorado Celebrates its Heritage

This May, cities and towns across the state will, once again, host events honoring Colorado's past during Archaeology and Historic Preservation Month. This year's theme is “Pathways to Colorado's Heritage,” and the entire month will feature plenty of free or modestly priced tours, exhibits, lectures, displays and events.
http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20100430/AE/100429764/-1/rss


Take a Historic Walk in Colorado with the Santa Fe Trail Caravan

Take a three-mile hike down the Santa Fe Trail behind an ox-driven Conestoga wagon. Interpreters from Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site will demonstrate trail life in the 1840s. The caravan will leave Sierra Vista Overlook on Highway 350 at 10 a.m. on May 8 and travel to the Timpas Picnic Area. For more information, please contact Rick Wallner at 719-383-5024 or rick_wallner@nps.gov.


Anasazi Heritage Center Celebrates Archaeology Month With Lecture And Free Admission

Archaeologist Ben Bellorado will speak at the Anasazi Heritage Center on Sunday, May 9, at 1 p.m. in connection with Colorado Archaeology and Historic Preservation Month. Admission to the museum will be free throughout the day.
http://www.cdarc.org/sat/bellorado.doc - MS Word Document


Blanding Artifact Looting Defendants to Face Trial in October

Five defendants netted in a government crackdown on artifacts trafficking will take their case to trial before a federal judge in October. Co-defendants Joseph M. Smith, Meredith Smith, Tad Kreth, Reece Laws and Brandon Laws will take their case to trial before U.S. District Judge Ted Stewart on Oct. 25. The trial is slated to run for two weeks.
http://tinyurl.com/2dhbwps - Deseret News

Thanks to Carrie Gregory and Adrianne Rankin for contributions to today's newsletter.

News About Chimney Rock Excavations, Pima County Moves to Protect Hohokam Village Site.

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

- Excavations at Chimney Rock: Take a 1,000-year-old, ancient Puebloan site that links to a major astronomical “capital” 100 miles away, combine it with archaeology connections to the University of Colorado spanning 40 years, and you end up with a masterpiece of excavation and mystery just a half-hour from Pagosa Springs. The Chimney Rock Archaeology Area is best known locally as the towering pillars of stone that rise above the valley floor near the intersection of U.S. 160 and Colo. 151. Visible from areas in Pagosa Springs, the formations are just a small part of the site that has attracted attention from archaeologists both regionally and worldwide. In fact, a film crew from the National Geographic Society was at the site in late June to document the current project, which could provide conclusive evidence that Chimney Rock is not a stand-alone site, but part of a much larger group of ancient pueblos whose function is related to astronomical events.
http://www.pagosasun.com/archives/2009/07july/070209/feature.html

- Colorado Representative John Salazar Visits Chimney Rock Project: Salazar praised the efforts of federal, state and private groups, including University of Colorado at Boulder faculty and student archaeologists, who are working together to investigate and restore the Chimney Rock Archaeological Area near Pagosa Springs, Colo. The site is considered one of the most spectacular Ancestral Pueblo ruins in all of the Southwest. Salazar toured Chimney Rock, believed to be an important religious and ceremonial center for the Pueblo people 1,000 years ago, on June 30. The 4,100-acre Chimney Rock Archaeological Area features two spectacular rock pinnacles, a Pueblo Great House, a ceremonial Great Kiva and a variety of other stone structures. The site is located at an altitude of 7,800 feet, high above the valley floor, and appears to have been sacred to the Pueblo elite who likely watched the moon periodically rise between the rock pinnacles.
http://www.colorado.edu/news/r/662988bb4dc6b81df322f62a1e243433.html

- John Salazar's Bill to Provide Mesa Verde with 22 Million Dollars for New Visitor's Center Passes in US House: The proposed visitor and curatorial center at Mesa Verde National Park stands to receive $22 million under a funding bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. The money was requested by U.S. Rep. John Salazar, who announced the funding Wednesday at Mesa Verde. The bill contains $11.6 million for the curatorial center and $10.5 million for the visitors center. Both centers will be housed in one building near the park's entrance.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/fqb7 - Durango Herald

- Pima County Hopes to Preserve Ancient Hohokam Village: The county hopes to capitalize on the low land values hitting commercial investors now as it tries to secure state funds to buy 67 acres on the Southwest side for preservation. The county wants a state grant to purchase the archeologically-rich Valencia Site, near West Valencia Road and Interstate 19, most of which it will preserve. A small portion will be used for public education. The site includes about 1,800 Hohokam pithouses and represents about 500 years of Hohokam occupation.
http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/299626

- Autry National Center Hits Roadblock in Planned Takeover of Southwest Museum: A panel of five City Council members — faced with a polite crowd of more than 200 people divided between those with “Yes!” decals urging approval of the Autry’s plans and others with multicolored paper “S.O.S.” buttons, for “Save Our Southwest” — voted unanimously to delay a decision for four weeks. It urged the Autry to provide legal assurances by then that the Southwest Museum of the American Indian in Mount Washington won't become just an afterthought to a larger, more comprehensive Griffith Park facility.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/fha9 - Los Angeles Times

- The Strange Story of Everett Ruess continues: Any doubt that remains found in the Utah wilderness were those of Everett Ruess, a legendary wanderer of the 1930s, seemed to be erased by a battery of forensic and genetic tests a few months ago. But Utah's state archaeologist, who was not involved in the discovery, is raising a series of questions about whether the remains are actually those of the poet and artist who disappeared in the Escalante canyons.
http://www.startribune.com/nation/49753927.html

Thanks to Michael D Mauer for contributions to today's newsletter.

Rio Nuevo Pitch Falls Flat, NAGPRA Cited in Fence Criticism, Abbott AAHS Lecture Monday

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

- Rio Nuevo Pitch Falls Flat: Rio Nuevo proponents need to find 16 state Senate votes to preserve an estimated $8.6 million in tax increment financing for the next fiscal year starting in July. The eight senators on the Senate Finance Committee were "underwhelmed" Wednesday as city and private sector leaders tried to convince the panel of Rio Nuevo's merits, said state Sen. Jim Waring, a Phoenix Republican who chairs the committee."One member said, 'Is this all there is after all these years?' " Waring said, recounting a statement by Sen. Ken Cheuvront, a Phoenix Democrat. "I would say the committee was disappointed by the presentation."
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/business/110081.php

- Border Fence Desecrated Graves: Arizona Rep. Raúl Grijalva and seven other Democratic members of the House sent a letter to President Obama on Tuesday asking that he suspend construction of border fencing. They want Obama to suspend fence construction along the U.S.-Mexico border, at least temporarily, until an evaluation of border security operations being conducted by the new administration is concluded. The letter criticizes violations of the National Historic Preservation Act and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, citing the destruction of 69 Tohono O'odham graves south of Tucson in 2007.
http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/279746

- Budget Woes Put South Dakota Archaeological Agency and Collections at Risk: South Dakota's Archaeological Research Center helps excavate, catalog and store artifacts from across the state, but Gov. Mike Rounds' budget proposal has the little-known agency on the brink of extinction. Archaeologists across South Dakota said closing the agency - it gets about $308,000 from the state - would present no savings and would jeopardize economic development while risking the care and protection of the state's archaeological resources and research.
http://www.argusleader.com/article/20090209/NEWS/902090302/1001/news

- Petroglyph Vandalism Prosecuted: Last week, two men pled guilty for defacing cultural artifacts dating back more than a century on federal land. Each face $1,100 in fines and $2,625 in restitution to repair the damages. Sergio Corona-Venzor, 41, of Montrose and Oscar Ortega, 41, of Delta carved their names and the date on an Anasazi rock art panel. The petroglyph, known as the Roc Creek Rock Art Panel, is located on BLM land south of Gateway.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/7f6u - Grand Junction Free Press

- 16th-Century Mass Burial Found in Mexico City: Archaeologists have found a mass grave in Mexico City with four dozen human skeletons laid out in neat lines that could reveal clues about the 16th century Spanish conquest that killed millions. It is likely the indigenous people buried in the grave died in battle against the invading Spanish or fell victim to diseases that wiped out large swaths of the native population in 1545 and 1576, Guilliem said.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKN1031277920090211

- Materials Science Methods Reveal Hominid Chewing Power: In an unusual intersection of materials science and anthropology, researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and The George Washington University (GWU) have applied materials-science-based mathematical models to help shed light on the dietary habits of some of mankind’s prehistoric relatives. Their work forms part of a newly published, multidisciplinary analysis of the early hominid Australopithecus africanus by anthropologists at the State University of New York at Albany and elsewhere.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-02/nios-trd021109.php
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090211111005.htm

- Lecture Opportunity, “On a Foundation of Potsherds: Building a New Model of the Phoenix Basin Hohokam.” The Arizona Archeological and Historical Society welcomes David Abbott (Arizona State University), who will speak on Monday, February 16, at 7:30 pm in the DuVal Auditorium, University Medical Center, 1501 N. Campbell Ave., Tucson. The lecture is free and open to the public.

- Lecture Opportunity, “Life as Migration: The Mesa Verde Pueblo People - Who were they, Why did they leave, Where did they go?” On Saturday, February 21, at 4:00 pm, The Beckman Center (Irvine, CA) will host a lecture and discussion with Dr. Mark Varien, Vice President of Programs at Crow Canyon Archaeological Center. This free event is co-sponsored by New World Archaeology Council and the National Academy of Sciences. Attendees are invited to explore the Mesa Verde region of Colorado and learn more about the migration episodes that were a constant factor in the formation of the Pueblo society. Varien will discuss why the final migration left the region depopulated by about A.D. 1300. For more information about the event and The Beckman Center, refer to the following link.
http://www.nasonline.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Beckman_Upcoming_Events