Southwestern Archaeology Making the News - A Service of the Center for Desert Archaeology
- New Exhibit at the Museum of Northern Arizona Focuses upon the Archaeology of the Grand Canyou: A new exhibit by Flagstaff adventure photographer Dawn Kish, Grand Archaeology: New Excavations along the Colorado River, will be featured during Archaeology Awareness Month, at the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff. The exhibit, which will run through July 13, documents recent archaeological excavation and research in Grand Canyon National Park, conducted by MNA in partnership with GCNP. The exhibit is made possible through the generous support of the Grand Canyon Association.
http://www.gatewaytosedona.com/article/id/1737/page/1
- New Findings in the Study of Ancient use of Maize: Corn has long been known as the primary food crop in prehistoric North and Central America. Now it appears it may have been an important part of the South American diet for much longer than previously thought, according to new research by University of Calgary archaeologists who are cobbling together the ancient history of plant domestication in the New World.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080324173538.htm
- Naco Looks to its Past for its Future: Naco may be the only community that can claim mammoth kill sites, historic military buildings and a golf course. Its history is what many are hoping to capitalize on for future development projects. About 30 “stakeholders,” including Naco residents, school board members, local and county government officials, college and university students and faculty, and many others met for a Camp Naco community planning meeting Saturday at Naco Elementary School.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/jkkv - Sierra Vista Daily Herald
- Restoration Plans for Hayden Flour Mill: Generations have come to know the concrete outside of the Hayden Flour Mill without appreciating the arguably more interesting milling equipment inside it or a stone arch hidden beneath it. But a redevelopment will begin in June to restore the iconic mill - and to reveal rarely seen equipment and stonework that's been out of view for most of the last century. Tempe-based Avenue Communities unveiled plans Tuesday, pledging to start work that Tempe and other developers have failed to get under way since talks began in 1990. Avenue expects it will take 14 to 15 months to restore the mill, add a glass-and-steel structure beside it and open about six restaurants, bars and boutiques.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/112190
- Preservation Work at San Xavier Mission Reveals Hidden Artwork: A local historian likes to imagine that angels carried Mission San Xavier del Bac — a beautiful white apparition itself — through the sky and plopped it in the Sonoran Desert. If so, we now know there was one extra angel to help them: a "new" one just discovered in the 211-year-old church. Restorationists Tim Lewis and Matilde Rubio uncovered the painted angel this month on the north wall of the mission's tall, narrow baptistry, which is under the west tower.
http://www.azstarnet.com/dailystar/231984
- National Register Workshop to be Held before Arizona History Conference: April 24, 8:30AM to 4:00PM, San Marcos Resort & Conference Center, One San Marcos Place, Chandler, AZ 85225. Sponsored by Arizona Historical Research and Ryden Architects, this workshop will focus on how to nominate a property to the National Register of Historic Places. Using a case study, professionals from the public and private sectors will disseminate information on: researching a historic property and creating a context; describing architectural styles and features; selecting criteria for eligibility, identifying significance, and evaluating integrity; the local, regional, and national designation process, working with consultants, and preservation resources. Workshop leaders: Vince Murray, historian, Arizona Historical Research; Don Ryden, architect, Ryden Architects; and Kathryn Leonard, National Register coordinator, Arizona State Historic Preservation Office. Registration fee: $50.00 (meal not included). Registration deadline: April 14. Make checks payable and mail to: Arizona Historical Research, 5025 N. Central Ave., Suite 575, Phoenix, AZ 85012. For information contact: Vince Murray, (480) 829-0267; or vince@azhistory.net.
http://www.arizonahistory.org
- University of Arizona Students Explore Forensic Archaeology at Simulated Crime Scene: Students in the Introduction to Forensic Anthropology course got a "hands on" lesson in crime scene investigation yesterday as they carefully dug up the real bones of a hand and arm outside the Emil W. Haury Anthropology building. Detective Mario Leon of the University of Arizona Police Department presented the scenario as he stood behind the police tape that blocked off the mock crime scene where a bone is found by a student walking his dog on campus. Police determine that the bone is human and call the ANTH 495D/595D class to help put the pieces together, one bone at a time.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/9atj - Arizona Daily Wildcat
- Speaking Volumes, A series of discussions in honor of the ASM Library’s 50th Anniversary: Join us for coffee and conversation 3:30-5:30 pm as UA graduate students present and discuss their current research. Free and open to the public. Arizona State Musuem, Thursday, April 10, 2008
-Research Question on Tribal "Kitchen" Gardens: We are currently doing research on community gardening in Indian Country. We are looking for specific statistics dealing with the cost savings benefit of small scale tribal gardens and agriculture as a food source for tribal members. Also we are looking for numbers supporting the benefits of having gardening projects in tribal communities. Do you know of any research to this effect, or where I might be able to find such numbers? Thank you for any information you might be able to provide. Melissa E. Christy AmeriCorps VISTA Leader for the National Society for American Indian Elderly. 200 E. Fillmore St #151Phoenix, AZ 85004. 602-424-0542 ext. 3. melissa.christy@nsaie.org
http://www.nsaie.org
- 3.1 Million Dollars Awarded for Historic Preservation in Nevada: Las Vegas' old federal building-post office and Virginia City's old Fourth Ward School are among beneficiaries of $3.1 million in grants for historic preservation projects awarded by a state commission. The $350,000 grant for the Las Vegas project was the largest awarded this year by the Nevada Commission for Cultural Affairs, which announced the latest round of grants Friday.
http://www.ktvn.com/Global/story.asp?S=8056537
- Call for Papers, Chacmool 2008: It's Good to be King: The Archaeology of Power and Authority. University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. November 7th to 11th 2008. Power and authority provide the framework for societies the world over, and have done so, arguably from the dawn of social interaction between the human species. This year's topic is an attempt to analyze and provide an examination of power, authority and respect, in regards to the various ways that it is incorporated within the archaeological record. Power is manifested via a multitude of sociocultural structures, and is seen across societies in the form of monumental architecture, religious institutions, rulers, and armies. It is also present on a smaller scale, within familial relationships, guilds, and neighborhoods. Cultural symbols reinforce this ever present and pervasive factor, such as ear spools within Mesoamerica, ranks within a military unit, or styles and manners of dress. Based solely on these few examples alone, a plethora of archaeological research can be conducted, and these few examples are by no means the extent of possible areas for potential research and presentation. Deadline extended until April 7, 2008.
http://www.arky.ucalgary.ca/chacmool2008/
- Nominations for the 2008 Arizona Governor's Awards in Public Archaeology Due April 14, 2008: This is a reminder that your nominations for these awards are due on April 14, 2008. Please submit your nominations soon! Remember, you can always re-submit nominations that you submitted in previous years; just contact Ann Howard at the SHPO office ((602) 542-7138) and let her know that is your wish and we will submit your previous nomination. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Ann. The Awards will be presented at a luncheon ceremony on Friday, June 13th, at the annual Historic Preservation Conference to be held in Nogales, Arizona. We hope to see you and your nominee(s) there! Thank you.
Http://www.cdarc.org/sat/08_gaac_award.doc - MS Word Nomination Form
- April Events at Gila Cliff Dwellings: Here is information about special events at the Gila Cliff Dwellings in April. Quick update: the road to the cliff dwellings remains open at this time with temporary repairs to the West Fork Bridge. Hours for the Gila Visitor Center are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and hours for the cliff dwellings trail are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Daily guided tours of the cliff dwellings will continue to be offered at noon through the end of April. In May we switch to two guided tours each day. TJ Tours Saturdays through April 26 and daily during National Park Week April 19-27 at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Space is limited and reservations are required for special tours of an unexcavated surface pueblo. Tours start at the Gila Visitor Center. Call 575-536-9461 or stop in at the visitor center for reservations.
- Obituary, Chester Shaw Passes: On the afternoon of March 27, 2008 Chester Shaw passed away after a two year battle with cancer (first lung, then a brain tumor). He was under Hospice care but they thought they he was stable. His passing was fast and peaceful. He was employed by Harris Environmental Group, Inc of Tucson, AZ as a PI in the archaeology division. Funeral arraignments are pending.
- Employment Opportunity: URS Corporation is looking for a Senior Archaeologist Minimum Requirements: Master's in Archaeology/Anthropology or related field 8 + years experience in positions with responsibility for successfully planning and completing cultural resource studies Principal investigator for Arizona Antiquities Act permit, Word, and Excel For a detailed job description and to submit your resume, please visit our website at www.urscorp.jobs and reference requisition URS27385.
Employment Opportunity: Archaeologist / NEPA document reviewer and editor Transcon Environmental, a growing environmental consulting firm, is looking for one full time archaeologist primarily to act as a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document reviewer / editor for its main office in Mesa, Arizona. Besides NEPA document review and editing other duties may include archaeological field work. Applicants should be physically fit for walking 5-10 miles per day in rugged terrain where temperatures often reach above 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, applicants should be able to lift loads weighing up to 30 pounds. Employees may be asked to work more than 40 hours per week and 10 or more hours per day and to work up to 10 consecutive days away from home. If required, travel will be provided for from the Mesa, Arizona office to the project site. Applicant must have their own transportation to the Mesa office location and have a clean driving record in order to drive the company vehicles in the field if needed. Housing is only provided for out of town stay and not provided for between projects or for work near the Phoenix Metro area. Transcon does not pay per diem, but does reimburse receipts for food while traveling. Applicant must posses a B.A. in Anthropology, Archaeology, or a closely related field. An understanding of NEPA, the National Historic Preservation Act, and other relevant historic and cultural resource laws is required. This position is open until filled. Please submit a cover letter, resume (with at least three references), and a short writing sample of a NEPA compliance document. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. Contacts: Heather Duncan, Archaeologist Transcon Environmental 3740 E. Southern Avenue, Suite 218 Mesa, Arizona 85206 Phone: 480-807-0095 Fax: 480-807-0068.
Thanks to Sharon Urban, Vince Murray, Brian Kenny and Gerald Kelso for contributions to today's Newsletter.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
San Pedro Valley Spared, Rick Renzi's Legal Issues Impacts Petified Forest Land Exchange
Southwestern Archaeology Making the News - A Service of the Center for Desert Archaeology
- San Pedro Valley Spared Development of Interstate Bypass: Arizona transportation officials will continue planning for a possible Interstate 10 bypass around Tucson and Phoenix but have dropped proposed routes through the environmentally sensitive San Pedro River valley. The state Transportation Board unanimously approved a motion dropping the two potential San Pedro River valley routes east of Tucson during a meeting here today.
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/230801.php
- Arizona Representative Rick Renzi's Legal Problems Threaten Petrified Forest Land Exchange: When federal grand jurors handed up a 35-count indictment of Rick Renzi last month, they accused the Arizona congressman of cheating to win an election and abusing his powers for profit. But those details only describe the charges, not the environmental and economic fallout from the scandal. Renzi's political upheaval stymied a pair of huge federal land exchanges: One deal would have added 15,000 acres of dinosaur bones and archaeological ruins to Petrified Forest National Park, an expansion already approved by Congress.
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0318renzi0318.html
- McDowell Sonoran Conservancy to Donate 1.6 Million Dollar Land Parcel for Scottsdale Preserve: The McDowell Sonoran Conservancy has accepted the donation of a conservation easement by a long-time MSC donor and supporter of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and will transfer the donation to Scottsdale Mayor Mary Manross at a ceremony in March. This donation, valued at $1.6 million, demonstrates both the willingness of the community to support MSC and the attractiveness land donations offer landowners because of their potential tax benefits.
http://mcdowellsonoran.org/documents/MSCFeb_08.pdf
- Lecture on Apache Sunrise Dance Tradition to be Offered at Besh-Be-Gowah Archaeological Park (Globe, Az). Saturday, March 29. For the past decade Prof. Carol Markstrom of West Virginia University has been conducting field research on the Sunrise Dance as well as coming-of-age rites of Navajos and Ojibwas; the results of which serve as the basis of her new book "Empowerment of North American Indian Girls." Saturday, March 29, she will give a 3 p.m. lecture about her research at the Besh-Ba-Gowah Archaeological Park in Globe as part of the Archaeology Awareness Month celebration. The author will be available to sign copies of her book following the lecture.
http://www.silverbelt.com/articles/2008/03/13/apache_moccasin/apache04.txt
- National Trust for Historic Preservation Offering Intensive Course in Preservation Leadership: Preservation Leadership Training (PLT) is an intensive one-week experience tailored to respond to the needs of state and local preservation organizations and agencies. It emphasizes providing a participatory experience in leadership and organizational development techniques and the most up-to-date and effective information and training in current preservation practices, issues and action strategies. The next Preservation Leadership Training will be held June 21-28, 2008, in Portland, Maine. Applications are due March 31, 2008.
http://www.preservationnation.org/resources/training/plt/
- Saving the Landscapes of the Ancient Maya, a New Feature on the Archaeology Channel: Interpreting archaeological sites requires an understanding of landscape and environment. And sometimes in saving one we also save the other, as exemplified by Saving the Cradle of Maya Civilization: Mirador Basin, Guatemala, the latest video feature on our nonprofit streaming-media Web site, The Archaeology Channel.
http://www.archaeologychannel.org
- Archaeologist Brian Fagan Discusses his book, "The Great Warming" on the Daily Show: (Video Link)
http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=164181&title=brian-fagan
- Paid Internship Opportunity: The Department of Archaeology and Landscapes at Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest is offering two funded research positions for May 25 through July 25. These internships are intended for early-phase graduate students and advanced undergraduates who have previous field training and are looking for more experience conducting fieldwork and supervising field school students in a research-oriented setting.
http://www.poplarforest.org/ARCH/archwattsinternship.html
Thanks To Gerald Kelso for Contributions to Today's Newsletter.
Note: Due to the Society for American Archaeology meetings next week, the Southwestern Archaeology Today newsletter service will be on hiatus March 23-30.
- San Pedro Valley Spared Development of Interstate Bypass: Arizona transportation officials will continue planning for a possible Interstate 10 bypass around Tucson and Phoenix but have dropped proposed routes through the environmentally sensitive San Pedro River valley. The state Transportation Board unanimously approved a motion dropping the two potential San Pedro River valley routes east of Tucson during a meeting here today.
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/230801.php
- Arizona Representative Rick Renzi's Legal Problems Threaten Petrified Forest Land Exchange: When federal grand jurors handed up a 35-count indictment of Rick Renzi last month, they accused the Arizona congressman of cheating to win an election and abusing his powers for profit. But those details only describe the charges, not the environmental and economic fallout from the scandal. Renzi's political upheaval stymied a pair of huge federal land exchanges: One deal would have added 15,000 acres of dinosaur bones and archaeological ruins to Petrified Forest National Park, an expansion already approved by Congress.
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0318renzi0318.html
- McDowell Sonoran Conservancy to Donate 1.6 Million Dollar Land Parcel for Scottsdale Preserve: The McDowell Sonoran Conservancy has accepted the donation of a conservation easement by a long-time MSC donor and supporter of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and will transfer the donation to Scottsdale Mayor Mary Manross at a ceremony in March. This donation, valued at $1.6 million, demonstrates both the willingness of the community to support MSC and the attractiveness land donations offer landowners because of their potential tax benefits.
http://mcdowellsonoran.org/documents/MSCFeb_08.pdf
- Lecture on Apache Sunrise Dance Tradition to be Offered at Besh-Be-Gowah Archaeological Park (Globe, Az). Saturday, March 29. For the past decade Prof. Carol Markstrom of West Virginia University has been conducting field research on the Sunrise Dance as well as coming-of-age rites of Navajos and Ojibwas; the results of which serve as the basis of her new book "Empowerment of North American Indian Girls." Saturday, March 29, she will give a 3 p.m. lecture about her research at the Besh-Ba-Gowah Archaeological Park in Globe as part of the Archaeology Awareness Month celebration. The author will be available to sign copies of her book following the lecture.
http://www.silverbelt.com/articles/2008/03/13/apache_moccasin/apache04.txt
- National Trust for Historic Preservation Offering Intensive Course in Preservation Leadership: Preservation Leadership Training (PLT) is an intensive one-week experience tailored to respond to the needs of state and local preservation organizations and agencies. It emphasizes providing a participatory experience in leadership and organizational development techniques and the most up-to-date and effective information and training in current preservation practices, issues and action strategies. The next Preservation Leadership Training will be held June 21-28, 2008, in Portland, Maine. Applications are due March 31, 2008.
http://www.preservationnation.org/resources/training/plt/
- Saving the Landscapes of the Ancient Maya, a New Feature on the Archaeology Channel: Interpreting archaeological sites requires an understanding of landscape and environment. And sometimes in saving one we also save the other, as exemplified by Saving the Cradle of Maya Civilization: Mirador Basin, Guatemala, the latest video feature on our nonprofit streaming-media Web site, The Archaeology Channel.
http://www.archaeologychannel.org
- Archaeologist Brian Fagan Discusses his book, "The Great Warming" on the Daily Show: (Video Link)
http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=164181&title=brian-fagan
- Paid Internship Opportunity: The Department of Archaeology and Landscapes at Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest is offering two funded research positions for May 25 through July 25. These internships are intended for early-phase graduate students and advanced undergraduates who have previous field training and are looking for more experience conducting fieldwork and supervising field school students in a research-oriented setting.
http://www.poplarforest.org/ARCH/archwattsinternship.html
Thanks To Gerald Kelso for Contributions to Today's Newsletter.
Note: Due to the Society for American Archaeology meetings next week, the Southwestern Archaeology Today newsletter service will be on hiatus March 23-30.
Monday, March 17, 2008
ASU Asked to Revise Conservation Easement, Public Archaeology at Queen Creek
Southwestern Archaeology Making the News - A Service of the Center for Desert Archaeology
- Arizona State University's Plan to Preserve the Kerr Center Rejected by Scottsdale Historic Preservation Commission: The commission said this week that Arizona State University would have to do a better job on a conservation easement for the Kerr Cultural Center. After listening to artists and residents blast the reputation of ASU for historical conservation, the commissioners delayed a vote for the easement Thursday and sent it back to the negotiating table.
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0314sr-kerr0315-ON.html
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/111308
- San Tan Chapter of the Arizona Archaeological Society Shares the Archaeology of the Queen Creek Region with an Interested Public. The Queen Creek and San Tan area was once a fertile delta that brought prehistoric farmers, known as the Hohokam, to the area and kept settlers coming. Hundreds of years later came a stage stop on a route from Florence to Mesa. Now, a group of local archaeologists is forming a local chapter of the Arizona Archaeological Society to educate residents about the area's history. The group's first meeting is this month with speaker Bruce Phillips, a geomorphologist, or a specialist in soil and prehistoric canals. "We want to get people to realize what's underneath their feet," he said.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/111463
- Sonoran Artist Sentenced For Filming Native Cerimonies At Yosemite: A Sonora artist who got in trouble for filming American Indian ceremonial dances in Yosemite National Park must complete 198 hours of community service and be on unsupervised probation for one year, a federal judge ruled.
http://www.modbee.com/local/story/240997.html
- Lecture on Geoglyphs Tonight at Monthly Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society Meeting.(Tucson). John Fountain will present "Geoglyphs, The Orphans of Rock Art, 7:30 pm at the Duval Auditorium In the University Medical Center, 1501 N Campbell Rd. 7:30 pm
- Lecture on Excavations at an Ancient Pithousse Village On the San Pedro, this Thursday at Old Pueblo Archaeology (Tucson): Thursday March 20, 2008. Old Pueblo Archaeology Center's "Third Thursdays" program presents "Excavations at a Prehistoric Gateway Community in the Upper San Pedro Valley." Archaeologists Douglas Craig and Maren Hopkins of Northland Research, Inc., will discuss recent excavations by Northland at a prehistoric pithouse settlement in the San Pedro River valley of southeastern Arizona. Old Pueblo Archaeology Center is located at 5100 W. Ina Road Bldg. 8 (northwestern Tucson metro area). 7:30 to 9 p.m, Free and Open to the Public
- Arizona State University's Plan to Preserve the Kerr Center Rejected by Scottsdale Historic Preservation Commission: The commission said this week that Arizona State University would have to do a better job on a conservation easement for the Kerr Cultural Center. After listening to artists and residents blast the reputation of ASU for historical conservation, the commissioners delayed a vote for the easement Thursday and sent it back to the negotiating table.
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0314sr-kerr0315-ON.html
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/111308
- San Tan Chapter of the Arizona Archaeological Society Shares the Archaeology of the Queen Creek Region with an Interested Public. The Queen Creek and San Tan area was once a fertile delta that brought prehistoric farmers, known as the Hohokam, to the area and kept settlers coming. Hundreds of years later came a stage stop on a route from Florence to Mesa. Now, a group of local archaeologists is forming a local chapter of the Arizona Archaeological Society to educate residents about the area's history. The group's first meeting is this month with speaker Bruce Phillips, a geomorphologist, or a specialist in soil and prehistoric canals. "We want to get people to realize what's underneath their feet," he said.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/111463
- Sonoran Artist Sentenced For Filming Native Cerimonies At Yosemite: A Sonora artist who got in trouble for filming American Indian ceremonial dances in Yosemite National Park must complete 198 hours of community service and be on unsupervised probation for one year, a federal judge ruled.
http://www.modbee.com/local/story/240997.html
- Lecture on Geoglyphs Tonight at Monthly Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society Meeting.(Tucson). John Fountain will present "Geoglyphs, The Orphans of Rock Art, 7:30 pm at the Duval Auditorium In the University Medical Center, 1501 N Campbell Rd. 7:30 pm
- Lecture on Excavations at an Ancient Pithousse Village On the San Pedro, this Thursday at Old Pueblo Archaeology (Tucson): Thursday March 20, 2008. Old Pueblo Archaeology Center's "Third Thursdays" program presents "Excavations at a Prehistoric Gateway Community in the Upper San Pedro Valley." Archaeologists Douglas Craig and Maren Hopkins of Northland Research, Inc., will discuss recent excavations by Northland at a prehistoric pithouse settlement in the San Pedro River valley of southeastern Arizona. Old Pueblo Archaeology Center is located at 5100 W. Ina Road Bldg. 8 (northwestern Tucson metro area). 7:30 to 9 p.m, Free and Open to the Public
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Shrinking Lake Mead Reveals St. Thomas Settlement, Architectural Pulp Fiction
Southwestern Archaeology Making the News - A Service of the Center for Desert Archaeology
- A Shrinking Lake Mead Reveals the Remains of a Town with a Lesson for the Southwest: Water gave birth to the town, and then buried it. Now years of drought combined with the thirst of a burgeoning Las Vegas Valley have forced Lake Mead to give up all of St. Thomas’ silted remains. A historian documenting the old Mormon settlement for the National Park Service visited its ruins for the first time Feb. 27 amid a growing belief that St. Thomas may never be covered by water again.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/mar/12/lakes-ghost-town-seen-warning/
- Local Architect Decries Mass-Market "Pulp-Fiction" Architecture across the Southwest: As an architectural educator, I introduce to my students the notion that our buildings have a cultural responsibility to interpret both our place and our time. Arizona and its buildings are often the subject of my first lecture as we are so fortunate to live in a part of the world that has a particularly rich architectural history, from ancient Hopi villages such as Oraibi, (the oldest continually inhabited community in the United States), to civic buildings such as the Burton Barr Central Library, which drew the world's attention to the emergence of what has been called the Arizona School, a set of buildings that embody a commitment to both time and place.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/6eau - The Arizona Republic
- Linking Rock Art to Acoustical Analysis of Place, Archaeoacoustics: Steven Waller has an educational art exhibit/installation continuing through March 21, 2008 in Ocean Beach, CA (near San Diego). The theme is "Echoes Inspired Cave Art", and the purpose is to raise awareness of connections between sound and rock art. All proceeds go toward efforts to preserve the natural soundscapes of rock art environments. See more about Rock Art and acoustics" at:
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/9461
- Preservation Effort for Galisteo Basin: (From Bob Powers) Dear Friend of Archaeological Preservation, The Galisteo Basin Archaeological Coordination Group has recently submitted a Vision and Action Plan, and a Budget to the New Mexico Congressional delegation. The plan and budget, if funded, will finally allow implementation of the Galisteo Basin Archaeological Sites Protection Act, passed by Congress in 2004. The prospect of future oil and gas drilling in the Basin makes it ever more important to obtain funding that will allow preservation and protection of some of the most important Puebloan and Spanish Colonial sites in the Southwest. Senators Bingaman and Domenici, and Representative Udall have been supportive of the Act, but because of the many competing demands for federal dollars, they need to hear from us. So, please take a few minutes and send a letter or email voicing your support for funding of the Galisteo Basin Archaeological Sites Protection Act. Attached to this message are letters to both Senators and to Congressman Udall that you are welcome to use as is, or change to suit your taste. Senators Bingaman and Domenici, as well as Congressman Udall, also have contact pages on their websites, where you can enter your message and send it electronically.
Thank you for your help and support, Bob Powers, Galisteo Basin Archaeological Sites Coordination Committee.
Sample support letters:
http://www.cdarc.org/sat/udall-fs.doc
http://www.cdarc.org/sat/Domenici-fs.doc
http://www.cdarc.org/sat/bingaman-fs.doc
Links to legislators:
http://tomudall.house.gov
http://bingaman.senate.gov/contact/types/email-issue.cfm
http://domenici.senate.gov/contact/contactform.cfm
- A Shrinking Lake Mead Reveals the Remains of a Town with a Lesson for the Southwest: Water gave birth to the town, and then buried it. Now years of drought combined with the thirst of a burgeoning Las Vegas Valley have forced Lake Mead to give up all of St. Thomas’ silted remains. A historian documenting the old Mormon settlement for the National Park Service visited its ruins for the first time Feb. 27 amid a growing belief that St. Thomas may never be covered by water again.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/mar/12/lakes-ghost-town-seen-warning/
- Local Architect Decries Mass-Market "Pulp-Fiction" Architecture across the Southwest: As an architectural educator, I introduce to my students the notion that our buildings have a cultural responsibility to interpret both our place and our time. Arizona and its buildings are often the subject of my first lecture as we are so fortunate to live in a part of the world that has a particularly rich architectural history, from ancient Hopi villages such as Oraibi, (the oldest continually inhabited community in the United States), to civic buildings such as the Burton Barr Central Library, which drew the world's attention to the emergence of what has been called the Arizona School, a set of buildings that embody a commitment to both time and place.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/6eau - The Arizona Republic
- Linking Rock Art to Acoustical Analysis of Place, Archaeoacoustics: Steven Waller has an educational art exhibit/installation continuing through March 21, 2008 in Ocean Beach, CA (near San Diego). The theme is "Echoes Inspired Cave Art", and the purpose is to raise awareness of connections between sound and rock art. All proceeds go toward efforts to preserve the natural soundscapes of rock art environments. See more about Rock Art and acoustics" at:
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/9461
- Preservation Effort for Galisteo Basin: (From Bob Powers) Dear Friend of Archaeological Preservation, The Galisteo Basin Archaeological Coordination Group has recently submitted a Vision and Action Plan, and a Budget to the New Mexico Congressional delegation. The plan and budget, if funded, will finally allow implementation of the Galisteo Basin Archaeological Sites Protection Act, passed by Congress in 2004. The prospect of future oil and gas drilling in the Basin makes it ever more important to obtain funding that will allow preservation and protection of some of the most important Puebloan and Spanish Colonial sites in the Southwest. Senators Bingaman and Domenici, and Representative Udall have been supportive of the Act, but because of the many competing demands for federal dollars, they need to hear from us. So, please take a few minutes and send a letter or email voicing your support for funding of the Galisteo Basin Archaeological Sites Protection Act. Attached to this message are letters to both Senators and to Congressman Udall that you are welcome to use as is, or change to suit your taste. Senators Bingaman and Domenici, as well as Congressman Udall, also have contact pages on their websites, where you can enter your message and send it electronically.
Thank you for your help and support, Bob Powers, Galisteo Basin Archaeological Sites Coordination Committee.
Sample support letters:
http://www.cdarc.org/sat/udall-fs.doc
http://www.cdarc.org/sat/Domenici-fs.doc
http://www.cdarc.org/sat/bingaman-fs.doc
Links to legislators:
http://tomudall.house.gov
http://bingaman.senate.gov/contact/types/email-issue.cfm
http://domenici.senate.gov/contact/contactform.cfm
Monday, March 10, 2008
Erosion at Sites Below Glen Canyon Dam Studied, Texas Ranger Remains Controversy
Southwestern Archaeology Making the News - A Service of the Center for Desert Archaeology
- Utah State University and Zuni Cultural Resource Enterprise Receive Grant for Study of Erosion of Sites Below Glen Canyon: Utah State University's luminescence geochronology laboratory is helping archaeologists and geologists study ancient sites threatened by erosion by the Colorado River. Last month, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation awarded $2.3 million to study archaeological sites below Glen Canyon Dam, including at least one that may have been in danger of further erosion during the recent high-flow experiment.
http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695260362,00.html
- Controversy over the Treatment of Human Remains at Texas Ranger Museum: An archaeological firm that was fired from a job excavating human bones at the city’s Texas Ranger museum expansion site is claiming the city has mismanaged the project. The city this week terminated a $437,000 contract with American Archaeology Group to relocate human remains from the site, a former burial ground. Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum director Byron Johnson said the city chose to “part ways” with the firm over differences of opinion about the archaeological process, but he said he can’t say much more because the firm has threatened a lawsuit.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/jhk - Waco Tribune Herald
- Damage to Tempe Petroglyphs Repaired: Tempe residents may be relieved that Native American petroglyphs threatened by an alleged University of Arizona prank are safe, but many are annoyed that at least $10,000 of their tax dollars were spent keeping them that way. This week the work to save the glyphs is considered virtually complete, allowing the city to arrive at an estimate of the final price tag. Workers have spent more than a year removing spray paint from "A" Mountain after a prank stemming from a football rivalry.
http://www.asuwebdevil.com/issues/2008/03/07/news/704106
- Archaeological Law Enforcement Class Offered: While this class is aimed primarily at federal and state land management and wildlife law enforcement officers, it would also be useful to county and local officers, particularly those who patrol outside town or execute search and arrest warrants for narcotics and property crimes. Because of
the value of artifacts and fossils on the black market, meth users and burglars often spend considerable time looting these items from private, state and federal lands with the intention of selling or trading them for profit. These items are likely to be found in yards or mixed amongst other stolen property or drug paraphernalia at target houses. In fact, any time an officer is in someone's house, there is a good chance of seeing artifacts or fossils.
http://www.cdarc.org/sat/ale.jpg
- Utah State University and Zuni Cultural Resource Enterprise Receive Grant for Study of Erosion of Sites Below Glen Canyon: Utah State University's luminescence geochronology laboratory is helping archaeologists and geologists study ancient sites threatened by erosion by the Colorado River. Last month, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation awarded $2.3 million to study archaeological sites below Glen Canyon Dam, including at least one that may have been in danger of further erosion during the recent high-flow experiment.
http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695260362,00.html
- Controversy over the Treatment of Human Remains at Texas Ranger Museum: An archaeological firm that was fired from a job excavating human bones at the city’s Texas Ranger museum expansion site is claiming the city has mismanaged the project. The city this week terminated a $437,000 contract with American Archaeology Group to relocate human remains from the site, a former burial ground. Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum director Byron Johnson said the city chose to “part ways” with the firm over differences of opinion about the archaeological process, but he said he can’t say much more because the firm has threatened a lawsuit.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/jhk - Waco Tribune Herald
- Damage to Tempe Petroglyphs Repaired: Tempe residents may be relieved that Native American petroglyphs threatened by an alleged University of Arizona prank are safe, but many are annoyed that at least $10,000 of their tax dollars were spent keeping them that way. This week the work to save the glyphs is considered virtually complete, allowing the city to arrive at an estimate of the final price tag. Workers have spent more than a year removing spray paint from "A" Mountain after a prank stemming from a football rivalry.
http://www.asuwebdevil.com/issues/2008/03/07/news/704106
- Archaeological Law Enforcement Class Offered: While this class is aimed primarily at federal and state land management and wildlife law enforcement officers, it would also be useful to county and local officers, particularly those who patrol outside town or execute search and arrest warrants for narcotics and property crimes. Because of
the value of artifacts and fossils on the black market, meth users and burglars often spend considerable time looting these items from private, state and federal lands with the intention of selling or trading them for profit. These items are likely to be found in yards or mixed amongst other stolen property or drug paraphernalia at target houses. In fact, any time an officer is in someone's house, there is a good chance of seeing artifacts or fossils.
http://www.cdarc.org/sat/ale.jpg
Friday, March 7, 2008
More on Linguistic Data and the Peopling of the New World, Camp Naco Charette
Southwestern Archaeology Making the News - A Service of the Center for Desert Archaeology
- Linguistic Approaches to the Study of the Peopling of the New World: A remote population of a few hundred indigenous Siberians who live thousands of miles west of Alaska speak a language that appears to be an ancient relative of more than three dozen Native languages in North America, experts say. A panel of respected linguists who met in Anchorage on Friday are hailing new research that links the Old World language of Ket, still spoken sparingly along the Yenisei River in western Siberia, and the sprawling New World family of Na-Dene languages -- a broad grouping that encompasses the many Athabascan tribes in Alaska, along with the Tlingit and Eyak people, as well as Indian populations in western Canada and the American Southwest, including the Navajo and the Apache.
http://www.adn.com/front/story/334139.html
- A Hands on Effort to Help Preserve Historic Camp Naco: The Naco Planning Charette will be a "roll-up-the-sleeves" participatory design process. Who? –Naco Community and anyone interested in Naco’s Future. Why? – To discuss an update of Naco Brownfields project, the creation of a park next to the school with walking/running/biking trail, and the preservation and future of Camp Naco Where? – Naco Elementary School, Naco, AZ. When? – Saturday, March 29th, 2008, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. A continental breakfast and lunch will be served. For further information or to join efforts to preserve Camp Naco, contact: CNAPC, c/o Professor J.C. Mutchler, University of Arizona South, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 email mutchler@email.arizona.edu. Or contact Rebecca Orozco, Director – Center for Lifelong Learning, Cochise College, Sierra Vista, AZ 85607, 520-515-5382 or in Douglas, 520-427-4772, email: orozcor@cochise.edu
- Urban Sprawl and Lost Arroyos: Residents on the Southwest Side of Tucson have probably noticed a large amount of construction along the Santa Cruz River between Drexel and Irvington roads. As part of a rezoning agreement between the city of Tucson and the developer of the Tucson Spectrum Shopping Center, this reach of the Santa Cruz River is being channelized and stabilized with bank protection. Although this construction will help with flood control and include a river park, I can't help but feel somewhat sad that we have lost another piece of Tucson history.
http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/228122
- Archaeologist James Adovasio Provides a Counterpoint to Hollywood's 10000 BC: Giant mammoths graze the Earth. Saber-toothed tigers are on the prowl. It's 10,000 B.C., and one piece of technology stands between early humans and early demise. Is it bows and arrows? Wrong. Is it the spear? Nope. Try the almighty basket -- a handy device that allowed early humans to store the plant materials that made up about 70 percent of their diets.Surprised? James Adovasio, director of the anthropology and archaeology department at Mercyhurst College, isn't. He says modern media depictions of fur-clad musclemen knocking around big cats and tackling screaming lizards have pumped our heads full of prehistoric hype for years.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/erl6 - Go Erie.Com
- Hopi Cultural Preservation Office Archaeology Month Events: Thursday, March 20, 2008, 7-8 PM, Multimedia Lecture & Discussion: “Hopi Ancestors—Development & Other Impacts on Archaeological Resources and The Role of Descendant People’s Heritage”
http://www.cdarc.org/sat/hpco_archaeology_events.pdf
- Employment Opportunity: EPG is looking for a Principal Investigator for our Phoenix Office. The ideal candidate would be an experienced individual with a PhD in Anthropology or history (preferred), although a Masters Degree is acceptable. The primary duty for the principal investigator would be reviewing archaeological documents for technical accuracy and completeness. Experience reviewing reports and coordinating with agency personnel is required. Candidates must have already been permitted in Arizona and could easily be permitted in Arizona given their credentials. The candidate must also have experience marketing and managing budgets. This position is salaried with benefits. Salary is dependent on experience and education. Please send resumes and references to jobs@epgaz.com.
- Employment Opportunity, Aztec Ruins NM: Aztec Ruins NM has an announcement for Archeology Technicians on USAJobs. It will be open for another two weeks. The position is seasonal and will be filled at the GS-05 level. Please pass the message to those who might be
interested.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/efai - USA Jobs
Thanks to Brian Kenny and Gerald Kelso for contributions to today's Newsletter!
- Linguistic Approaches to the Study of the Peopling of the New World: A remote population of a few hundred indigenous Siberians who live thousands of miles west of Alaska speak a language that appears to be an ancient relative of more than three dozen Native languages in North America, experts say. A panel of respected linguists who met in Anchorage on Friday are hailing new research that links the Old World language of Ket, still spoken sparingly along the Yenisei River in western Siberia, and the sprawling New World family of Na-Dene languages -- a broad grouping that encompasses the many Athabascan tribes in Alaska, along with the Tlingit and Eyak people, as well as Indian populations in western Canada and the American Southwest, including the Navajo and the Apache.
http://www.adn.com/front/story/334139.html
- A Hands on Effort to Help Preserve Historic Camp Naco: The Naco Planning Charette will be a "roll-up-the-sleeves" participatory design process. Who? –Naco Community and anyone interested in Naco’s Future. Why? – To discuss an update of Naco Brownfields project, the creation of a park next to the school with walking/running/biking trail, and the preservation and future of Camp Naco Where? – Naco Elementary School, Naco, AZ. When? – Saturday, March 29th, 2008, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. A continental breakfast and lunch will be served. For further information or to join efforts to preserve Camp Naco, contact: CNAPC, c/o Professor J.C. Mutchler, University of Arizona South, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 email mutchler@email.arizona.edu. Or contact Rebecca Orozco, Director – Center for Lifelong Learning, Cochise College, Sierra Vista, AZ 85607, 520-515-5382 or in Douglas, 520-427-4772, email: orozcor@cochise.edu
- Urban Sprawl and Lost Arroyos: Residents on the Southwest Side of Tucson have probably noticed a large amount of construction along the Santa Cruz River between Drexel and Irvington roads. As part of a rezoning agreement between the city of Tucson and the developer of the Tucson Spectrum Shopping Center, this reach of the Santa Cruz River is being channelized and stabilized with bank protection. Although this construction will help with flood control and include a river park, I can't help but feel somewhat sad that we have lost another piece of Tucson history.
http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/228122
- Archaeologist James Adovasio Provides a Counterpoint to Hollywood's 10000 BC: Giant mammoths graze the Earth. Saber-toothed tigers are on the prowl. It's 10,000 B.C., and one piece of technology stands between early humans and early demise. Is it bows and arrows? Wrong. Is it the spear? Nope. Try the almighty basket -- a handy device that allowed early humans to store the plant materials that made up about 70 percent of their diets.Surprised? James Adovasio, director of the anthropology and archaeology department at Mercyhurst College, isn't. He says modern media depictions of fur-clad musclemen knocking around big cats and tackling screaming lizards have pumped our heads full of prehistoric hype for years.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/erl6 - Go Erie.Com
- Hopi Cultural Preservation Office Archaeology Month Events: Thursday, March 20, 2008, 7-8 PM, Multimedia Lecture & Discussion: “Hopi Ancestors—Development & Other Impacts on Archaeological Resources and The Role of Descendant People’s Heritage”
http://www.cdarc.org/sat/hpco_archaeology_events.pdf
- Employment Opportunity: EPG is looking for a Principal Investigator for our Phoenix Office. The ideal candidate would be an experienced individual with a PhD in Anthropology or history (preferred), although a Masters Degree is acceptable. The primary duty for the principal investigator would be reviewing archaeological documents for technical accuracy and completeness. Experience reviewing reports and coordinating with agency personnel is required. Candidates must have already been permitted in Arizona and could easily be permitted in Arizona given their credentials. The candidate must also have experience marketing and managing budgets. This position is salaried with benefits. Salary is dependent on experience and education. Please send resumes and references to jobs@epgaz.com.
- Employment Opportunity, Aztec Ruins NM: Aztec Ruins NM has an announcement for Archeology Technicians on USAJobs. It will be open for another two weeks. The position is seasonal and will be filled at the GS-05 level. Please pass the message to those who might be
interested.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/efai - USA Jobs
Thanks to Brian Kenny and Gerald Kelso for contributions to today's Newsletter!
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Tucson Presidio Park, Native Tube, Dendroglyphs
Archaeology Making the News - A Service of the Center for Desert Archaeology
- Living History at Tucson's Presidio Park: The Transamerica Building looms to the south, sometimes blocking the sun. Across the street is a parking garage. Trains can be heard rumbling in the distance. And plunked in the middle of all this modern urbanity sits Tucson's distant past: the re-created Presidio San AgustÃn del Tucson.
http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/227566
- Visitor's Dilemma, Chaco or Mesa Verde? Do you like your ruins difficult to reach, over dirt washboard roads, with the only food around what you bring yourself and the only place to sleep a campground? Are you thrilled to see rattlesnakes slither by? Do you like the feeling of peering down into a grand kiva, imagining its long-ago religious ceremonies, with no other tourists in sight? Chaco's your choice. Prefer to take a twilight tour of ancient cliff dwellings led by a guide dressed up as an early archaeologist, then eat a gourmet dinner at your hotel restaurant? Would you enjoy scooting along a high mesa on a tram, chatting first with Bostonians and next with Louisianans, hopping off this time to see pit dwellings, next time to see a dramatic overlook? Mesa Verde's your ticket. (Literally; you have to buy tickets to see the main sights.)
http://www.cdarc.org/page/2zbp - The Seattle Times
- Using Internet Video to Preserve Tribal Tradition - Native Tube: The Rubios turned to the Web and built their own online TV network, Native American Tube (natube.magnify.net) - and it has changed their life and the lives of others. They have literally plugged in, and are proving to be a powerful tonic for tens of thousands of culture-hungry Native Americans. As Mya explains it, "Our community is built on love and respect for our culture. Each day our community grows larger. We created Native American Tube to bring our people together. We hope to bring non-Natives here so that they can learn what our culture is all about."
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080303/nyfnsq02.html?.v=4
- Basque Dendroglyphs in Southern Colorado: Known as arborglyphs or dendroglyphs, the impressions divulge the raw isolation of men far from the warmth of family and home. A vast majority of the carvings are simply names and dates or utilitarian notes sharing the location of a spring or warning of some danger. But there are yearnings for distant loves. Etchings of horses, mosquitoes, snakes, crosses. Boastful descriptions of forays into a nearby bordello.
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_8431883
- Archaeology of the Anza - Borrego Desert will be Featured at the Next Meeting of the Pacific Coast Archaeology Society: Pacific Coast Archaeological Society's March 13th meeting will feature Dr. Joan Schneider speaking on “What's Doin' Down South and Over the Mountains: Recent Archaeology in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and the Surrounding Region.” Meeting information: Thursday, March 13, 2008, 7:30 pm at the Irvine Ranch Water District, 15600 Sand Canyon Ave., Irvine, CA. Meeting is free and open to the public. For information:
http://www.pcas.org
- Underwater Archaeology is the Next Topic on the Archaeology Channel: Undersea exploration of shipwreck sites is rapidly growing in frequency, popularity and sophistication with improvements in technology and methodology. The potential value of this kind of research is illustrated by Anthropology Field Notes 6: Shipwrecks - with Odyssey Marine Exploration, the latest video feature on our nonprofit streaming-media Web site, The Archaeology Channel
http://www.archaeologychannel.org
- Living History at Tucson's Presidio Park: The Transamerica Building looms to the south, sometimes blocking the sun. Across the street is a parking garage. Trains can be heard rumbling in the distance. And plunked in the middle of all this modern urbanity sits Tucson's distant past: the re-created Presidio San AgustÃn del Tucson.
http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/227566
- Visitor's Dilemma, Chaco or Mesa Verde? Do you like your ruins difficult to reach, over dirt washboard roads, with the only food around what you bring yourself and the only place to sleep a campground? Are you thrilled to see rattlesnakes slither by? Do you like the feeling of peering down into a grand kiva, imagining its long-ago religious ceremonies, with no other tourists in sight? Chaco's your choice. Prefer to take a twilight tour of ancient cliff dwellings led by a guide dressed up as an early archaeologist, then eat a gourmet dinner at your hotel restaurant? Would you enjoy scooting along a high mesa on a tram, chatting first with Bostonians and next with Louisianans, hopping off this time to see pit dwellings, next time to see a dramatic overlook? Mesa Verde's your ticket. (Literally; you have to buy tickets to see the main sights.)
http://www.cdarc.org/page/2zbp - The Seattle Times
- Using Internet Video to Preserve Tribal Tradition - Native Tube: The Rubios turned to the Web and built their own online TV network, Native American Tube (natube.magnify.net) - and it has changed their life and the lives of others. They have literally plugged in, and are proving to be a powerful tonic for tens of thousands of culture-hungry Native Americans. As Mya explains it, "Our community is built on love and respect for our culture. Each day our community grows larger. We created Native American Tube to bring our people together. We hope to bring non-Natives here so that they can learn what our culture is all about."
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080303/nyfnsq02.html?.v=4
- Basque Dendroglyphs in Southern Colorado: Known as arborglyphs or dendroglyphs, the impressions divulge the raw isolation of men far from the warmth of family and home. A vast majority of the carvings are simply names and dates or utilitarian notes sharing the location of a spring or warning of some danger. But there are yearnings for distant loves. Etchings of horses, mosquitoes, snakes, crosses. Boastful descriptions of forays into a nearby bordello.
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_8431883
- Archaeology of the Anza - Borrego Desert will be Featured at the Next Meeting of the Pacific Coast Archaeology Society: Pacific Coast Archaeological Society's March 13th meeting will feature Dr. Joan Schneider speaking on “What's Doin' Down South and Over the Mountains: Recent Archaeology in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and the Surrounding Region.” Meeting information: Thursday, March 13, 2008, 7:30 pm at the Irvine Ranch Water District, 15600 Sand Canyon Ave., Irvine, CA. Meeting is free and open to the public. For information:
http://www.pcas.org
- Underwater Archaeology is the Next Topic on the Archaeology Channel: Undersea exploration of shipwreck sites is rapidly growing in frequency, popularity and sophistication with improvements in technology and methodology. The potential value of this kind of research is illustrated by Anthropology Field Notes 6: Shipwrecks - with Odyssey Marine Exploration, the latest video feature on our nonprofit streaming-media Web site, The Archaeology Channel
http://www.archaeologychannel.org
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