Southwest Archaeology Today for Feb 6, 2006

– Utah Considering Serious Revisions of State Antiquities Law: The proposed legislation removes from the antiquities section the authority to issue permits for archaeological survey or excavation on state lands, transferring that power to the Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office . Included in this transfer of authority is the reduction of professional qualifications, as well as permitting a nonscientific body of appointed members to determine scientific methodology. The position of state archaeologist is removed altogether. The antiquities section would not be permitted to comment on the undertakings of state agencies, and would no longer be required to assist the agencies in matters involving archaeology or anthropology but may do so “if requested.” To further undermine objective scientific consultation, the PLPCO has been given the authority to review the analysis of the State Historic Preservation Office, and can intervene if they do not concur.
http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_3476911

– Interview with Paul S. Martin: Martin, an emeritus professor of geosciences at the University of Arizona at Tucson, recently published a book on the subject, Twilight of the Mammoths: Ice Age Extinctions and the Rewilding of America (University of California Press, 2005). In it, he discusses his many years of research, the reaction to his theory and the implications of his work for future wildlife conservation efforts. “Without knowing it,” he writes, “Americans live in a land of ghosts.” He proposes introducing animals such as elephants to parts of North America where their extinct relatives once roamed.
http://tinyurl.com/85uhb – American Scientist

– Good Stewardship the Focus of the Colorado Saving Places Conference: Anyone who visits the cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde National Park should know about it.
So should any archaeologist who digs on national park land, as well as those who toil in the field of historic preservation. “It,” in this case, is three different anniversaries being marked this year and noted next week during the annual Saving Places conference in Denver sponsored by Colorado Preservation Inc. The conference, which begins Wednesday, is expected to attract more than 600 people who work in preservation, whether making policy or keeping bricks and mortar together.
http://tinyurl.com/bpu8t – Rocky Mountain News
http://www.coloradopreservation.org/spc/index.html – Saving Places Conference

– Mesa Verde Collection to be Displayed at the Saving Places Conference (Denver): Mesa Verde artifacts that have been locked in museum vaults for years will be on display at a historic preservation conference in Denver next week. The tools, pottery and baskets are part of Mesa Verde National Park’s centennial exhibit, Artifacts, Art, and Beauty. The exhibit will start at 6 p.m. Friday at the end of the Saving Places Conference (Feb 9th, the conference runs from Feb 8-10). The conference by Colorado Preservation Inc. includes three days of programs on regional historic preservation.
http://tinyurl.com/bmnvg – Cortez Journal

– Mesa Grande on Display from Hospital Viewing Lounge (Mesa):Visitors to Banner Mesa Medical Center soon will get a bird’s-eye look into Mesa’s roots from an eighth-floor observation center overlooking the Mesa Grande Platform Mound Ruins.
This month, a waiting room will be turned into a museum with exhibits explaining the history and significance of the ruins and a second site about a mile northwest at Mesa Riverview. It will feature a mural by artist Craig Chepley.
http://tinyurl.com/9526h – Arizona Republic

– Free Lecture on Mexican Mask Drama at the Arizona State Museum: Thursday, February 9, 7 pm. The mirrored mask: representations of the “other” in Mexican mask drama Dr. Janet Brody Esser, Latin American Studies, San Diego State University Explore Mexican masks and mask drama as they exist today among several regional cultures. See depictions of women, blacks, Jews, city dwellers and priests that range from the fantastic to the comical. All relate to, and reveal, a dynamic history that portrays attitudes about roles, relationships, and status. See masks from Dr. Esser’s private collection at the post-lecture reception. The lecture takes place at the Center for English as a Second Language (CESL) auditorium, just one building east of ASM north. Enjoy a reception following each lecture at Arizona State Museum!
http://www.statemuseum.arizona.edu/public/index.shtml

– Public Lecture on the Oatman Family at Mohave Community College: A lecture concerning The Saga of the Oatman Family Massacre will be conducted at the Mohave Community College – Bullhead City, Arizona Campus on February 7, 2006 at 6 PM. The lecture is part of the activities commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the release of Olive Oatman from the Mohave Tribe. For additional information contact David McDaniel at bred@ctaz.com (submitted by David McDaniel).

– Southwest Seminars Presents a lecture by Dennis Slifer (Santa Fe): “Fertility Themes in Southwest Rock Art” will be presented tonight (Feb 6), 6 pm at the Hotel Santa Fe. Addmission is 10 dollars which is being collected to benefit the Office of Archaeological Studies, at the Museum of New Mexico. This lecture is part of the Ancient Sites and Ancient Stories lecture Series.

– Pacific Cost Archaeology Society Presents a Lecture on Australian Rock Art: Pacific Coast Archaeological Society’s February 9, 2006 meeting will feature David Lee speaking on “Introduction to the Rock Art in Five Regions of Australia.” For two months last summer, David Lee visited Australia to study the rock art in five regions. The main purpose of the trip was to study the similarities and dissimilarities between the rock art and rock features of Australia and the western United States. Mr. Lee was fortunate to spend time with several very knowledgeable people including a tribal elder (Bill Harney) who could explain the function and meaning of much of the rock art. Meeting information: Thursday, February 9, 2006, 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

– Utah Teenagers Sentenced in Rock Art Vandalism Case: Five teenagers have been sentenced after admitting they vandalized a rock panel of petroglyph art northwest of St. George. A restitution hearing is scheduled for Feb. 26 to determine how to pay for repairing the damage estimated at $7,500. The teenagers, two boys ages 16 and 17 and three 15-year-old girls, were charged Aug. 8 under Utah’s Cultural Sites Protection Act with third-degree felony vandalism for scratching names and obscenities into the Land Hill petroglyph site May 16. Some of the petroglyphs are estimated to be 5,000 years old.
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_3463307?source=rss

– History and Historic Preservation in Las Vegas: Although a common perception is that Las Vegas’ history began with slot machines and neon, the city’s roots can be traced to prehistoric times — and will be saved for future generations thanks to millions of dollars in preservation projects. The projects, ranging from centuries-old relics to more familiar 20th-century icons, represent perhaps the most expensive collection of historic preservation plans undertaken by the city. Topped by the $20 million-plus restoration of the old downtown Post Office, the projects will help chronicle Las Vegas’ history through eons, starting with a prehistoric riverbed containing the fossils of ancient marine life and extending through more recent historic landmarks such as the La Concha Motel’s conch-shaped lobby.
http://tinyurl.com/7fzfg – Rolling Good Times

– El Paso Archaeological Society Offers Thomas H. Naylor Schoarship Paper Competition: The El Paso Archaeological Society is pleased to announce the Thomas H. Naylor Student Paper Competition, for Spring 2006. The winning entry will receive a cash prize of $1,000 and publication of the paper in the Artifact, the Journal of the El Paso Archaeological Society. The competition is only open to bona fide undergraduate and graduate students of any recognized college or university.
http://www.epas.com/scholarship.htm

Archaeological Science of the Americas Symposium 2006, Call for Papers: The organizing committee of the Archaeological Science of the Americas Symposium is pleased to solicit contributions for 2006. ASAS encourages regular and sustained collaboration between archaeological, conservation, and natural scientists in the Americas. The meeting will be hosted by graduate students in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Arizona. The Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) Program in Archaeological Sciences at the University of Arizona will co-sponsor this event.
The Biennial Symposium will focus on studies, techniques, and approaches that emphasize the analysis and interpretation of prehistoric and historic materials, human cultures and ecology. Researchers at all levels of experience and training are invited to participate. A special invitation is extended to colleagues from Canada, Mexico, Central America, and South America. Conceptual and methodological contributions that transcend geographic boundaries of research are also encouraged; applications need not be confined to the Americas.
In recognition that archaeological science represents an interdisciplinary effort, six major themes will be represented at the meeting: (1) Geoarchaeology; (2) Conservation Studies and Ephemeral Remains; (3) Spatial Analysis and Remote Sensing; (4) Chronometry; (5) Human-Environmental Interaction; and (6) Material Culture Studies. Proposals of organized sessions (5-6 papers and one discussant) are due April 1, 2006. Abstracts for individually-submitted papers, posters, and computer simulations are due May 1, 2006 and are limited to 250 words. Application fees are $60(US) for students and $90(US) for professionals. Checks are to be made out to the University of Arizona Foundation. Please note that none of the application fee is tax deductible.
Monthly updates regarding conference-sponsored award competitions, lectures, workshops, fieldtrips, and social events will be available online as planning proceeds. Contact information for participant housing will also be posted on the site.
For more information, please visit our website or contact one of the organizing committee members directly: R. Emerson Howell (rhowell@email.arizona.edu) or AJ Vonarx (ajvonarx@email.arizona.edu).
http://asas06.ltc.arizona.edu/