Southwest Archaeology Today for Feb 17, 2006

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

– Rock Art Researchers Publish Innovative Study on Digital Rock Art Documentation: The latest edition of Coalition (No. 11), an international electronic newsletter designed for people involved in cultural heritage studies has just been placed online. Computer-assisted Photographic Documentation of Rock Art by Robert Mark & Evelyn. Billo (of Flagstaff’s Rupestrian CyberServices) is available on line at:
http://www.rtphc.csic.es/PDF/NL11.pdf
Also see http://www.infomagic.net/~rockart/

– New Video on the Archaeology Channel Features Range Creek Canyon: Archaeologists in western North America rarely encounter pristine archaeological sites exposed in the open, largely because relic hunters find the sites first and remove whatever might have value to them. That’s one big reason why the story of Range Creek Canyon, whose sites have been protected by a ranching family for generations, is so utterly fascinating. You can experience that fascination in Secrets of the Lost Canyon, the latest video feature on our nonprofit streaming-media Web site, The Archaeology Channel. When it was revealed in 2004, Range Creek Canyon became a worldwide sensation. In a special parcel of land wedged in a remote corner of Utah, the Wilcox family had protected hundreds-if not thousands-of ancient Fremont Culture archaeological sites. But other stories lurk behind the headlines and media hype: political deal making, competing interests forced into uneasy alliances and unspoken pressures that could shape the fate of the canyon. Lost Canyon, produced by Salt Lake City TV station KUED, captures the first glimpses of untouched rock art, houses and artifacts in wilderness-like settings.
http://www.archaeologychannel.org/

– Arizona Health Officials Urge Caution About Hantavirus: There have been seven hantavirus cases in Arizona during the last 13 months. That’s the largest cluster of cases in the state since an outbreak in 1993 and 1994, when 18 people got sick and 10 died.
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/news/local/021306a10_hantavirus

– Former Colorado Deputy Investigated for Archaeological Vandalism: The park service began its investigation nearly a year ago after receiving a tip from Lindsey’s ex-wife, Peggy Ann Lindsey. She said she decided to report him after their 12-yearold son returned from a trip with Lindsey describing how they “hunted, excavated and removed prehistoric Indian artifacts from within the boundaries of Glen Canyon National Recreational Area” in Utah. He reportedly told his son, “Unless it’s on private property, you can take anything you want,” according to the affidavit. “Peggy Lindsey stated that she didn’t want Charles to pass this ideology and attitude on to their son.” The son gave his mother petrified wood, dinosaur bones and potsherds, which she turned over to authorities. Peggy Lindsey described a number of incidents over a period of years during which she said her husband and his family stole property from public and private lands in several Western states.
http://www.gazette.com/display.php?id=1314732

– The Arizona Site Steward Program’s Efforts to Preserve Sites in the San Tan Mountains: Some local residents are keeping a close eye on San Tan Mountain Regional Park. Under the Arizona State Parks Department site-protector program, about 760 volunteers have been trained to watch over the parks in 27 regions in Arizona. Denise Head, Georgia Peterson, and Alden and Caroline Rosbrook are four of the volunteers who have adopted the park in Pinal County just south of Queen Creek.
http://tinyurl.com/b6gm8 The Arizona Republic

– Social Sustainability Workshop in Albuquerque: Social Sustainability: Assessing Cultural Values for Design, Planning, and Historic Preservation. Saturday Morning Workshop February 25th, 9:00-10:30 UNM School of Architecture and Planning, Room 118 (Just east of the Frontier Restaurant). Setha M. Low, Professor of Environmental Psychology and Anthropology, and Director of the Public Space Research Group at The Graduate Center of City University of New York. “Cultural Ecosystems,” writes professor Low, “are located in time and space. To be conserved, preserved, and maintained, their ‘spaces’ and environments must be protected. Cultural conservation requires the preservation of community places.” In the first half of this work shop, Low will present the methods she has developed for Rapid Ethnographic Assessment of public spaces including: Behavioral Mapping, Transect Walks, Interviews with Individuals and Experts Participant Observation, Focus Groups, and Historical Research Examples from her work on the plazas of San Jose, Costa Rica; on Independence Historical National Park, Philadelphia, and Ellis Island will demonstrate how these methods can contribute to the understanding and preservation of cultural diversity in public spaces. Student Research. In the second half of the workshop, she plans a dialogue with the audience. Student (and, time permitting, faculty) will briefly sketch their own research, thesis or dissertation topics for comment and suggestions from her. Please RSVP to Chris Wilson to help planning for food, and to receive the link and password for an electronic reserve reading from Low’s writings on the topic. Also mention if you wish to discuss your own work, and your topic. And don’t miss Setha Low’s presentation of the annual J. B. Jackson Lecture the evening before the workshop: “The Architecture of Fear: Gated Communities in America” February 24th, 4:30 22 Northrop Hall, On the UNM Yale Pedestrian Mall

– Acoma Unbounded Workshop Series Starts Feb 28: A 10-week series of Tuesday workshops open to the public titled “Acoma Unbounded,” and sponsored jointly by the Pueblo of Acoma and New Mexico State University-Grants, begins Feb. 28. The workshops will present information about the Acoma’s history, language, traditional agriculture, a film, “Daughters of the Anasazi,” the story of Acoma Business Enterprises, a tour of Acoma’s Sky City on a Saturday and a special presentation on a Thursday by well-known author and college professor Simon Ortiz.
http://www.gallupindependent.com/2006/feb/021406wrshpsrs.html

– Corn, Beans and Squash, an Enduring Trinity: Long before the Pilgrims sailed into Plymouth harbor, tribes living in what today is called Arizona developed a distinctive cuisine around corn, beans and squash. It was corn, believed to be the ultimate source of life, that dominated. The earliest cultivars came in an array of colors – red, yellow, white, and blue so dark and inky it matched the night skies hovering above the pueblo rooftops. Both the Anasazi – dry farmers par excellence – and tribes in the southern part of the state that developed irrigation produced ample harvests that allowed the development of an impressive cuisine.
http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096412457

– Rex Owens and the Owens-Colvin Site: Like a pirate who searches for buried treasure, educated and experienced doctors of archaeology search the earth relentlessly for hidden evidence of ancient cultures – but some of them never find a thing. Amateur archaeologist Rex Owens simply has the gift. After taking several college courses and gaining experience as an engineer in the subject of archaeology, Owens first discovered the largest single collection in Graham County on his own property in the summer of 1987.
http://www.eacourier.com/articles/2006/02/13/local_news/news05.txt

– Upcoming Events at the Arizona State Museum Southwest Indian Art Fair: Thursday, February 23, 2006 the museum will feature an artist showcase. A lecture will be held at CESL auditorium, 7 p.m, with a post-lecture reception at ASM. Gear up for the Southwest Indian Art Fair by spending an evening with Gerry Quotskuyva, Hopi katsina carver, and Andy Abeita, Isleta Pueblo fetish carver and Native American artists’ advocate. Free. Sponsored by the Friends of ASM Collections. The Art Fair itself begins Saturday, Feb 25 and runs through Sunday, Feb. 26, 2006. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Meet 200 of the most renowned Native artists. Shop for top-quality artwork including pottery, Hopi kachina dolls, paintings, jewelry, baskets, rugs, blankets, and much more. Artist demonstrations, Native foods, music, and dance performances. ASM members admitted one hour early on Saturday for best selection and to enjoy a light breakfast! $8 adults, $3 children 12-16, $12 2-day passes, children 11 and under free, UA and Pima students free with school I.D., member discounts. Supported in part by Gateway.
http://www.statemuseum.arizona.edu/events/swiaf/swiaf.shtml

– Old Pueblo Archaeology Tour of Q Ranch: Q-Ranch: A Historical and Archaeological Treasure. A historical and archaeological summary description of the very important Q-Ranch near Young, Arizona that is home to a rich modern history and a major A.D. 1300 350-room Mogollon/Western Puebloan culture ruin being studied as a project by the Arizona Archaeological Society. Old Pueblo Archaeology Bulletin, Number 43, December 2005, pp. 1,2,6,7. Contact Old Pueblo Archaeology Center in Tucson at 520-798-1201 or info@oldpueblo.org.

– Job Announcements:

Field Director and Field Archaeologists (New Mexico):
Southwest Archaeological Consultants is seeking a Field Director for a large-scale testing and excavation project southeast of Chaco Canyon, straddling the Continental Divide. Minimum requirements are a graduate degree in archaeology/anthropology or a B.A./B.S. with extensive fieldwork experience and a minimum of 2 years supervisory experience in the Southwest. CRM work experience preferred. The position requires good organizational and field skills, with a solid background in fieldwork design and implementation and report preparation. Clear writing skills are a must and an ability to work with other staff is important. Pay rate is based on experience, with a beginning range of $32,500 to 38,000. Benefits available.

Southwest Archaeological Consultants is also hiring crew chiefs and archaeologists for survey, testing and excavation positions, beginning immediately. Many of the projects are long term. Work primarily is around Santa Fe, in the San Juan Basin, and outside Grants, New Mexico. Some experience is preferred. Archaeologist responsibilities include (1) understanding and implementing field survey and excavation methods as outlined in Southwest’s standard field manuals; (2) completing Laboratory of Anthropology site survey and supplementary forms; (3) completing Southwest’s excavation forms and field notebooks; and (4) in-field artifact analyses for survey. Wages are based on experience, with a sliding scale of $9.00 to 12.00.

All interested applicants should send a resume complete with references to Cherie L. Scheick, Program Director, Southwest Archaeological Cons., and PO Box 8617, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 87504. email: cscheick@aol.com