Southwest Archaeology Today for Sept 18, 2006

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

– The Center for Desert Archaeology Presents a New Exhibit at Casa Malpais: As part of a long term partnership with the Town of Springerville, the Center for Desert Archaeology is completing both a stabilization and preservation effort for Casa Malpais and with generous support from the Arizona Humantites Council, a new series of interactive exhibits to explore the Art, Architecture and Archaeology of this fascinating site. On September 23rd Springerville will be celebrating a local heritage day featuring archaeological tours, a rededication and interpretive program of a “Madonna of the Trail” Statue by the Arizona Daughters of the American Revolution, and a grand reopening of the Casa Malpais Museum and Visitor’s Center. The presentation of the new exhibits will begin at 6:00 at the museum, which is located at 318 E Main Street in Springerville.
http://www.cdarc.org/pages/what/exhibits/visit/casa_malpais_heritage_celebration.php

– Historic Neighborhood Designation in Tempe Causing Controversy: The prospect of designating Tempe’s oldest remaining neighborhood as “historic” is digging into what’s already a deep divide between community members in the area. The Maple-Ash neighborhood is the fourth group to seek the city’s protective measure that regulates exterior building standards to preserve its character. Opponents fear the designation will add red tape to any changes they might want to make to their homes as well as discourage developer interest in their property.
http://tinyurl.com/ke9ws – The Arizona Republic

– Archaeologists in Utah Uncover Evidence of 1853 Massacre:State archaeologists have unearthed a 150-year-old crime scene that could shed light on the slaying of seven American Indians. Archaeologists have excavated seven bodies from a mass grave in downtown Nephi. They say the men were the victims of a killing during what is known as the Walker War in 1853. The skeletons, tangled together in a shallow grave, were discovered last month, when a homebuilder dug into an old ravine, now filled with about 6 feet of sand, to pour the foundation for a new home.
http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/national/article/0,1406,KNS_350_4996304,00.html

– Historian to Present Lecture on Water Law in Spanish and Mexican Periods: Michael Brescia will present “Spanish and Mexican Water Law” at tonight’s meeting of the Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society Meeting. The lecture is free, and is held at the Duval Auditorium at the University Medical Center.

– New Rock Art Find in Utah: Development in this booming Utah County city is nearly impossible to slow down. Unless, of course, you run into 6,000-year-old petroglyphs. That’s the predicament developers for Eagle Mountain Ranch LLC faced when they learned part of their property slated for a residential subdivision contained archaic rock art. “It is some of the oldest rock art in Utah,” Nina Bowen, archivist for the Utah Rock Art Research Association, said in a news release. “Its style is very unique.” Knowing the significance of the rock drawings, city officials and developers are making a joint effort to protect it. The most compelling piece at the undisclosed site shows what appears to be three figures holding hands and dancing, said Utah Rock Art Research President Troy Scotter. The Salt Lake Tribune and other news media won’t see the art until a Monday news conference. Scotter said the region boasts quite a bit of rock art – ranging from archaic (2,000 to 6,000 years old) to younger creations by the Fremont people (A.D. 500 to 1300).
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_4344410?source=rss

– New Mesa Verde Foundation Holds Sokini Heritage Gathering: Mesa Verde National Park is an American treasure, but it’s also one of the jewels of Southwest Colorado. Unfortunately, like most of the parks in the national system, it’s also severely underfunded and has significant needs. One of the necessities for the park is a cultural/visitors center and space to archive the artifacts that have been retrieved during the park’s first 100 years. Many of those are currently moldering in a tin shed. The foundation is continuing its fundraising efforts for the visitors center. On Sept. 9, it held its annual Soukiini fundraiser, one of the premier events among nonprofits in the area. Kathy L’Amour served as the chairwoman for the event and former Sen. Jim Dyer, D-Durango, now serves as the chairman of the foundation’s board.
http://tinyurl.com/lw4gu – Durango Herald

– Grand Staircase / Escalante National Monument Found to be a Great Place for Science: The monument boasts unlimited potential for anthropological and archaeological research. Since 1999, land managers have worked with Brigham Young University and Northern Arizona University on a series of excavations along the Escalante River canyon and uplands. Their work offers a better understanding of the time when Anasazi and Fremont cultures came in contact with each other just before both abandoned the area. The findings probably will provide the standard archaeological text for decades. Other projects include research of American Indians, including the Paiutes and Hopis, with a history in the monument.
http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_4348715