Southwest Archaeology Today for April 1, 2008

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 http://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.