Southwest Archaeology Today for April 28, 2008

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

– The Role of Canines In the Ancient Southwest: Hundreds of prehistoric dogs found buried throughout the southwestern United States show that canines played a key role in the spiritual beliefs of ancient Americans, new research suggests. Throughout the region, dogs have been found buried with jewelry, alongside adults and children, carefully stacked in groups, or in positions that relate to important structures, said Dody Fugate, an assistant curator at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/04/080423-dog-burials.html

– May is Colorado Archaeology and Historic Preservation Month: What’s past is prelude for May’s debut of Archaeology and Historic Preservation Month, designated on Leap Day this year by Gov. Bill Ritter Jr. Throughout the state, communities will offer exhibits, lectures, activities and tours interpreting Colorado history from rock art to learning about earning tax credits for historic preservation efforts. Here’s a sampling of some upcoming events; for more, go to coloradohistory-oahp.org, and click on “What’s New.”
http://www.denverpost.com/ci_9067482?source=rss
http://coloradohistory-oahp.org

– Planning Begins for 2008 New Mexico Archaeology Fair: “Habia Una Vez/Once Upon A Time in Los Lunas.” the 15th annual New Mexico archaeology fair. Call for Exhibitors, Demonstrators, and Educators! Come join HPD archaeologists, staff, professional colleagues, and members of the community at the 2008 New Mexico Archaeology Fair in Los Lunas, New Mexico on Friday, 26 September, from noon to 5 PM, and on Saturday, 27 September, from 9 AM to 5 PM. We will be outdoors in another grand celebration of the region’s human history and culture.
ttp://www.cdarc.org/sat/2008-ary-fair.doc

– Tohono O’odham Restore Farmland near San Xavier Mission: The Tohono O’odham are celebrating a part of their culture that was lost for decades. The San Xavier Coop Farm is now growing crops. It’s beautiful, it’s really beautiful.” Julie Ramon Pierson is standing on the edge of land her grandfather farmed decades ago. Even before the Tohono O’odham, centuries ago their ancestors, The Hohokam, were the first to farm here.
http://www.kold.com/Global/story.asp?S=8232298&nav=menu86_2

– Increase in Visitation, Combined with Less Funding, Threatens National Parks: The analysis shows that visitation to parks is up nationally, creating more pressure on them. But the number of “full-time equivalent” employees is down, providing fewer services and less care despite the visitor growth. And increases in operations budgets at most parks are not keeping pace with inflation.
http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,5143,695273983,00.html

– 12th Annual Sheep Is Life Celebration Planned for June 19-21: Mark your calendar now! Attend the 12th Annual Sheep Is Life Celebration Thursday – Saturday, June 19-21, 2008 at the Grey Hills Academy, Tuba City (To’Nanees’ Dizi) Arizona, Navajo Nation. Fun for the entire family! Let us know if you are interested being a vendor, giving a workshop. or making a presentation.
http://www.navajolifeway.org/

– Lecture Opportunity: Monday, April 28, 2008 “Natural Resources and the Law in Hispanic Arizona and New Mexico”, a lecture by ASM ethnohistorian Michael M. Brescia.
6 p.m. at the Arizona Historical Society, 949 E. 2nd Street in Tucson. Free and open to the public. This lecture series is made possible in part by a grant from the Arizona Humanities Council and is designated a “We the People” project by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

– 4 Corners Indian Art Fair this Weekend at the Edge of the Cedars Musuem: Blanding, Utah: The Edge of the Cedars Museum is pleased to present the third annual Four Corners Indian Art Festival, May 3rd and 4th from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM each day. This year’s Festival promises an amazing celebration of Native talent, including original artwork by at least fifty artists representing fifteen tribes, demonstrations, music, traditional dances, and juried art competition. There is something for everyone at the Festival: taste-tempting foods, the silent auction, children’s activities, and art to please just about everybody. KRTZ, 98.7 radio from Cortez will be broadcasting throughout the day, Saturday. The best part is that it’s all free and family-friendly!
http://www.cdarc.org/sat/ecm-4-corners-art.doc – MS Word Document

– Employment Opportunity: EcoPlan Associates, Inc., is accepting applications for a principal investigator/project director and temporary field technicians. The successful candidate will have a graduate degree in anthropology or archaeology, previous research, management and field experience, technical writing ability, and a familiarity with current archaeological methods. Preference will be given to applicants with previous PI/PD experience that are currently based in the Tucson or Phoenix metropolitan areas. This is a full-time permanent position and includes vacation, medical, and retirement benefits. EcoPlan is also seeking multiple temporary archaeological field technicians to participate in an excavation at a large prehistoric village site in central Arizona beginning in July 2008. The project will last approximately 12 weeks, and will include transportation to and from the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, local lodging, and meals/incidentals up to $34 per day. Applicants must be able to work in extreme heat and lift a 50-pound load. Preference will be given to applicants with a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in anthropology or archaeology. Qualified Native Americans affiliated with the Akimel O’odham, Yavapai, Apache, Hopi or other southwest nations are encouraged to apply. If interested in either of these positions, please send resume, cover letter, and list of references by e-mail to: CulturalJobs@EcoPlanAZ.com, by mail to Cultural Resources Group, EcoPlan Associates, Inc., 701 West Southern Avenue, Suite 203, Mesa, Arizona, 85210, or by fax to 480 733 6661. No telephone calls, please.