Pueblo Grande Indian Market Events Scheduled for Dec. 11 and 12

Pueblo Grande Indian Market Events Scheduled for Next Weekend
Pueblo Grande Event Next Weekend Celebrate at the Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park Saturday and Sunday, December 11 & 12, 2010.  More than 200 Native American artists will participate in this major cultural event.  This event is great for both the family and fine art collectors with art prices ranging from $10 to $5,000 while the proceeds fund the programs of the museum.  The public will have an opportunity to see entertainment including world champion hoop dancers and musicians and demonstrations on making of arrows and Navajo sandpainting, sample native foods, and explore a military exhibit from WWI through the Afghanistan war.   For event information visit http://www.PGIndianMarket.com. and also see http://www.examiner.com/day-trips-in-phoenix/pueblo-grande-indian-market-december-11th-and-12th-2010

Rock Art Vandalized Near Las Vegas
Authorities are offering a $2,500 reward for information about vandals who spray-painted graffiti over prehistoric rock art at the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area in Nevada. The maroon and blue paint covers pictographs drawn by ancient inhabitants and petroglyphs scraped and ground long ago into rocks at the scenic preserve about 17 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip. The federal Bureau of Land Management is working with Las Vegas police to investigate what officials are calling one of the most damaging incidents of vandalism at Red Rock in years. A conviction under the Archaeological Resources Protection Act can result in five years in prison and a $100,000 fine.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/nov/29/us-nevada-rock-art-damage-2nd-ld-writethru/

Related Story – Removal of Spray Paint from Petroglyphs Difficult and Expensive
The vandalism that may have destroyed ancient artwork carved into the stones at Red Rock Canyon could cost thousands of dollars to repair, if experts can even do it. http://www.8newsnow.com/story/13591276/vandalized-petroglyphs-may-never-be-restored

Grand Canyon National Park Closes Historic Mines to for Safety and Preservation
Traces of this mining heritage still remain, however, though they’ve been disappearing in recent years as tourists have taken artifacts as souvenirs from the mine sites. “Small little items seem to walk off in people’s backpacks,” said Greco, who noted that miners’ picks, lanterns, newspapers and even cans of food had vanished from the historic sites. The park service is trying to head that off by gating some of the mines, another facet of the project. http://www.svherald.com/content/news/2010/11/29/closing-mines-protects-history-grand-canyon-0

One Family’s Knowledge is Crucial for the Preservation of San Xavier del Bac
Vincent Morales turns to expert counsel when he has a question about his work on the restoration of historic Mission San Xavier del Bac: his father, Daniel.  Daniel knows where to go when he has a question: his father, Sonny. Sonny, in turn, got his mission knowledge from – yup – his late father, Apolino. Apolino, well, he learned some things from his own padre, Ernesto. Five generations of the Morales family have worked on stabilization and restoration of the 213-year-old mission southwest of Tucson. http://azstarnet.com/news/local/article_13d426b5-7efe-5877-943a-84176c199482.html

Southern Arizona Preservation Advocate Honored
Bob Baughman, a leader in preservation of Oro Valley history, has been honored by the Oro Valley Historic Preservation Commission, Oro Valley Historical Society and former town council members. The Oro Valley resident has served on the historic preservation commission and is currently a member of the Oro Valley Historical Society. He also helped write the ordinance that created the preservation commission, and served as its chairman.  http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2010/12/01/news/doc4cf6789b6189a828376125.txt

Lecture Opportunity (Tucson)
On Thursday, December 9, 2010, Micah Loma’omvaya will present Hisatqatsit Aw Maamatslalwa: Comprehending our Past Lifeways, and Thoughts about Hopi Archaeology, This multimedia presentation explores Hopi knowledge of the past and the role archaeology has in reinforcing traditional forms of knowledge. It also describes the social, political, and economic factors in cultural resources management that provide a background for Hopi participation in the field of archaeology. In the Pottery Project gallery. Free with paid admission. Open to the public. Seating is on a first come, first served basis. This presentation is made possible by a grant from the Arizona Humanities Council and is hosted by ASM’s community docent class.

Lecture Opportunity – Irvine
The Pacific Coast Archaeological Society’s December 9 meeting will feature Dr. John R. Johnson speaking on Clues to California Indian Prehistory as Revealed by DNA Analysis. Meeting information: Thursday, December 9, 2010, 7:30 pm at the Duck Club, Irvine, CA. Please see www.pcas.org (click on latest news) to see detour directions to the Duck Club. Although this is the annual PCAS Holiday Potluck Dinner Meeting (6 pm), the lecture (7:30 pm) is free and open to the public. For information see http://www.pcas.org.

Reminder – December Archaeology Cafe Features Dr Patrick Lyons Discussing the Role of Pottery in Understanding the Ancient Southwest
The Center for Desert Archaeology and Casa Vicente invite all to the third season of Archaeology Café, a casual, happy hour-style discussion forum dedicated to promoting community engagement with cultural and scientific research. On Tuesday, December 7, 2010, we will be joined by Dr. Patrick Lyons, Head of Collections and Acting Associate Director of the Arizona State Museum. Focusing on materials recovered from the San Pedro River Valley as a case study, Patrick will discuss the The Role of Pottery in Understanding the Ancient Southwest. www.archaeologysouthwest.org/2010/09/01/the-role-of-pottery/

Hiking – Tour Opportunity – Casamero, Part II  (Grants, NM)
Join us on December 18th, 2010, for a film-discussion-lunch-hike sponsored by BLM’s El Malpais NCA to nearby Chacoan outlier, Casamero.  Decide for yourself how they connected their life with the sky.  View “The Mystery of Chaco” on the big screen.  Discuss its fine points and more recent discoveries.  Eat hearty nearby.  Caravan 25 miles to Casamero.  Last month our clan may have discovered a building orientation to a lunar maximum… and more.  Bring
your compass and tables to help us confirm.  Dress warm.  An icy interstate is about all that will stop us.  Happy Solstice! https://www.archaeologysouthwest.org/sat/casamero.doc – MS Word Document

Employment Opportunity
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument / Anasazi Heritage Center Manager Vacancy Announcement.  BLM is seeking a dynamic and energetic individual to join our team at the San Juan Public Lands Center to provide the leadership, motivation, and direction required to implement and carry out multiple use and ecosystem management with an emphasis on protection of world class cultural resources at the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument (CANM) and Anasazi Heritage Center. Contact Mark Stiles at 970-385-1290.  http://tinyurl.com/38bnkzx – USA Jobs

Updates on Paleontological Excavations at Snowmass
Scientists have begun analyzing about 600 fossils and plants unearthed near Snowmass Village that officials say paint a vivid picture of what the Ice Age looked like in the Rocky Mountains. Scientists at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science displayed some of their findings from the site on Thursday. They include fossils from Columbian mammoths, mastodons, and plant material. Scientists are calling the discoveries at the dig site near Snowmass Village among the most important in Colorado history.  http://www.snowmasssun.com/article/20101118/FRONTPAGE/101119967/1001&parentprofile=1041

ASU Archaeologist Studies by Satellite
Remote sensing has been integral to the field of archaeology for many years, but Arizona State University archaeologist Stephen H. Savage is literally taking the use of that technology to new heights. His brand of remote sensing involves a hyperspectral instrument called Hyperion aboard NASA’s Earth Observing-1 satellite.
Savage’s focus is Khirbat en-Nahas, a major copper mining and smelting site of the ancient world. Located in an inhospitable valley in Jordan, the area has yielded to Savage and his team evidence of sophisticated economic and political activity dating back about 3,000 years.  http://asunews.asu.edu/20101202_savage

Additional Damage at Pompeii
Pompeii officials said an inspection found that a 40-foot-long section of wall forming part of the perimeter of a garden near the House of the Moralist gave way in several points. They said the extreme sogginess of the soil brought down the wall. Italy is struggling to preserve its immense archaeological wealth for future generations. A few weeks ago, Italy was embarrassed when a frescoed house, the Schola Armaturarum, where gladiators prepared for combat, was reduced to a pile of stones and dust in seconds. Less than a year ago, another building, the House of the Chaste Lovers, collapsed in Pompeii.  http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/new-blow-for-pompeii-as-wall-collapses-after-rain-2148035.html