Arizona Historic Preservation Conference Begins This Wednesday, June 22

Arizona Historic Preservation Conference Begins This Wednesday, June 22
The 9th Annual Arizona Historic Preservation Conference: “Valuing Historic Perspectives” will take place June 22 through June 24, 2011 at the University Park Marriott in Tucson, 880 East Second St. The conference, hosted by The Arizona Preservation Foundation, Arizona State Historic Preservation Office, Arizona Commerce Authority, City of Tucson and Pima County is open to the public for a fee  and includes a no host reception as well as post-conference guided and self-guided tours of some of Tucson’s historic landmarks.  http://tucsoncitizen.com/pima-county-news/2011/06/17/historic-preservation-conference-in-tucson-pima-county-preservation-projects/

New Guide to Historic Tucson Neighborhoods Published in Time for Arizona Historic Preservation Conference
A new map and guide of Tucson’s historic neighborhoods that’s been more than a year in the making is set to roll off the presses this week – just in time for the 2011 Arizona Historic Preservation Conference in Tucson on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The Blenman-Elm Neighborhood Association, in one of Tucson’s 25 nationally registered historic districts, spearheaded the effort after residents saw a similar guide published for the Phoenix area, said Alan Myklebust, who led the effort on behalf of the association. http://azstarnet.com/news/local/article_a8b32f77-3e9d-5409-8cc0-cb5e0f16af9f.html Also see: http://www.azpreservation.com/

Correction: Smithsonian Repatriation Efforts are Not Affiliated with NAGPRA
In the last issue of the Southwest Archaeology Today newsletter, the headline of an article incorrectly associated the Smithsonian’s efforts to repatriate items within its collection with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.  As several readers have commented, the Smithsonian is not governed by NAGPRA regulations.  The Center for Desert Archaeology regrets this mistake.

National Trust for Historic Preservation Names the Chacoan Landscape One of 11 Most Endangered Places
Hundreds of sites in northwest New Mexico that make up the Greater Chaco Landscape are in danger, a national nonprofit agency announced Wednesday. The National Trust for Historic Preservation named the area — a swatch of indigenous cultural sites including Aztec Ruins National Monument, Salmon Ruins and Chaco Culture National Historical Park — one of America’s 11 most endangered historic places in 2011. http://www.daily-times.com/farmington-news/ci_18284604?source=rss

Experimental Archaeologists Explore Ancient Coppersmiths’ Techniques
Northwestern University researchers ditched many of their high-tech tools and turned to large stones, fire and some old-fashioned elbow grease to recreate techniques used by Native American coppersmiths who lived more than 600 years ago. This prehistoric approach to metalworking was part of a metallurgical analysis of copper artifacts left behind by the Mississippians of the Cahokia Mounds, who lived in southwestern Illinois from 700 until 1400 A.D. The study was published in the Journal of Archaeological Science in May. http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/2064595/science_explains_ancient_copper_artifacts/index.html?source=r_science

National Park Service Survey to Prepare for Future Studies at Pecos Pueblo
Archaeologists plan to begin searching around the ruins of Pecos Pueblo later this summer for artifacts from its trading days with Plains Indians, as well as metal from the first European incursion into what is now the United States. Charles Haecker, a National Park Service anthropologist, said the survey during the last week of August is aimed at exploring with metal detectors in preparation for a more ambitious project in 2012 that will use ground-penetrating radar and other remote-sensing techniques.  http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/Team-to-scour-land-near-pueblo-ruins-for-artifacts-

Planned Use of Effluent at Snowbowl Continues to Highlight Fight to Preserve Traditional Sacred Places
Ben Shelly, Navajo Nation president, is apologetic yet determined when it comes to one of the country’s special places, a place he calls “very important.” He is one of the leaders in the fight to protect the San Francisco Peaks—sacred to more than 13 Southwestern tribes—from using treated sewage water for artificial snowmaking at the Arizona Snowbowl Ski Resort near Flagstaff.  His position echoes that of leaders across North America who have watched as sacred sites have been swallowed up or damaged by private, non-Native users, government-backed projects or vandalism, or who watch sites’ protection defined simply as an archaeological issue. http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2011/06/sacred-sites%E2%80%94concern-extends-across-country/

Canyon De Chelly – The Best Unknown Park in America?
On the floor of Canyon de Chelly, what pops up in three dimensions of desert light are the remains of 900-year-old stone apartments, the graveyard of peach trees cut down by Kit Carson’s Indian killers, and sandstone walls that drew the cameras of Edward Curtis and Ansel Adams. http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/16/the-best-unknown-park-in-america/

Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site Chosen to Compete for “This Place Matters” Award
Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site has been selected to participate in the 2011 “This Place Matters” Community Challenge sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. One hundred sites were chosen from over 250 applicants from around the country to compete in a popularity contest for three cash prizes. The winning sites will be determined by the number of votes received through the National Trust’s Web site. The top prize is $25,000. To vote for Hueco Tanks, anyone can visit the National Trust’s site to register. Voting closes June 30 at 4 p.m. http://www.preservationnation.org/take-action/this-place-matters/community-challenge/places/hueco-tanks-state-park.html

Free Admission to Gila Cliff Dwellings and other National Parks Planned for June 21st
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument Superintendent Steve Riley announced today that no entrance fee will be charged for visiting Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument on June 21, 2o11, the first day of summer.  The multi-agency Gila Visitor Center is open from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm.  The Gila Cliff Dwellings are open daily from 8:30 am until 5:00 pm and while the gate to the Cliff Dwellings closes at 5:00 pm, visitors have another hour in which to complete their hike. While the Miller Fire burned through much of the Gila Valley, including the Monument no damage was sustained and now is a great time to come up and see the beginnings of the recovery as plants begin their natural recovery cycle.  Deer and Elk are frequently being seen as they forage for green food in the burned areas, so be on the lookout for them and drive defensively.

15th Annual Sheep is Life Celebration Starts  June 24
Experience Navajo Sheep Culture and enjoy free activities for the whole family at the Sheep is Life Celebration on Friday and Saturday, June 24 and 25, at the Diné College Rodeo Grounds in Tsaile, Arizona. At the Sheep Camp, try carding, spinning, and felting with Navajo-Churro wool.  Learn how to train horses, sheep dogs, and llamas.  Visit vendors selling sheep, wool, weavings, and crafts, then go to the outdoor museum and “build a Churro” to take home. On Monday through Friday, Hatathli Museum events include Chant of the Spider exhibit, a juried Diné weaving sale, Diné food tastings, and an awards presentation. In the evening, enjoy stories, poetry, and traditional games around the campfire.  Sheep is Life is organized by Diné be’ iiná, Inc. in collaboration with the Diné College Land Grant Office. It is funded in part by USDA Risk Management Agency and the Arizona Humanities Council. http://www.navajolifeway.org/

Help the Southwestern Mission Research Center’s Strategic Planning
The SMRC Board of Directors is currently undertaking a strategic planning process in order to keep SMRC’s programs relevant and effective. We’ve developed a short web-based survey and need your input. You can take the survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VHVQSRD

AZ State Historic Preservation Office Seeks Raw Material Data for Inclusion in the AZSITE Database
In an effort to make valuable information on raw material sources more widely available for incorporation into ongoing projects, the Professional Competency Committee of the Arizona Governor’s Archaeology Advisory Commission has been working with the Arizona State Museum to include this information in AZSITE. https://www.archaeologysouthwest.org/sat/raw_material_in_AZSITE.doc

Lecture Opportunity (Silver City)
“Archaeology of the Southwest” by Dr. Stephen Lekson, a well-known writer, lecturer, archaeologist and professor at the University of Colorado-Boulder, 6-8 p.m. Monday, WNMU Global Resource Center auditorium, 12th Street at Kentucky. Lekson will discuss his archaeological adventures in the Mogollon and Anasazi regions. A free program sponsored by the Western Institute for Lifelong Learning (WILL) and the Grant County Archaeological Society. For more information, call Ted Presler at (575) 519-8375 or Marilyn Markel at (575) 536-9337.  – Silver City News

Lecture Opportunity (Tucson)
Dr. Bruce Anderson, Pima County Forensic Anthropologist will give the monthly AAHS lecture at DuVal Auditorium, in the University Medical Center at 7:30 pm. His topic is “The Interplay Between Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology in Interpreting Human Skeletal Remains”. Free and open to the public. http://www.az-arch-and-hist.org/2011/03/bruce-anderson-title-to-be-announced/

Dr. David Gill Honored by the AIA for Worldwide Efforts in Archaeological Preservation
Valuable archaeological sites are being “decimated” to service a full-scale industry in selling human history, according to the man dubbed “Indiana Jones in reverse”. Swansea University archaeologist Dr David Gill said many fortune hunters are abandoning all care in recovering artefacts and resorting instead to means, like mechanical diggers, that produce quick results. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/06/18/indiana-jones-in-reverse-wins-archaeology-oscar-91466-28898055/

New Publication Examines the Role of Archaeology in Mexico
Mexican archaeology has grown out of the country’s desire to uncover the cultural wealth of Mesoamerica, one of the world’s six great cradles of civilization, archaeologist Eduardo Matos said. “In Mexico, we have an enormous archaeological tradition that dates back to the interest that existed in the pre-Columbian world to learn about earlier cultures,” the specialist, who has headed the Templo Mayor Project in this capital since 1978, said in an interview.  http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=399901&CategoryId=13003