Phil Weigand Passes

Phil Weigand Passes
The archaeological community in the United States and Mexico is mourning the death of Phil Weigand, whose research and preservation efforts at Guachimontones remain important contributions to the archaeology of the Americas.  Dr. Weigand passed away Saturday morning. http://impreso.milenio.com/node/9020534 (This post is in Spanish.)

New Mexico Archaeological Council 2011 Fall Conference Announced
The Fall Conference, titled “Pre-Ceramic Hunters, Foragers, and Early Farmers in New Mexico,” is scheduled for the twelfth of November at the Hibben Center on the University of New Mexico Campus. The 2011 NMAC Fall Conference provides a timely opportunity to share new discoveries of our state’s pre-ceramic past, and invite questions and discussions by conference participants. Presentations at the conference will include both PowerPoint and poster formats. http://www.nmacweb.org/My_Homepage_Files/Page15.html

A Little-known Rock Art Site Illuminates Ancient  and Historic Life in the San Juan Basin
Ten miles west of Farmington, visible from U.S. 64, is a little-known treasure trove of prehistoric artwork. Carved into the sandstone cliff are hundreds of ancient petroglyphs depicting early life in San Juan County. Herds of deer, goats. and running horses can be seen galloping across the sandstone walls, and enigmatic symbols and stylized human figures tell a story of ancient life.
http://www.daily-times.com/farmington-news/ci_18823980?source=rss

Historical Documents in Texas Archive Threatened by Neglect
Key documents that shed light on historic periods in the birth and growth of Texas face an uncertain future due to poor preservation practices and limited resources in court record archives across the state, according to a report released this week by a task force charged with reviewing the situation by the Supreme Court of Texas. http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/humble/news/texas-history-crumbling-task-force-says-key-documents-in-peril/article_135fc3d1-2219-54f5-a41a-c6f0fe0e18b1.html

Santa Fe Trail Living History Encampment Program Scheduled for Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site
The main living history event for the year at Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site in Colorado again takes place this fall (September 17-18, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.). This year’s will include historic interpretations of Santa Fe Trail traders, U.S. Army soldiers, and Plains Indians.  Experience the hey-day of the trail through ongoing demonstrations. Camps, set up near the fort, will be open for touring. One featured camp will be a Plains Indian Camp with full accoutrements and presentations by Native American interpreter Michael “Bad Hand” Terry. All together, over 50 living history volunteers bring the post back to life during this major event.  http://www.nps.gov/beol/planyourvisit/events.htm

Reminder – Randall McGuire Starts off the Center for Desert Archaeology Cafe Program on Tuesday, Sept. 6th
The Center for Desert Archaeology and Casa Vicente invite all to the fourth season of Archaeology Café, a casual, happy hour-style discussion forum dedicated to promoting community engagement with cultural and scientific research.  Dr. McGuire will present “Feathered Serpents and Pole-Climbing Clowns,” which should generate an inspired conversation about ties between Mesoamerica and the ancient southwest. Come settle in with a drink and a plate of delicious tapas at downtown Tucson’s own Casa Vicente. We meet the first Tuesday of each month from September through May at 6:00 p.m.; presentations begin at 6:15 p.m. Seating is open on a first-come, first-served basis—be ready to make new acquaintances! https://www.archaeologysouthwest.org/2011/08/09/feathered-serpents-and-pole-climbing-clowns/

Hiking Opportunity (Grants, NM)
On Saturday, September 24th, 2011, enjoy a Ranger-led 4.5 hour Hike titled “Equinox and High Noon at the Petroglyphs” The hike will explore the BLM El Malpais National Conservation Area. Join us as we rediscover a high noon sun marker at the renowned Aldridge Petroglyphs on a rich 4+ mile off-trail hike changing 1200+ vertical feet.  Meet at the BLM Ranger Station on SR 117 – 9 miles south of I-40 exit 89. For more information contact Paul Yoder at 505.280.2918 or by email at PYoder@BLM.gov

Training Opportunity (Phoenix)
The National Preservation Institute, a nonprofit organization founded in 1980, educates those involved in the management, preservation, and stewardship of our cultural heritage. NPI is offering a training program on cemetery preservation on October 25-26, 2011 and a workshop on cemetery landscape maintaince on Oct 27. http://www.npi.org

Lecture Opportunity (Cave Creek, AZ)
The Desert Foothills Chapter (DFC) of the Arizona Archaeological Society will host a free talk by historian Tom R. Kennedy on the history of the Zuni pueblo from the perspective of ancestral Hawikku on Wednesday, September 14 at 7 p.m. in the Community Building of The Good Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church, 6502 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, Arizona. The title of the talk is, Hawikku: Turning the Zuni World.”  http://www.sonorannews.com/archives/2011/110831/communitynews.html

Lecture Opportunity (Pueblo, CO)
Two of the Southwest’s most impressive Native American sites are separated by 85 miles and 100 years between the times they flourished, but Colorado’s new state archaeologist says he believes they are more closely related than once thought. Richard Wilshusen will speak Thursday to the Pueblo Archaeological and Historical Society on “The Beginnings of Chaco and Mesa Verde: More Tangled Up with One Another than One Might Think.” The talk will be at 7 p.m. at the Southeastern Colorado Heritage Center, 201 W. B St. Admission is free. http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/state-archaeologist-to-speak/article_8a9e41ac-d1f3-11e0-b49c-001cc4c03286.html

Lecture Opportunity (Irvine, CA)
The Pacific Coast Archaeological Society’s September 8 meeting will feature Elizabeth Sutton speaking on “Perforated Stones from the Santa Barbara Channel Region.” Meeting information: Thursday, September 8, 7:30 pm at the Irvine Ranch Water District, 15600 Sand Canyon Avenue, Irvine, CA. Lecture is free and open to the public. For more information: http://ww.pcas.org.

Thanks to Carrie Gregory for contributing to this week’s issue of Southwest Archaeology Today.