Center for Desert Archaeology Is Now Archaeology Southwest

Tucson-based Nonprofit Explores and Protects Region’s Ancient Places

Tucson, Ariz. (January 3, 2012)—The Center for Desert Archaeology is pleased to announce that it has changed its name to Archaeology Southwest. Known to archaeology enthusiasts and professionals for its flagship quarterly, Archaeology Southwest Magazine, the Tucson-based nonprofit organization has spent thirty years exploring and protecting the Southwest’s ancient places. The name change is part of a comprehensive initiative that strongly communicates the organization’s critical role in protecting endangered archaeological sites and its respected position as a research institution committed to public outreach.

“This acknowledges three decades of hard work,” affirms Bill Doelle, Archaeology Southwest’s founder, President, and CEO. “Becoming Archaeology Southwest builds on the name recognition of our award-winning magazine. More importantly, our name reflects who we are, what we do, and where we’re headed.”

Deputy Director Linda Pierce agrees that a healthy nonprofit must continually ensure that its voice is relevant and inspiring. “Our new name and logo and the fresh look and feel of our website and publications clearly convey our holistic, innovative, and successful approach to exploring and protecting the places of the past across the Southwest,” says Pierce. “Our passion and effectiveness are apparent in ways that will engage new supporters and further our reach among those who share our desire to know more about past life in this remarkable place.”

Archaeology Southwest works with diverse stakeholders to raise awareness of the value and meaning of the region’s incomparable—and increasingly endangered—archaeological sites. “Decades of explosive growth have impacted these nonrenewable resources,” asserts Field Representative Andy Laurenzi. Laurenzi manages Archaeology Southwest’s site protection program, which incorporates advocacy initiatives, site monitoring, conservation easements, and direct ownership of sites.

This active site protection program is one element of an integrated three-part strategy Archaeology Southwest calls “Preservation Archaeology.” The second element involves conducting low-impact archaeological investigations that are of interest to professional archaeologists and the public. The third element is making current research in southwestern archaeology accessible to all through media such as Archaeology Southwest Magazine and Virtual Southwest, an interactive digital time machine that situates viewers in recreations of ancient places. “Providing people with this new opportunity to experience places that tell the story of the Southwest’s past is an ideal way to engage their commitment to protecting these places and others like them,” says Doug Gann, Virtual Southwest’s creator.

Doelle confirms that the decision to debut Archaeology Southwest’s crisp yet inclusive new identity in tandem with a preview of the ground-breaking Virtual Southwest was deliberate. “As it evolves, Virtual Southwest will reinforce our robust identity in connecting more people with our ongoing research and protection initiatives in powerful ways, growing support for our work and completing the circle,” he explains. “It’s just one of many ways Archaeology Southwest is making a difference in both the public and professional realms. By looking forward and acting now, we are achieving protections and creating meaningful connections between people and history that will benefit generations to come.”

To learn more about Archaeology Southwest’s projects and programs, visit www.archaeologysouthwest.org. To preview Virtual Southwest, visit www.archaeologysouthwest.org/vsw.

ABOUT ARCHAEOLOGY SOUTHWEST
Archaeology Southwest is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Tucson, Arizona, that explores and protects the places of our past across the American Southwest and Mexican Northwest. For three decades, Archaeology Southwest has practiced a holistic, conservation-based approach known as Preservation Archaeology. By conducting low-impact investigations of big-picture questions, sharing findings with the public, and developing powerful site protection strategies, Archaeology Southwest creates meaningful connections to the past and respectfully protects its increasingly endangered resources. Learn more at www.archaeologysouthwest.org.

ABOUT ARCHAEOLOGY SOUTHWEST’S VIRTUAL SOUTHWEST
Virtual Southwest is an interactive online museum being developed by Archaeology Southwest, a private nonprofit organization that explores and protects the places of our past across the American Southwest and Mexican Northwest. This digital time machine situates viewers in recreations of ancient places, where they can experience the sights and sounds of the past as never before and learn more about the meaning and value of the Southwest’s archaeological sites. Ongoing Archaeology Southwest research projects form the core of Virtual Southwest. Visit a preview of Virtual Southwest as it evolves here.

ABOUT ARCHAEOLOGY SOUTHWEST’S SITE PROTECTION PROGRAM
Archaeology Southwest views the region’s archaeological sites and historical landscapes as nonrenewable resources. In collaboration with diverse partners, the Tucson-based private nonprofit organization advocates for these increasingly endangered places. A powerful conservation toolkit helps Archaeology Southwest protect places on the land and develop case-specific long-term solutions. Protecting places also means being prepared when opportunities arise. As such, Archaeology Southwest organizes priority planning workshops for a broad range of stakeholders in which information is collected and evaluated and protection strategies are devised. Archaeology Southwest currently protects twelve properties through ownership or the holding of a conservation easement. Learn more here.