The Center for Desert Archaeology is Now Archaeology Southwest

Editor’s Note
The Center for Desert Archaeology is now Archaeology Southwest. We’ve changed our name, but not the important work we do. Southwest Archaeology Today continues to bring you the latest news in regional archaeology every Monday morning. Let us know what you think of our fresh look!

The Center for Desert Archaeology is Now Archaeology Southwest
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 non-profit 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. https://www.archaeologysouthwest.org/2012/01/09/center-for-desert-archaeology-is-now-archaeology-southwest-3/

The Archaeological Conservancy to Protect Ancient Puebloan Village 
A valuable prehistoric site near Beulah will likely be protected from development, according to archaeologist Chaz Evans, who grew up in the area and did much of the recent research on the location. Evans said Tuesday that he had received an email from the Archaeological Conservancy, based in Albuquerque, N.M., that the group would close on a purchase of the 5-acre parcel Thursday.  http://tinyurl.com/7zswurm – The Pueblo Chieftan

New Reality Television Program’s Premise is Based Upon Archaeological Looting 
A reality TV show set to film in St. Augustine soon is already raising some concern within the city limits. A casting producer for a 13-episode series tentatively titled “The Recovery Project” is to fly here Sunday to find property on which to dig for clues to the past. Desiree Mandelbaum says the digs are essentially treasure hunting, a search for objects like bullets or buttons that will tell a story of the past. Archaeological looting should not be the focus of a reality TV program. http://tinyurl.com/6mb3v8j – St. Augustine Record

Call for Papers – 2012 Pueblo Indian Studies Symposium
On October 25–26, 2012 the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, the School for Advanced Research, and the Leadership Institute at the Santa Fe Indian School will host a Pueblo Indian Studies Symposium in honor of Joe Sando at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Sando, a noted historian, was deeply committed to the study of Pueblo Nations and cultures and inspired many to pursue research and writing projects on the Pueblos. Through this symposium, Joe Sando’s legacy will be honored by highlighting current research in the field of Pueblo Indian studies. Individuals are invited to submit proposals or abstracts of presentations to be given at the symposium on topics focused on Pueblo subject matter. Proposals will generally be of papers but may include other creative expression such as poetry. Submissions are welcome from community members, students, faculty, independent researchers, and professionals working in the field.   The deadline for submission is April 1, 2012. Email document to iarc@sarsf.org or mail to SAR-IARC, Pueblo Studies Symposium, P.O. Box 2188, Santa Fe, NM 87504. Any questions can be directed to iarc@sarsf.org or 505-954-7205. Further details regarding the symposium will be posted at www.indianpueblo.org in spring 2012.

Curator at El Paso Museum of Archaeology Resigns
The recently hired curator at the El Paso Museum of Archaeology has resigned, saying the city’s museums department doesn’t have high enough standards. Matt Taylor, 36, who was hired in September, resigned his post effective next Tuesday, he said. But Taylor said the city told him to clean out his desk on Thursday, making his resignation effective immediately. He said he resigned because the city’s Museums and Cultural Affairs Department has policies that “aren’t in keeping with basic professional standards with other museums I’ve worked at.”  http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_19685139?source=rss

Participation Forms for Arizona Archaeology Expo Due January 15th
Dear Friends of Historic Preservation, just a reminder that your Expo participation forms are due on 1/15. Please be aware that, for this year’s Expo, all participants will need to supply their own 10 x 10′ pop up tent, table(s), and chair(s). Please let me know if you have any questions; we look forward to your participation! https://www.archaeologysouthwest.org/sat/2012 _arch_expo_participation_form.doc

The Proposed Closure of Some Utah State Parks Raises Questions About Artifact Curation
Thirty-six years ago, several officials raised ethical questions about Navajos in San Juan County having to pay $45,000 for 860 pieces of ancient American Indian artifacts to pot hunters who had amassed the collection of pottery, tools and other relics. The collection was turned over to the Edge of the Cedars State Park museum in Blanding for safekeeping, although the Navajos, not the state, own it. Now that the museum’s existence is threatened by legislative-mandated budget cuts that could force closures of several state parks, the Navajo-owned collection could be in peril. http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/53223124-90/state-navajo-relics-museum.html.csp

Mini Course in Southwestern Archaeology Offered at CU Boulder
Stephen Lekson presents “A New History of the Ancient Southwest,” illustrated with pottery and artifacts from the collections of the CU Museum, Sunday, January 22, 9AM – 3PM ($25), University of Colorado Museum of Natural History.  Dr. Lekson is Curator of Archaeology at the Museum.  First 2012 “CU on the Weekend.” http://conted.colorado.edu/courses/program/CUW/cu-on-the-weekend/4168/cu-on-the-weekend/?department_id=84 

Mesa Verde Park to Waive Entrance Fees
Mesa Verde National Park will waive entrance fees during January and February. Once the park has received sufficient snowfall, there will be trails open for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Information about winter recreational opportunities can be found at www.nps.gov, the park entrance or by calling 529-4622 or 529-4631. In addition to the January and February fee waiver, these days also will have waived entrance fees: Jan. 14-16, April 21-29, June 9, Sept. 29, and Nov. 10-12. – From the Durango Herald

When Bad Archaeology “Goes Viral” – A Cautionary Tale for Archaeologists
This might all be fairly arcane stuff, except that an archeologist he cited, Mark Williams of the University of Georgia, took exception. In the comments section after Thornton’s piece, he wrote, “I am the archaeologist Mark Williams mentioned in this article. This is total and complete bunk. There is no evidence of Maya in Georgia. Move along now.” Immediately the story exploded. In comments on Examiner, as well as on Facebook and in emails, users piled on. One woman called Williams “completely pompous and arrogant.” A man wrote he was “completely disrespectful to the Public at large.” Another said he would urge the state of Georgia to cut off funding for Williams’ academic department at the university.
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/mayan-ruins-georgia-archeologist-objects-web-story-viral/story?id=15291662#.Twnzg29SSQk

Workshop Opportunity – Tucson
On Saturday January 14, 2012, Old Pueblo Archaeology will feature an Atlatl and Spear Making Workshop in Tucson. Archaeologist Allen Denoyer teaches how to fashion traditional atlatls and wooden spears like those utilized by ancient peoples worldwide, using natural materials. This workshop is designed to help modern people understand how prehistoric Native Americans made traditional crafts, and is not intended to train students how to make artwork for sale. Place: Old Pueblo Archaeology Center, 2201 W. 44th Street, Tucson. Time: 9 a.m. to noon. Fee: $45 ($36 for Old Pueblo Archaeology Center and Pueblo Grande Museum Auxiliary members). Reservations required. http://www.oldpueblo.org/assets/20120114Atlatl&SpearMakingWorkshop.pdf

Lecture Opportunity – Albuquerque
On January 21 Tim Kimball will present “Asking for the Inestimable Right: New Mexico’s State Government of 1850.” During spring of 1850 New Mexicans organized a state government and petitioned the US Senate for admission.  Calling the promises made by Polk and Kearny in 1846, New Mexico possessed a greater population than most previous territories granted statehood. National hurdles of slavery, anti-Catholicism, and racism doomed this first attempt at statehood in a complex drama that continued for another 62 years. This lecture is part of the New Mexico Genealogical Society’s celebration of the New Mexico centennial.   The talk will be held at 10:30 Am in Botts Hall, Albuquerque Special Collections Library, 423 Central NE, Albuquerque. http://www.nmgs.org/index.php

Lecture Opportunity – Tucson
Sharon Urban will give a free lecture discussing “The Hohokam” at the San Pedro Chapel, 5230 E. Fort Lowell, on Sunday, January 22, 2012, 3 p.m. The lecture will cover this sedentary, agricultural-based group of people who occupied the land between AD 500 to roughly AD 1450. The visual presentation will discuss housing, food, dress, mortuary practices, arts and crafts, lifeway, and the sometimes-said mysterious disappearance of the group. Urban will display artifacts and offer the opportunity to grind some corn the prehistoric way. Sharon Urban worked for the Arizona State Museum in various capacities, retiring after 32 years as the public archaeologist.

Lecture Opportunity – Irvine
The Pacific Coast Archaeological Society’s January 12th meeting will feature Bernie Jones speaking on “Orange County’s Sculpted Rocks: The SantiagoPetroglyph Style.” Meeting information: Thursday, January 12, 7:30 pm at the Irvine Ranch Water District, 15600 Sand Canyon, Irvine, CA (see directions at www.pcas.org). Lecture is free and open to the public. For information: http://www.pcas.org.