Was Beringia a Refuge for Ice Age Peoples?

Was Beringia a Refuge for Ice Age Peoples?
Genetic and environmental evidence indicates that after the ancestors of Native Americans left Asia, they spent 10,000 years in shrubby lowlands on a broad land bridge that once linked Siberia and Alaska. Archaeological evidence is lacking because it drowned beneath the Bering Sea when sea levels rose. University of Utah anthropologist Dennis O’Rourke and two colleagues make that argument in the Friday, Feb. 28, issue of the journal Science. http://bit.ly/1oi3pDB – Heritage Daily

Modeling Ancient Economies and Climates in the Northern Southwest
The Village Ecodynamics Project aims to solve a longstanding mystery in the prehistory of the American Southwest. Kohler refers to this puzzle as “the elephant in the room.” Ancient Puebloan peoples, also known as the Anasazi, occupied the present-day Four Corners region (where Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico meet) for hundreds of years. They cultivated corn and lived in large settlements, most famously at Mesa Verde, now a U.S. National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site. http://bit.ly/1ddwkXM – Scientific American

Utah Department of Transportation Archaeology Documents 2,000 Years near the Arizona Strip
Recent archaeological investigations at the Tonaquint site, resulting from construction of the new Dixie Drive Interchange, reveal that the place had been occupied sporadically and sometimes intensively over the past 2,000 years. Upon initial inspection of the area, it was assumed that the site’s information potential was extremely limited. Most of the site had been removed during the construction of I-15 in the late 1960s. http://bit.ly/1hyYLAO – The Spectrum

Arizona State Parks Director Visits Camp Naco
Two state officials capped a two-month long series of visits to historic sites across Arizona with a tour of Camp Naco this week, using the opportunity to listen to supporters’ future plans for the camp and offering some advice of their own. “I’m here to hear what you have to say and to take your message to the legislature,” said Arizona State Parks Director Bryan Martyn. http://bit.ly/1gLYFTO – Sierra Vista Herald

Early Agriculture in the Southwest on Tap for the Next Phoenix Archaeology Café
Jim Vint explains what new discoveries from the Santa Cruz River valley are revealing about early agriculture in the southern Southwest. Archaeology Café begins at 6 p.m. in the Aztec Room of Macayo’s Central, 4001 N. Central Ave. Seating is open and unreserved, but limited. It is best to arrive half an hour before the presentation begins. We encourage guests to share tables and make new friends at this free event. Please support our hosts at Macayo’s Central (near the Indian School light rail stop) by purchasing refreshments from the menu—at happy hour prices!

New Resource for Geo-Spatial Archaeological Research
A new program is acting as a national hub for geospatial research and addressing a critical need in archaeology research. The University of Arkansas’ Center for Advanced Spatial Technologies and Archaeo-Imaging Laboratory launched the program, SPatial Archaeometry Research Collaborations, known by the acronym SPARC, last fall as the result of a $250,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. http://bit.ly/1hV70ph – Newswise

Lecture Opportunity – Cave Creek
Todd W. Bostwick presents a lecture on Native American Salt Procurement, Use, and Rituals in the American Southwest. This presentation discusses several examples of Native American salt procurement sites in Arizona, New Mexico, and southern Nevada. The AAS-Desert Foothill Chapter meeting is March 12th and the general public may attend no cost. Reshments are available at 7:00 PM with the meeting begining at 7:30 PM, usually ending at 9:00 PM. Meetings are held in the community room (Maitland Hall) at The Good Shepard of the Hills Episcopal Church, 6502 East Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, AZ 85331 (near the Dairy Queen). http://bit.ly/1aYMEY2 – AAS Cave Creek

Lecture Opportunity – Coolidge
On Wednesday, March 12th, at noon, Dr. Chris Lorendorf will present Hohokam to Akimel O’odham Continuum.  Dr. Lorendorf will examine the relationship between the prehistoric (Hohokam) and  Historic peoples (Akimel O’odham or Pima).  The lectures will take place at the Casa Grande Ruins visitor center located at 1100 W. Ruins Drive, Coolidge, AZ.  For more information, please visit http://1.usa.gov/1dfEizf, or call (520) 723-3172.

Lecture Opportunity – Tucson
At 6 p.m. Thursday March 20, Rick Karl of the Arizona State Museum presents “How Many Archaeological Sites are There in Arizona?” at Old Pueblo Archaeology Center’s “Third Thursday Food for Thought” dinner at Golden Corral Restaurant, 4380 E. 22nd St., Tucson. Rick manages the AZSITE cultural resources database that records thousands of Arizona archaeological sites. He will discuss AZSITE and its uses, and tell how many Arizona archaeological sites have been recorded. Seating is limited to comply with the Fire Code so to attend you must call 520-798-1201 and have your reservation confirmed before 5 p.m. Wednesday March 19.

Lecture Opportunity – Santa Fe
Southwest Seminars Presents Ricardo Cate’ , Artist, Humorist, Filmmaker, Stand-up comic, Father and Keeper of Kewa Heritage, Radio Personality and Cartoonist who will give a talk Living Life to the Fullest With Native Humor on March 10 at 6pm at Hotel Santa Fe in the Ancient Sites Ancient Stories I Lecture Series held to honor and acknowledge the work of The Office of Archaeological Studies, Museum of New Mexico. No reservations are necessary and refreshments are served. Seating is limited. Admission is by subscription or $12 at the door. Contact Connie Eichstaedt at tel: 505 466-2775 email southwestseminar@aol.com http://bit.ly/YhJddr

Lecture Opportunity – Springerville
Preservation Archaeologist and Digital Media Specialist Doug Gann will present “Exploring Chaco’s Legacy” at the Casa Malpais Museum as part of a month-long celebration of Arizona archaeology and heritage. Gann will share a chronological virtual reality tour of Chaco Canyon and the Salmon and Aztec Pueblos in the centuries between A.D. 800 and 1150. The talk will take place from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2014, at the Casa Malpais Museum within the Springerville Heritage Center, 418 Main Street.

Reminder: Mimbres Lives and Houses is the Topic of the Next Tucson Archaeology Café
On March 4, 2014, Dr. Peggy Nelson (ASU) will speak about The Lives of People and Houses—Mimbres and Beyond. We gather after 5:00 p.m., and presentations begin by 6:15 p.m. Seating is open and unreserved, but limited. Share tables and make new friends! The event is free. Please support our hosts at Casa Vicente (375 S. Stone Avenue) by ordering refreshments from the menu.