Of Drones, Petroglyphs, and Conferences

Drone Footage “Finds” Remarkable “Unseen” Petroglyphs in Utah
Some drones have a undesirable popularity for snooping on folks and facilitating functions of war. But unmanned aircraft can be utilized to give authorities a new watch of inaccessible and remote places to uncover lost treasures. An amazing selection of 20 petroglyphs has been exposed by a drone flight in southern Utah. http://bit.ly/1gD6KJn – USA News

“Unseen Petroglyphs” Fully Documented
While the archeologist interviewed for our story did not immediately recognize the petroglyph panel, one of our viewers did. Jonathan Bailey is an avid hiker and photographer who says he and others have visited the petroglyph panel many times and provided photos as well. He says his photos were taken long before the panel was captured on video by a drone, dispelling the idea that the petroglyphs are a new discovery. Bailey maintains a website of his photos and adventures, which is well worth checking out. http://bit.ly/1gD9Pcm – Fox News 13

Expand Your Archaeological Horizons at This Year’s Arizona Archaeology Expo
March brings the annual Archaeology Expo (opens as a PDF), which offers special tours and educational opportunities for archaeology buffs young and old. We’re so pleased that this year’s Expo will be held right in our own backyard, at Catalina State Park, on Saturday, March 29th. Located in Oro Valley, just north of Tucson, Catalina State Park is an ideal place to see beautiful scenery, desert wildlife (including the recently reintroduced—and lately beleaguered—desert bighorn sheep, if you’re lucky), and amazing archaeology. There will be plenty of activities, including rabbit-stick throwing, atlatl throwing, corn grinding, flint knapping, and pottery making—to name just a few. There will be booths providing information and materials focused on archaeological research in the state, including information on volunteer and career opportunities. http://bit.ly/1dbIZax – Archaeology Southwest

Preliminary Schedule Announced for the Arizona Historic Preservation Conference
Dear Friends of Historic Preservation:  If you would like to find a good synopsis of the sessions currently planned for the 2014 Arizona Historic Preservation Conference, please see the information provided below.  If you click on “Updated Session List,” you will get a concise listing of, and abstract for, each proposed session — there are a lot of different sessions being offered that are of interest to many different folks! http://bit.ly/1kz4uau – Arizona Historic Preservation Conference

Website for 2014 Pecos Conference Launched
The Pecos Conference 2014 website is now active. It currently includes information on conference location and dates, and information about the Cordell Prize Competition. The Cordell Prize will be awarded for the best extemporaneous talk presented at the 2014 Pecos Conference by an archaeologist 35 years of age or younger. To find the Cordell Prize information, go to the “Special Events” link under the “Schedule” tab. Additional information about the 2014 Pecos Conference will be added to the website as it becomes available. http://bit.ly/1maGE7O

More Information on the Planned Excavation of “Atari” Landfill
At SXSW, a team of filmmakers said they’re ready to start shoveling garbage out of a New Mexico landfill in the hunt for millions of units of the buried treasure. Their film will document the whole tragic story. http://cnet.co/1iSHuBr – CNET

Tree Removal to Temporarily Close Gila Cliff Dwellings
Hazard tree removal is tentatively planned at the trailhead to Gila Cliff Dwellings from Wednesday, 3/19  through Friday, 3/21/2014.  Twelve cottonwood trees that pose a threat to visitor safety and visitor facilities will be removed.  In order to provide for visitor safety during this project, temporary closures of the cliff dwellings are likely on those days.  Parking near the trailhead to the cliff dwellings will also be limited.  The Gila Visitor Center will remain open from 8 am to 4:30 pm daily.

Celebrate the Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance’s First Birthday
SCCA invites you to celebrate their First Birthday on Saturday, April 5, from 3:00 – 6:00, at the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center, 23390 Road K, Cortez.  The celebration will include snacks and beverages, a silent auction including guided tours, southwest art, and vacation packages. In addition, Dr. John Kessell presents Miera y Pacheco: A Renaissance Spaniard in Eighteenth Century New Mexico. For more information or to RSVP: 560-1643 or info@swcocanyons.org. SCCA is dedicated to Canyons of the Ancients National Monument and the Anasazi Heritage Center.

Correction: Cave Creek Archaeology Expo Rescheduled for March 22nd
Desert Foothills Chapter and Cave Creek Museum cosponsor the 5th annual Spur Cross Archaeology Expo on March 22. The Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area event in Cave Creek is open from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm enabling the public to learn about the area’s archaeology through hikes, booths, gold panning, and other live demonstrations. $3 park entry fee, excluding children under 16 and those with Maricopa County Park or Spur Cross passes. Hike, display booths and speakers are scheduled throughout the day. Spur Cross Conservation Area is 4 ½ miles north of Cave Creek’s main downtown district from Cave Creek Road, turn North on to Spur Cross Road.

Reminder: Early Agriculture in the Southwest on Tap for Archaeology Southwest’s Phoenix Archaeology Café
On March 18, 2014, 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.

Lecture Opportunity – Camp Verde
Don Keller will present Glimpses of Big Island Hawaii Archaeology at the next archaeology lecture sponsored by the Verde Valley Archaeology Center on Tuesday, March 18, at 7:00 pm in the Sedona Creative Life Center, 333 Schnebly Hill Road. Contact: Ken Zoll, Executive Director, Verde Valley Archaeology Center, 385 S. Main St.Camp Verde, AZ 86322. 928-567-0066 director@verdevalleyarchaeology.org

Lecture Opportunity – Cortez
The Hisatsinom Chapter of the Colorado Archaeology Society is pleased to present Fred Blackburn on Tuesday, April first at 7:00 PM at the Methodist Church, 515 Park Street, Cortez, CO to discuss Prayer Rock: In the Shadow of the Bear. Blackburn’s presentation will focus his recent research on the archaeology of the Prayer Rock area. Contact Kari Schleher at 505-269-4475 with questions.

Lecture Opportunity – Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument
On Tuesday April 1^st at 7:00 pm, Dr. Michael Bletzer, will present “Nothing Is Secure”: Apache-Spanish warfare and the demise of the Tompiro and Piro Provinces, 1650-1680. Dr. Bletzer, who has been conducting research in the Piro area since 1999, is an Archaeologist with Four Corners Research, and a Research Associate with Jornada Research Institute (http://bit.ly/1kz1Q4t). This free interpretive presentation will be held at the Mountain Arts on Broadway building, 122 E. Broadway, in Mountainair, NM. For more information, please visit http://1.usa.gov/1odghgf, or call (505) 847-2585.

Lecture Opportunity – Santa Fe
Southwest Seminars Presents Dr. David Kilby who will present Ice Age Time Capsules: Clovis Caches and Pleistocene Problems on March 24 at 6pm at Hotel Santa Fe in the Ancient Sites Ancient Stories II Lecture Series held annually to honor the work of The Archaeological Conservancy. 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: southwest seminar@aol.com website: http://bit.ly/YhJddr

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.