A Look at the Attack on the Antiquities Act

A Look at the Attack on the Antiquities Act
Some in congress want to change a bill that allows presidents to designate national monuments. Should we care? Some in congress want to change a bill that allows presidents to designate national monuments. Should we care? Recently, U.S. Representative Rob Bishop celebrated a victory. He managed to push bill HR 1459, the Ensuring Public Involvement in the Creation of National Monuments Act, through the House. Its aim is to weaken the President’s ability to designate public lands as national monuments, an authority assigned under the Antiquities Act of 1906. http://bit.ly/Qphaqt – Outside Magazine

The Clovis-First Debate Continues
“Scientifically, there had to be somebody here earlier than the Clovis people,” said Crawford, director of the Blackwater Draw Historical Landmark, where Clovis Man was discovered in the late 1920s. “There’s been hints and clues of people before Clovis. But it’s like trying a court case. Nobody’s been able to get a conviction.” http://bit.ly/1mrWxY8 – Clovis News Journal

Looking at Archaeological and Genetic Evidence to Study Plant Domestication
Suddenly there was a word for chili peppers. Information about archaeological remains of ancient chili peppers in Mexico along with a study of the appearance of words for chili peppers in ancient dialects helped researchers to understand where jalapeños were domesticated and highlight the value of multi-proxy data analysis. Their results are from one (Kraig Kraft et al.) of nine papers presented in a special feature issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on plant and animal domestication edited by Dolores Piperno, staff scientist emerita at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and Curator of South American Archaeology at the National Museum of Natural History and Greger Larson of Durham University in England. http://bit.ly/1iC1yKs – Phys.org

Hugh Hawthorne Named Superintendent at Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
Hugh Hawthorne, a 15-year veteran of the National Park Service (NPS), has been named superintendent of Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument in New Mexico, announced Intermountain Regional Director Sue Masica. Hawthorne will assume his new responsibilities on Sunday, April 20. http://bit.ly/1jpXH0Q – Headlight Deming News

Lecture Opportunity – Cortez
As part of the Four Corners Lecture Series, the Hisatsinom Chapter of the Colorado Archaeology Society is pleased to present Dr. Susan Ryan on Tuesday, May 6, at 7:00 PM at the Methodist Church, 515 Park Street, Cortez, CO to discuss New Approaches to Architectural Analyses: Ancestral Pueblo Kiva Production in the Northern Southwest. Ryan summarizes analyses of PII and PIII ancestral Pueblo kivas in the San Juan region to shed light on production practices. Her research examines kivas to address how architecture emphasized the ways in which features were actively mediated to create and maintain social structure, social identity, and community integration. Contact Kari Schleher at 505-269-4475 with questions.

Book-Signing Opportunity – Dragoon, AZ
Join Dr. John Ware at the Amerind Museum on Saturday, May 3, for the public unveiling of his new book A Pueblo Social History: Kinship, Sodality and Community in the Northern Southwest, pulished by SAR Press.There will be a short program and book signing. This event will likely be Dr. Ware’s last public program at the Amerind Museum prior to his retirement as Executive Director. http://bit.ly/1mpDOdk

Lecture Opportunity – Santa Fe
Southwest Seminars Presents Matt Barbour, Archaeologist and Research Associate, New Mexico Office of Archaeological Studies and Site Manager, Jemez Historic Sties, New Mexico Monuments, Office of Cultural Affairs who will give a lecture History of the Jemez Province on April 21 at 6pm at Hotel Santa Fe as part of the annual Ancient Sites Ancient Stories II Lecture Series held annually to honor and acknowledge the work of The Archaeological Conservancy. No reservations are necessary. Seating is limited. Admission is by subscription or $12 at the door. Please contact Connie Eichstaedt, Director at tel: 505 466-2775; email: southwest seminar@aol.com; website: http://bit.ly/YhJddr

Lecture Opportunity – Santa Fe
Southwest Seminars Presents Dr. Marcel Kornfeld, Professor of Archaeology, Department of Anthropology, University of Wyoming and Editor, Plains Anthropologist and Associate Editor, Reviews in Anthropology who will give a lecture Mountains, Plains, and Foothills: Paleoindian Occupations and Human Adaptations on April 28 at 6pm at Hotel Santa Fe as part of the annual Ancient Sites Ancient Stories II Lecture Series held annually to honor and acknowledge the work of The Archaeological Conservancy. No reservations are necessary. Seating is limited. Admission is by subscription or $12 at the door. Please contact Connie Eichstaedt, Director at tel: 505 466-2775; email: southwest seminar@aol.com; website: http://bit.ly/YhJddr