A View of American Politics from the Perspective of Southwestern Archaeology

A View of American Politics from the Perspective of Southwestern Archaeology
Inequality. Economic recession. Wage stagnation. These are the buzzwords of the populist uprisings on both the left and the right during this 2016 election season. Although they’re running strikingly different campaigns, Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump are both capitalizing on anger with the so-called “elites” in the United States – and promising revolutions should they get elected (and predicting riots should Trump be denied). Obviously this form of populist uprising isn’t new, but could it be something common to all societies at one point or another, or even predictable? Recently, we’ve been looking at revolutions in the prehistory of the southwestern U.S. – in particular, the history of the Pueblo people. In our recently published Science Advances paper, along with our colleagues Keith Kintigh and Jonathan Rush, we identified four points in Pueblo history between A.D. 500 and 1400 when such revolutions likely occurred. http://bit.ly/1Nj65y1 – Kyle Bocinsky and Tim Kohler via The Conversation

National Monuments Create Significant Economic Benefits
The national monuments that President Obama has created or expanded are generating more than $156 million in local economic activity annually, according to a study published Wednesday. The report, which was conducted by Colorado-based BBC Research and Consulting on behalf of an organization representing small businesses, looked at the economic activity of out-of-town visitors traveling at least 60 miles to their destinations. It found that the impact to the local workforce of such non-local visitor spending is equivalent to supporting 1,820 jobs. “Too often, we only view land as valuable when it is being developed, mined, drilled or logged,” U.S. Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) said in a statement. “But, as this report shows, we can protect the most magnificent areas of our nation while also providing real opportunities for local economies.” http://bit.ly/1S45AvW – Climate Progress

Economic Impact of New National Monuments – A Report from Small Business Majority
The Antiquities Act of 1906 authorizes protection of public lands through national monument designation. At the time this report was written, President Obama had designated 17 new national monuments and two monument expansions. This preservation of public lands benefits local economies and small businesses as they attract visitors to these often-rural areas. Monument visitors spend money on entrance fees, lodging, meals, and other retail items from local businesses during their trip—providing an economic boost to local communities. These economic benefits to rural communities are an important component when considering the total value of public land protection. http://bit.ly/1VhcjpK – Small Business Majority

Ninth Circuit Court Rules in Favor of Navajo Nation Suit over Canyon de Chelly Burials
On Wednesday, April 6, 2106, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued an opinion in favor of the Navajo Nation against the U.S. Department of the Interior concerning the removal of over 300 human remains from Canyon de Chelly. The Ninth Circuit Court reversed the dismissal of the Navajo Nation’s case, ruling that the National Park Service’s letter to the Navajo Nation refusing to return the remains was “final agency action” and therefore the United States waived its sovereign immunity under the Administrative Procedure’s Act. This case arises from Canyon de Chelly, a National Monument managed by the National Park Service, and located on the Navajo Nation. http://bit.ly/22mXh11 – Native News Online

Friends of Cedar Mesa Report Extensive Vandalism by ATV Drivers
Most days at Friends of Cedar Mesa, our motivation comes the internationally significant landscapes we work to protect. The beauty of the scenery, the depth of the history, and the people we work with provide plenty of “juice” for us to keep working hard. Some days, however, motivation comes from a different place – anger, frustration, and disbelief at the behavior of irresponsible people who act like the land is “theirs” not “ours.” In 2014, FCM organized a trail project, rerouting the hiking trail to avoid a sensitive archaeological site – through which ATVers drove this weekend. Over the weekend, a FCM board member reported extensive new damage from off-trail ATV abuse in the Lower Fish Creek area. You might recall this is where FCM organized a hiking trail rerouting project to protect a Pueblo I archaeological site (rare for Cedar Mesa). http://bit.ly/20ta5Ue – Friends of Cedar Mesa

Video Link: The Friends of Cedar Mesa Provide Some Tips on Teaching Kids Respect for Ancient Cultural Sites
Although they aren’t playgrounds, archaeological sites can be great places for families to enjoy together, learning about our past and gaining inspiration for the future. https://vimeo.com/159289894  – Friends of Cedar Mesa via Vimeo

Historic Archaeology in the West
When one thinks or hears about Archaeology visions of Roman Temples or Pyramids might come to mind. Others might think about Early Americans hunting Mammoth or Puebloan people building cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde. But a vital branch of the field, Historic Archaeology, is revealing vital parts of the story of our more recent past. A huge disconnect has arisen in the material culture of the current generation and their grandparents or great grandparents. Technology and the material goods which surround us bear little resemblance to those of a few generations ago. While working on the Pinyon Canyon Archaeological Project it was common for archaeologists to consult local ranchers to identify an item found on an historic site. http://bit.ly/23uMoMW – Canon City Daily Record

Archaeology Café (Phoenix): Archaeology of the Human Experience
On April 19, 2016, Michelle Hegmon (Arizona State University) will present “Archaeology of the Human Experience.” This is a new approach that endeavors to understand what it was actually like to live in the past. It is, in part, inspired by simple but difficult questions often asked by students and visitors to our research projects: What was it like to live in this pueblo? What did people do all day? What did they eat? Wasn’t that hard/uncomfortable/smelly? We meet in the Aztec Room of Macayo’s Central, 4001 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, near the Indian School light rail stop. Presentations begin after 6:00 p.m. It is best to arrive at about 5:30 p.m. in order to get settled, as seating is open and unreserved, but limited. http://bit.ly/23mUvyA – Archaeology Southwest

Slate Reviews James Brook’s Mesa of Sorrows
…why has the tragedy at Awat’ovi echoed through the succeeding years of Hopi history, an event both unspeakable and unforgettable? These and other questions are asked by James F. Brooks, a professor of history and anthropology, in his new book Mesa of Sorrows: A History of the Awat’ovi Massacre. “The crisis at Awat’ovi,” he writes, “sculpted the very core of [the Hopis’] values, as the epic of Troy provided the rootstock for Western ideas about honor, shame and the ruinous consequences of pride.” http://slate.me/1VgbI8x – Slate

A Preservation Gem in Ruidoso NM
Saint Anne’s Chapel, located just east of the turnoff into Devil’s Canyon on U.S.Highway 70, was added to the State Register of Cultural Properties in 2002. According to John W. Murphey, the National Register Coordinator for the New Mexico Historic Preservation Division at the time, the chapel was approved based on its being the first permanent Protestant church between Alamogordo and Roswell and for its association with New Mexico architect John Gaw Meem. http://bit.ly/1NiJAJm – Ruidoso News

Phoenix City Council Acts to Help Preserve WPA Admin Building
Advocates for preserving a historic building on the Arizona State Fairgrounds are closer to stopping demolition. Officials announced Friday that the Phoenix City Council has awarded a historic preservation grant worth $120,000 to help repair the WPA Administration Building. http://bit.ly/1S44OPz – AzFamily.Com

Class Opportunity – Tucson
Join Allen Denoyer for his Hands-On Archaeology class, “How Did People Make and Use Stone Tools?” In each of these beginner classes (ages 18+), you will use ancient techniques and replica tools to create a stone projectile point. You will also learn more about how people made and used such points, and that points were just one component of a complete hunting technology. Two dates are offered: April 15 and 30, 9:00 to noon, $40. http://bit.ly/1VKAFHv – Archaeology Southwest

Lecture Opportunity – Santa Fe
Southwest Seminars Presents Dr. Timothy Maxwell, Archaeologist and Director Emeritus, New Mexico Office of Archaeological Studies, Museum of New Mexico. Office of Cultural Affairs and President, Santa Fe Archaeological Society who will give a lecture The Lower Rio Chama Valley: Its Unique Prehistoric Farming Techniques on April 18 at 6pm at Hotel Santa Fe as part of the annual Ancient Sites Ancient Stories II Lecture Series held to acknowledge the work of The Archaeological Conservancy. Admission is by subscription $12 at the door. No reservations are necessary. Refreshments are served. Seating is limited. Contact Connie Eichstaedt at tel: 505 466-2775; email:southwestseminar@aol.com. http://bit.ly/YhJddr – Southwest Seminars