Fire Adds Richness to the Land

Fire Adds Richness to the Land
The Jemez Mountains are “the poster child” of wildfire problems in the Southwestern U.S. Residents recall too well the evacuations of Los Alamos during the 2000 Cerro Grande and 2011 Las Conchas Fires. They also recall the enormous plumes of smoke rising over our mountains, the loss of hundreds of homes, and the burned-out forest landscapes that are now slowly recovering. The long-term history of the Jemez, however, includes a rich interplay of humans, forests and fires spanning many centuries. Despite what we have witnessed in recent decades, for the most part, the long-term history is one of co-existence — of people and fire living together, sustainably. http://bit.ly/2okwlSy – Jemez Post

The School for Advanced Research Presents Steve Lekson on What Ifs: Santa Fe and Southwestern Archaeology
For over a century, individuals and institutions of Santa Fe played decisive roles in the development of Southwestern archaeology – certainly for better but, in some ways, perhaps for worse. We trace the remarkable influences of Santa Fe’s archaeologists, museums, and world-views on the practice of Southwestern archaeology and on our perceptions of the ancient past. In this entertaining talk, archaeologist Stephen Lekson asks some “what ifs?” What if: Instead of Santa Fe, Southwestern archaeology centered in Tucson? Or developed out of Ciudad Chihuahua? Or if Southwestern archaeology identified as History, rather than as a laboratory of Anthropology? http://bit.ly/2okjiRe – School for Advanced Research

The Fight for Bears Ears
As he prepared to travel west, Interior Department Secretary Ryan Zinke got a letter from a coalition of tribes in Utah on Friday. The group had filled the seats on a commission to manage the new Bears Ears National Monument, the letter said, and Zinke was invited to discuss its future. But the future of Bears Ears’ monument status, which the tribes pushed for and President Barack Obama granted just before leaving office, is uncertain. Utah’s Republican lawmakers have launched an intense lobbying effort to persuade President Trump and Zinke to rescind the designation.  Management of Western land, with its teeming wildlife and vast mineral riches, will be Zinke’s greatest challenge at Interior, and conflict over land is particularly acute in Utah. http://wapo.st/2ok9CGx – Washington Post

Archaeology Café (Tucson): When Social Networks Hurt
Dr. Kacy Hollenback (SMU) joins us for our April 4, 2017, café. She will discuss instances in which social networks led to increased vulnerability in certain disaster contexts (such as smallpox epidemics), instead of increasing resilience (as most people envision). We meet on the patio of Casa Vicente, 375 S. Stone Ave., Tucson. Enter through the restaurant. Presentations begin after 6:00 p.m. It is best to arrive before 5:30 p.m., as seating is open and unreserved, but limited. http://bit.ly/2okfSy2 – Archaeology Southwest

Profile of Preservation Hero Raul Ramirez
For most of Raul Ramirez’s adult years, he worked in social services, for La Frontera Arizona, a mental health and substance abuse services provider, and Pima County Juvenile Court Center. But inside this native Tucsonan beats the heart of a historian, a preservationist, a social service worker of a different kind. Nestled in his core was the desire to recognize indigenous and Mexican-American historical contributions to our region, and to honor the role of Eusebio Francisco Kino, the Jesuit European explorer of the Pimería Alta. http://bit.ly/2mEB0T8 – Arizona Daily Star

Crow Canyon Hosts Third to Eighth Grade Archaeology Curricula Based upon Ancient Life at Mesa Verde
Explore Mesa Verde National Park with your family or students, backed by a powerful new curriculum from the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center, the History Colorado State Historical Fund, and Mesa Verde National Park. http://bit.ly/2okikV0 – Crow Canyon

Colorado’s Montezuma County Asks Feds to Balance Federal Land Purchases
When federal land agencies buy private land, they should offer the same amount of public lands back to the private sector, says the Montezuma County commission. Noting that the county is 26 percent private land, 40 percent federal land, and 34 percent Ute Mountain tribal land, the commissioners passed a resolution in February supporting No Net Loss of Private Lands. “We are in peril if our land is taken out of private and put into public, so I’d like to see some equity there,” said commissioner Keenan Ertel. http://bit.ly/2okfjUX – Cortez Journal

Short Field School Gives Students a Chance to Experience Archaeology in Action
Students are warned: it’s hot, dusty, and dirty. Sometimes also muddy, rainy, and windy. It’s tedious work, digging for hours for something that might not be there. Nevertheless, the two weeks-long archaeology field school in Utah offered in the summer by the anthropology department at PCC is a rare opportunity that students like to jump on. “I can’t say it is all glamorous,” anthropology professor Mari Pritchard-Parker said. “But it’s all an adventure. Adventures are not always fun, but you’ll have stories to tell.” http://bit.ly/2oknZKR – Pasadena City College

Lecture Opportunity – Cortez
The Hisatsinom Chapter of the Colorado Archaeology Society is pleased to present Glade Hadden on Tuesday, April 4th, 2017 at 7:00 PM at the Methodist Church, 515 Park Street, Cortez, CO to discuss “Excavations at Eagle Rock Shelter: 13,000 years of Rocky Mountain Lifestyle.” Glade discusses recent archaeological excavations at Eagle Rock Shelter, the oldest stratified human occupation site in Colorado, with dates ranging from 12,980 to 300 years ago. Contact Kari Schleher at 505-269-4475 with questions.

Lecture Opportunity – Santa Fe
The Santa Fe Archaeological Society, Archaeological Society of America, is pleased to present Bruce Huckell from the University of New Mexico on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at 7:30 pm at the Pecos Trail Cafe, 2239 Old Pecos Trail, Santa Fe, NM. Dr Huckell will present An Examination of Folsom Landscape Use in North-Central New Mexico.

Lecture Opportunity – Santa Fe
Southwest Seminars Presents Dr. John A. Ware, who will give the lecture: Chaco Canyon’s Matrilineal Dynasty: Ethics and Implications on March 27 at 6pm at Hotel Santa Fe as part of the Ancient Sites Ancient Stories Lecture Series. Admission is by subscription or $12 at the door. No reservations are necessary. Refreshments are served. Seating is limited. Contact Connie Eichstaedt at tel.: 505 466-2775; email: southwest seminar@aol.com; website: http://southwestseminars.org

Lecture Opportunity – Santa Fe
Southwest Seminars Presents Dr. Michael Mathiowetz, Department of Anthropology, Riverside City College; who will give the lecture: What Began with Chaco Ended with Paquime: History and Consequences of Pueblo Connections to West Mexico on April 10 at 6pm at Hotel Santa Fe as part of the Ancient Sites Ancient Stories II Lecture Series held to honor and acknowledge The Archaeological Conservancy. Admisison is $15 at the door or by subscription. No reservations are necessary. Refreshments are served. Seating is limited. Contact Connie Eichstaedt at tel: 505 466-2775; email: southwest seminar@aol.com; website: http://southwestseminars.org

Lecture Opportunity – Tucson
Join Dr. Laurie Webster on Saturday, April 15, at 12 PM for a lecture on ancient textiles, baskets, wood, and hides from southeastern Utah. Dr. Webster will discuss the latest findings from the Cedar Mesa Perishables Project.  Cedar Mesa is part of Utah’s new Bears Ears National Monument.  The lecture will take place at the The National Parks Store run by the Western National Parks Association.  For more information see http://bit.ly/2okyqhy – WNPA

Video Presentation – Winslow
The Homolovi Chapter of AAS (Arizona Archaeological Society) is pleased to present Sky and Dennis Roshay on Wednesday, 12 April, at 7 p.m. at the Winslow Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center (Historic Lorenzo Hubbell Trading Post), 523 W. Second St, Winslow, AZ, with a new selection of ongoing rock art videos. Their videos have been shared with several chapters of AAS and at the White Mountain Audubon Society Film Festival to enthusiastic reviews. You can also join us for dinner at 5 p.m. at the Historic La Posada Turquoise Room (on your own tab).