Defending Cultural Landscapes, Latest Edition

NPR’s Science Friday Features Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears National Monuments
The reduction opened up nearly 2 million acres of previously protected federal land to fossil fuel and mineral exploitation, angering Native Americans, for whom the land is historically and spiritually significant, as well as environmentalists, archaeologists, and paleontologists. They argue that irreplaceable ecosystems and human and evolutionary history could be lost forever. http://bit.ly/2OvdZ29 — NPR

More on Monuments Defense Lawsuits
If environmentalists defeat President Donald Trump’s order to strike conservation protections from more than 2 million acres of public land, they will likely have a minor legal ruling issued last week to thank. On Tuesday, a federal judge in Washington, D.C., handed a procedural victory to the coalition of indigenous nations, outdoor-activity companies, and environmental groups suing the U.S. government over the cuts to two expanses of wilderness in Utah. [Editors’ note: Archaeology Southwest is a co-plaintiff on one of the lawsuits.] http://bit.ly/2OBnmgC — The Atlantic

More than 60 House Democrats on Monday signed letters sent to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke urging him to stop work on an environmental study and management plan for the original boundaries of the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments while lawsuits are pending. The pair of letters, headed by Rep. Raul Grijalva, the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, say that President Donald Trump’s orders to cut the monuments by 2 million total acres are now in legal doubt and taking any action to open the lands for possible development or other uses is wrong while a judge decides their fate. http://bit.ly/2OrIIx9 — Salt Lake Tribune

You Can Help Defend Bears Ears
Earlier this year, the BLM and Forest Service announced they were initiating an extremely expedited planning process for creating a Management Plan for the two small units of Bears Ears that remain under National Monument status after President Trump attempted to cut Bears Ears by 85% last December. While Friends of Cedar Mesa (FCM) continues to challenge the legality of Mr. Trump’s proclamation removing protections for places like Cedar Mesa, Grand Gulch, Sand Island, and Cottonwood Wash, we strongly believe the areas inside the reduced monument are in desperate need of active management and a workable plan, especially for dealing with the skyrocketing of numbers visiting front-country archaeological sites in the area. As such, we actively participated in the “scoping phase” of planning, providing the BLM positive and constructive ideas for what is needed in a Monument Management Plan. The agencies have now released draft plans, which include a “preferred alternative,” which is open for public comment until November 15, 2018. More at the link. http://bit.ly/2Ouvn75 — Friends of Cedar Mesa

Pew Charitable Trusts on Greater Chaco Landscape
This arid, windswept region is considered sacred by many tribes throughout the Four Corners region of New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado, with cultural ties to Mesa Verde, Canyon of the Ancients, Bears Ears, and other Native American sites across the region. The Greater Chaco Landscape is also a popular stargazing destination for professional and amateur astronomers. Now this area is under threat from potential oil and gas development. http://bit.ly/2OAfVX2 — Pew Charitable Trusts

Arizona’s San Pedro Riparian Area
Following a brisk planning process that included a number of public meetings, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is now in the process of considering the hundreds of public comments on the draft Resource Management Plan for the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area. The Archaeology Southwest comments emphasize the need for the BLM to manage the beautiful-yet-fragile riparian area in strict compliance with the U.S. Congress’ original and continuing goal for establishing the SPRNCA in 1990: “to protect the riparian area and the aquatic, wildlife, archaeological, paleontological, scientific, cultural, educational, and recreational resources of the public lands surrounding the San Pedro River.” http://bit.ly/2OtF2uM— Archaeology Southwest

Property Deal Returns Land to Taos Pueblo
It was Taos Pueblo land in the first place, but over many years the 14.3 acres encompassing the Lineberry Estate eventually fell out of its hands. Now, it’s back. At document-signing ceremonies conducted earlier this week, Taos Pueblo reacquired the property, termed by tribal officials as “the gateway to life.” http://bit.ly/2DOrBBi — Taos News via Santa Fe New Mexican

Hopi Conservationist Honored as Emerging Leader
Masayesva is Paaqapwungwu (Reed Clan) from the village of Bacavi. He graduated from Fort Lewis College with a degree in adventure education and immediately moved home to get to work developing new youth programs and promoting environmental conservation and stewardship using adventure education as a medium. Masayesva is program coordinator for the Ancestral Lands Hopi office, and on weekends serves as program director for the Adventures for Hopi Program. http://bit.ly/2DPRNvr — Navajo Times, and http://bit.ly/2DPLRCT — Western Resource Advocates

Video: What Makes Mimbres Mimbres?

Mimbres Classic sites (AD 1000–1130) vary considerably in the layouts of their pueblo rooms, in site histories, in social organization, and in the presence of ritual precincts. In this Tea & Archaeology presentation, Dr. Gilman discusses the differences among Classic sites and explain why she thinks religion was the glue that held everything together. https://youtu.be/uI-nytJDaCI

Travelogue, Salinas Province NM
A Fourth of July drive across central New Mexico to the town of Clovis offered some time to explore Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument. We had visited the National Park Service unit in the 1970s when it was named Gran Quivira National Monument. During the earlier late-afternoon visit a major storm washed out a dirt road and a ranger was kind enough to allow us to park our VW camper and spend the night near the visitor center. An evening hail storm resulted in a visit we never forgot. http://bit.ly/2OynZYy — Daily Item

Grant Opportunity, Mimbres–Mogollon Region
The Grant County Archaeological Society (GCAS) is inviting applications for the GCAS/Nancy Coinman Grant Awards for the second half of the 2018-2019 academic year. Two awards, each in the amount of $750, will be offered to PhD candidates or Master’s-level students. The application deadline is December 1, 2018. www.gcasnm.org/news/grant-awards.html

Job Opportunity, New Mexico State University
The Department of Anthropology at New Mexico State University invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track assistant professor in Native American and Indigenous Studies who is broadly trained and with preferred expertise that complements the Anthropology Department’s research and practice in one or more of the following areas: Native identity, tribal sovereignty, decolonization, Indigenous rights, tribal needs and values, intellectual property, heritage and language preservation, health disparities in Native communities, museum and visual studies, and colonial and postcolonial relations among Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups. Strengths in contemporary Native American Studies theory and research methodologies are essential, especially those that are collaborative, participatory, and focused on community action. Successful candidates will demonstrate extensive knowledge and experience working with Native American people. Candidates must hold a PhD or terminal degree in a related field at time of appointment. Applicants should demonstrate a strong potential for success in both research and teaching. Appointment effective fall semester 2019 for the 9-month academic year. Only online applications are accepted. Closing Date is: November 9, 2018. To apply, please visit https://jobs.nmsu.edu/postings/32737

Volunteer Opportunity, Colorado Desert Archaeological Society
The Colorado Desert Archaeological Society needs volunteers to work in the Anza-Borrego Desert, Cuyamaca Rancho, and Palomar Mountain State Parks. An Introduction to Archaeology class will be taught on weekends in November and December 2018 in Borrego Springs, CA. Upon completion participants will be qualified to join CDAS and participate in all archaeological projects. There will be numerous opportunities to work in the field, the Begole Archaeological Research Center, and library. https://www.anzaborregoarchaeo.org/archaeology-training-class/, johndowning2014@outlook.com

Book Lovers’ Opportunity, Tucson AZ
On Friday, October 12, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, October 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.. hundreds of used books will be on sale in the Arizona State Museum Lobby. Many hard to find archaeology books along with history, Native American crafts, anthropology and art. Most are priced under $5.00. The sale benefits the Arizona State Museum Library and is sponsored by the Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society. http://www.az-arch-and-hist.org

Lecture Opportunity TONIGHT, Scottsdale AZ
On Wednesday, October 3, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Civic Center Library (3839 N Drinkwater Blvd) Aaron Wright will present Footprints in the Desert: The Stones of Taliesin West. In the course of constructing Taliesin West atop the rim of Paradise Valley, Frank Lloyd Wright and his apprentices discovered nearly 100 petroglyphs at the base of the adjacent McDowell Mountains. The ancient carvings were on boulders near where Wright quarried the stones for his winter home.  Inspired by the enigmatic glyphs, Wright integrated several of the glyph-adorned boulders into the organic layer of Taliesin West. Following a review of Wright’s use and placement of boulders, this presentation explores the archeological context of petroglyphs at Taliesin West in order to understand when they were made, by whom, and for what purpose. https://scottsdale.libnet.info/event/967934

Lecture Opportunity, Dragoon AZ
On Thursday, October 4, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Amerind Museum hear scholars from around the world talk about their current research on Spanish colonialism from a global perspective. How did Indigenous peoples from the Andes, the Caribbean, Philippines, Guam, Mariana Islands, Western Pacific, Oaxaca, American South, and Guatemala react, change, adapt, and challenge Spanish colonialism? Learn how cultural identities persisted, were reinforced, and reconstituted during this time period. For more information contact amerind@amerind.org or call 520-586-3666. http://www.amerind.org

Lecture Opportunities, Santa Fe NM
Southwest Seminars Presents Dr. Takeshi Inomata, Professor and Agnese Nelms Haury Chair, Environmental and Social Justice, School of Anthropology, University of Arizona; Co-Editor, Mesoamerican Plazas: Practices, Meaning, and Memory who will give a lecture Dawn of Maya Civilization: Agricultural Revolution and Monumental Construction on October 8 at 6:00 p.m. at Hotel Santa Fe as part of the annual Native Culture Matters Lecture Series. Admission is by subscription or $15 at the door. No reservations are necessary. Refreshments are served. Seating is limited. Contact Connie Eichstaedt tel: 505 466-2775; email: southwestseminar@aol.com; website: southwestseminars.org

The Santa Fe Archaeological Society (SFAS), Archaeological Institute of America, is pleased to present Professor Turi King, University of Leicester, AIA Joukowsky Lecturer on Tuesday, October 16, 1918 at 7:15 p.m. at the Pecos Trail Cafe, 2239 Old Pecos Trail, Santa Fe, NM. Her subject will be King Richard III: The Resolution of a 500-Year-Old Case.

Lecture Opportunity, Taos NM
The Taos Archaeological Society welcomes Bob Estes, Staff Archaeologist with the New Mexico Preservation Division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, for Acequias-Historic Water Delivery Systems and Cultural Heritage of New Mexico. This lecture takes place at Kit Carson Board Room, 118 Cruz Alta Rd, Taos, NM on October 9, 2018 at 7 p.m. http://www.taosarch.org

Lecture Opportunity, Cave Creek AZ
Desert Foothills Chapter – AAS presents on October 10 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at no charge, Todd Bostwick. Ironwood Village excavations in 2014 for a new shopping center uncovered a Hohokam village in Marana, north of Tucson, on the east side of the Santa Cruz River. This site contained a previously unknown ballcourt, one of the earliest ever constructed by the Hohokam.  Surrounding the ballcourt were nearly 100 pit houses and more than 250 burials, which dated to the late Pioneer and Colonial periods, circa AD 650 to 850. Ironwood Village was abandoned soon after the leader of the village died and was buried with a rich array of grave offerings in the middle of the ballcourt. Dr. Bostwick discusses the results of these excavations and shows numerous photos of the artifacts recovered from the site. The meeting is held in the community building (Maitland Hall) at The Good Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church, 6502 East Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, AZ 85331 (near the Dairy Queen). www.azarchsoc.wildapricot.org/desertfoothills

Thanks to Brian Kreimendahl for his contributions to this issue.

Please submit news, book announcements, and events at this link for consideration: https://www.archaeologysouthwest.org/submit-to-sat/

Questions? sat-editor@archaeologysouthwest.org