Dear Friends,
Archaeology Southwest currently has two dozen full-time employees working on everything from original scientific research to Tribal collaboration, from site and landscape preservation to outreach activities, and from raising money to running the business of a complex nonprofit.
We can’t do this work alone, and today I’d like to recognize the talented and generous group of volunteers who help us every step of the way! (Thanks to Director of Outreach Sara Anderson for compiling the following data.)
In 2024, 107 volunteers donated 5,034 hours—equivalent to almost 2.5 years of labor! Some highlights:
- The Robinson Collection Team, working under the general supervision of Vice President of Research Jeff Clark, donated 1,945 hours to finalizing the analysis and curation of a massive collection of previously excavated artifacts that have now been transferred to the Arizona State Museum for permanent curation. Jaye Smith led the way with 883 hours donated, the equivalent to more than two days per week throughout the year!
- The Roadrunner Vista Collection Team, again under Clark’s overall supervision, donated 308 hours to organize and repackage this previously excavated collection from southern Arizona. They then drove 35 banker’s boxes of artifacts, plus 13 flats of ground stone, to the Amerind Foundation in Dragoon, Arizona. Sharon Miller donated 240 hours, or 78% of the total, by herself!
- Twenty-three volunteers donated 1,416 fieldwork hours to the Desert Trails Project led by Preservation Anthropologist Aaron Wright. That is equivalent to roughly one person working for nine months of the year! Mary Grant (336 hours) and Sherri St. Martin (234 hours) put in impressive time.
- Forty-seven volunteers donated 376 fieldwork hours to the Sabino Canyon Survey, led by Director of Outreach Sara Anderson and Allen Denoyer. Michele Roush and Sharon Miller led the way with 44 and 36 hours donated, respectively.
- Five volunteers donated 100 hours to Archaeology Southwest’s ongoing work in our beloved San Pedro Valley, working on archaeological and ecological conservation projects. A more-than-honorable mention must go to President Emeritus and Senior Advisor Bill Doelle, whose ongoing generosity continues to humble us all!
I’d prefer not to reduce volunteerism to cost-equivalents, but such calculations can help put things in perspective. The federal government regularly publishes a value for one hour of typical volunteer work. The most recent value, from 2023, was $33.49 per hour. At that rate, our beloved volunteers gave us more than $168,000 worth of critical assistance in 2024!
Dear volunteers, on behalf of the entire Archaeology Southwest staff and board, all I can say is “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
Until next week,
Steve Nash
President & CEO, Archaeology Southwest
AZ Governor Hobbs Pledges $7M to Aid Arizona State Museum NAGPRA Compliance
The mood at the Arizona State Museum at the University of Arizona in Tucson on Wednesday was shock. The museum’s staff, who facilitate the repatriation of Native American human remains and artifacts to Indigenous tribes, learned that Gov. Katie Hobbs was seeking $7 million to aid their efforts. That mood quickly shifted to excitement. “If that money comes to us … that will allow us to move forward,” said James Watson, the museum’s associate director who oversees repatriation work. … “The hardworking staff at the museum have done their best to repatriate human remains and artifacts to tribes without any significant financial investment from the state,” Hobbs said. “It is time for that to change. It is time for the state to take repatriation seriously.” Mackenzie Miller, Matthew Bird, and Justin Patton for Cronkite News | Read more »
In Memoriam: Helga Teiwes
Helga Kulbe Teiwes of Tucson, Arizona passed away peacefully at home on November 24, 2024, at the age of 94. She was born in Düsseldorf, Germany in 1930. Ten years later her life was disrupted by World War II. Her family struggled through the war, moving when needed to escape harm and starvation. After the war ended, she returned to school and in 1950 began a trade apprenticeship in Photography under Master Photographer Erna Hehke-Winterer, a specialist in black-and-white portraiture and architectural and industrial photography. She went on to complete her Journeyman degree in 1953 and later her Master of Arts in photography degree. She worked as staff photographer for a German manufacturer.
In 1960 she emigrated to New York City, where she held many jobs, including a stint as a darkroom worker and assistant to the photographer for Cartier Jewelers. In 1964 she headed west in her Volkswagen Beetle to see more of the United States. A visit to Mesa Verde convinced her that she must photograph the Southwest’s archaeological sites.
Teiwes got her wish. Dr. Emil Haury, Director of the Arizona State Museum (ASM), University of Arizona, hired her to photograph the excavations at Snaketown, a massive archaeological site on the Gila River Indian Reservation. In 1965 she became ASM’s staff photographer and devoted her professional life to documenting the rich archaeological and cultural landscapes of her new home, including authoring books on Hopi Katsinas and baskets. Although she retired in 1994, her legacy lives on in the thousands of images she created that are part of the permanent collections at ASM and at the National Museum of the American Indian of the Smithsonian Institute.
Helga is survived by her three godchildren, Karin Buchholz, Gert Buchholz, and Werner Buchholz, and by her cousin, Karin Henkies, all of Germany. She was preceded in death by her longtime partner Donald Kucera. Submitted by Mark Elson and Deborah Swartz
Podcast: Is the Antiquities Act an Antique?
With the support of area tribes, President Joe Biden just designated the Chuckwalla National Monument using his authority under the Antiquities Act. That same law created the path for President Barack Obama to designate the Bears Ears National Monument in Utah. Both actions stirred opposition from ranchers, oil drillers, and other profit-driven entities who see a better use for that land. Now, that opposition is surfacing in Congress, as a bill to strip the president’s use of Antiquities [has been introduced]. We’ll talk about what the Antiquities Act does, and how it protects—and hinders—Native American interests. Guests include Shannon O’Loughlin, Arnold Thomas, and Matthew Campbell. Native America Calling | Listen now »
New Bill Aims to Cut Executive Authority from Antiquities Act
Two legislators introduced a bill Thursday that would modify the landmark Antiquities Act by stripping the president of the ability to create or expand national monuments. … Representatives Mark Amodei of Nevada and Celeste Maloy of Utah, both Republicans, introduced the Ending Presidential Overreach on Public Lands Act to the House. The full text of the bill is short and to the point. It seeks to strike Section 2 of the Antiquities Act—which allows presidents to designate national monuments and historic landmarks on existing federal lands—and transfer that authority exclusively to Congress. Natalie Krebs for Outdoor Life | Read more »
Belongings Returned to Ysleta del Sur Pueblo
Today [Jan. 17, 2025], U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) announced the long-awaited repatriation of sacred Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo Tribe artifacts currently held by the Nationaal Museum Van Wereldculturen in the Netherlands back to their home in El Paso, Texas. Senators Luján and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and Representatives Veronica Escobar (D-TX), Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-N.M.) sent a letter to the Dutch Government in June, in addition to several meetings and phone calls with relevant stakeholders, including U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Shefali Razdan Duggal. The lawmakers have been working with the Department of State and the Dutch Government to return several cultural and religious artifacts since the Pueblo made numerous, yet unsuccessful, efforts to communicate with the Museum for the objects, which were taken from the Pueblo by Dutch anthropologist Herman F.C. Ten Kate in December of 1882. Press release from Sen. Luján’s office | Read more »
Blog Post: A Brief Introduction to Tribal Sovereignty
Have you ever heard of the terms “Tribal sovereignty,” “self-determination,” or “self-governance” when it comes to discussing Native American affairs in the United States and weren’t quite sure what they meant? Do you want to learn what these terms mean and how these concepts connect to the relationship between Tribes and the United States Federal government? Let’s dive in! Anastasia Walhovd for Save History (Archaeology Southwest) | Read more »
Blog Post: Of Their Own Choosing: Assisting Tribes in Promulgating Burial and Cultural Property Preservation Laws of Their Own
Many Tribes already have excellent laws of this kind [ARPA- and NAGPRA-like statutes and regulations]. The Navajo Nation has an excellent and comprehensive set of statutes which include establishment of a Historic Preservation Department, a Tribal Museum, a set of definitions, including ones for Cultural Property and Cultural Resource and site, a permit system for persons with legitimate needs to be present at those sites, and a system of criminal and civil penalties for offenders who are present on those sites without a permit or authorization. Another example is the Eastern Band of Cherokee. The Tribe has their own set of laws establishing an Historic Preservation Office and a similar, but different permit regime which protects burials and skeletal remains found on their land. All have the same goal: to protect sacred sites and burials which are of interest to looters and grave robbers. That same goal but in language of their own choosing. That’s one of the goals of these templates: to establish comprehensive cultural property protection laws for Tribes which do not already have such laws on the books. Randy Ream for Save History (Archaeology Southwest) | Read more »
Blog Post: Hands-On Archaeology: How to (Ethically) Harvest Lac
I spent a few years learning how to find [lac] and gather enough to introduce it as an adhesive in my classes. The first thing I realized is that lac is not easy to find, especially on the creosote plant. I walked many miles before I trained my eyes to spot it. As I got better at finding it, I realized what a precious commodity it is, and how time-intensive it is to gather. Because it is relatively rare on the landscape, I wanted to share with potential fellow gatherers some guidelines for ethical harvesting. It is important to not over-harvest. As a harvester, you do not want to damage the living portion of a colony. Allen Denoyer for the Preservation Archaeology blog (Archaeology Southwest) | Read more »
Field School and Summer Education Opportunities
Preservation Archaeology Museum Curation and Survey Field School: This archaeology course is focused on learning from archaeological museum collections and survey data, using information from both approaches to answer research questions. Our approach combines elements of a traditional archaeological field school and a museum studies course, and everyone spends time on both course components. Our curriculum highlights the practice of Preservation Archaeology, which integrates research, education, preservation, and engagement with Indigenous and local communities. This project is committed to increasing the diversity of views represented in archaeology, including improving communication between archaeologists and nonprofessionals and between researchers with different backgrounds and training. Students from backgrounds and institutions traditionally underrepresented in archaeology (including small colleges and community colleges) are especially encouraged to apply. Application deadline is March 15. Archaeology Southwest | Learn more »
Cultural Resource Management (CRM) College Field School: Taking place on Crow Canyon Archaeological Center’s campus in Southwest Colorado, this intensive two-week course teaches practical cultural resource management (CRM) fieldwork skills for swifter entry into the private workforce after college. The program will consist of lectures, lab analysis, in-field survey and site documentation, evening programs, and field trips in the Mesa Verde region. Apply by March 15 for priority consideration. Crow Canyon Archaeological Center | Learn more »
Dendrochronology Intensive Summer Course: Every tree has a story to tell. The Dendrochronology Intensive Summer Course (DISC) is a three-week long course that is designed to provide experiential learning in all phases of tree-ring research. Participants will learn fundamental Dendrochronology concepts and be introduced to its rich interdisciplinary nature. In addition, they will hone their skills in track-specific techniques. All tracks will include a fieldwork component and cover sample collection, sample processing, data analysis and will culminate in a project presentation. Ample opportunities to network and interact with participants in other tracks, as well as Invited speakers, are an important and integral part of DISC. Registration fees must be paid by April 14. Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research, University of Arizona | Learn more »
Internship Opportunity: Traditional Trades Advancement Program (Tumacácori National Historical Park, AZ)
Are you interested in exploring a career where you can work with your hands? Or dream about a worksite with a jaw-dropping view and fascinating history? If so, the Traditional Trades Advancement Program may be right for you! Every year, the Traditional Trades Advancement Program (TTAP) places aspiring preservationists at national parks across the country to preserve cultural resources and crucial infrastructure. Tumacácori National Historical Park will have two positions available starting this spring. The program comes with amazing development opportunities, including: Paid conference/workshop opportunity; Pairing with on-site mentors; Getting to know more about careers with the National Park Service. Campaign for Historic Trades (National Park Service) | Learn more »
Email Alex Lim or Dan Green for more information on the two openings at Tumacácori »
Position Announcement: Director, Center for Archaeological Research (San Antonio TX)
Established in 1974, CAR is an active archaeological contract facility, a state-accredited collections repository, a research unit with close ties to the Department of Anthropology, and a liaison with the local community in matters of cultural heritage (http://car.utsa.edu/index.html). CAR’s staff of 21 employees work at the University’s Main Campus in a facility with 12,500 square feet of lab, office, classroom, and curation space. CAR secures more than one million dollars in contracts annually and curates over 15 million items from the Pre-Columbian, colonial, and historic periods. CAR is housed in the College of Liberal and Fine Arts. Salary range is $77,000 to $109,000, commensurate with education, experience and qualifications. University of Texas at San Antonio | Learn more »
January Live Lectures (Santa Fe NM)
Jan. 27, Mark Asquino, Spanish Connections: My Diplomatic Journey from Venezuela to Equatorial Guinea. $20 at the door. Southwest Seminars | Learn more »
REMINDER: Jan. 31 In-Person Event (Phoenix AZ): Making Connections: Material Culture and Social Networks in the Southwest
With Robert Bischoff. Archaeologists study material culture—objects made and used by people—to explore past social relationships. This presentation combines artifact analysis and computer simulations to examine social networks in the Western Pueblo region (central Arizona to western New Mexico). Bischoff, a PhD candidate at ASU, specializes in computational archaeology, focusing on network science, GIS, and agent-based modeling to reveal social dynamics in ancient societies. Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve | Learn more »
REMINDER: Feb. 4 In-Person Event (Tucson AZ): Connecting and Dividing
With Matthew E. Hill. Hill will discuss “Connecting and Dividing: Dogs and European Colonists, Enslaved Africans, and Native Americans in the Chesapeake Bay Region, 1600-1800s.” At the time of European colonization, people in the Chesapeake Bay region were divided by race, class, and gender. Dr. Hill will show the complicated role of dogs in this socially dynamic region and highlight how they both connected diverse cultures and created divisions among people. 5:30 p.m., SAACA’s Catalyst Creative Collective, lower-level west wing of Tucson Mall, intersection of Oracle and Wetmore Rds. Refreshments available. Archaeology Café (Archaeology Southwest) | Learn more »
REMINDER: Feb. 13 Online Event: Pueblo Identity & the People of Kuaua Pueblo
With Matthew Barbour. The term “Pueblo” is problematic. It was used by the Spanish to refer to many different ethnic groups living in the American Southwest at the time of European contact. All of these groups shared the trait of living in villages but had different languages and customs. This presentation explores the multi-ethnic composition of the people referred to as “Pueblo” through the lens of the occupation history of Kuaua Pueblo, known today as Coronado Historic Site. Crow Canyon Archaeological Center | Learn more and register (free) »
Feb. 17 Online Event: Los Barros de Juan Quezada: Land Use and Composition
With Maren Hopkins and Kelsey Hanson. Juan Quezada is a well-known ceramicist from the village of Mata Ortiz, Chihuahua, Mexico, who spent his lifetime studying the rocks and minerals near his home. While Mr.Quezada’s contribution to the internationally renowned Mata Ortiz pottery tradition is well established, his knowledge of the physical environment remains an understudied aspect of his life’s work. In an effort to highlight this important component of Juan Quezada’s legacy, we documented various clay sources near Mata Ortiz and studied them compositionally using techniques common in archaeology, including neutron activation analysis (NAA), x-ray fluorescence (XRF), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and petrography. As the project progressed, the story of Juan Quezada’s clays evolved into a rich narrative of personal and shared experiences, history, land tenure, geology, toponomy, and more. Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society | Learn more and register (free) »
Remember to send us notice of upcoming webinars and Zoom lectures, tours and workshops, and anything else you’d like to share with the Friends. Thanks!