Southwest Archaeology Today for April 11, 2007

Archaeology Making the News – A Service of the Center for Desert Archaeology

– Santa Cruz National Heritage Area Legislation Moves to Congress: A National Heritage Area designation intended to promote tourism along the Santa Cruz River from the Pima/Pinal county line to the U.S.-Mexican border got a send-off Tuesday from two Arizona Democrats who will try to push it through Congress. Although there’s a chance the designation would mean up to about $1 million a year in federal funding, backers hope the National Heritage Area title alone will attract tourists.
http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/177866.php

– Santa Cruz National Heritage Area Would Celebrate Many Cultures: There are many reasons to support a federal bill that would create a Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area. The most compelling rests on the belief that our population and urban growth are increasing so rapidly that ties to the natural and social history of this region will become invisible if we don’t do something to preserve them.
http://www.azstarnet.com/opinion/177762

– Early Dates for Maize Cultivation in Mexico: U.S. anthropologists have found evidence of ancient maize farming in the Gulf Coast region near Tabasco, Mexico. Florida State University anthropology Professor Mary Pohl and colleagues discovered farmers in Mexico were cultivating an early form of maize, the forerunner of modern corn, about 7,300 years ago — 1,200 years earlier than scholars previously thought.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/9joc – United Press International

– Rio Nuevo Excavations Unearth a Glimpse of Tucson’s Past: When the archaeological dig is complete the San Agustin Mission Cultural Park will commemorate the lives and achievements of Tucson’s Native American, Spanish, and Mexican heritage.
http://www.kvoa.com/global/story.asp?s=6346458

– A History of the Pueblo Archaeology and Historical Society: It was about the time that Western State University archaeologist C. T. Hurst and others from the Gunnison area had formed a group on the Western Slope that would be the beginning of the Colorado Archaeological Society and encouraged local groups to become official chapters. Today, there are 13 chapters in the state organization, sharing information and opportunities for field trips and actual surveys and digs under the supervision of professionals. In addition to local chapters, that includes a statewide Rock Art group, in whose formation Pueblo had a major role.
http://www.chieftain.com/metro/1176098507/4

– Gila Cliff Dwellings Announces Centennial Events For May: Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument Superintendent Steve Riley announced today the following May centennial celebration activities. Throughout 2007, Gila Cliff Dwellings’ theme Celebrating a Century of Storytelling will guide the special events and programs at the monument, leading up to the actual 100th anniversary on November 16, 2007.
http://www.cdarc.org/sat/gcdnm_news.doc

– Local Historian, History Teacher and Archaeologist reaches 100th Birthday in Tucson: Among the writings on the Web site: “Not much is known about William Duffen, but he obviously had archeological training, some geological knowledge and good common sense.” Duffen called his former history student, Linda Foley, who let the folks in Texas know that he was alive and well. Since then, Duffen has shared information and photos with those building the Web site. “It’s great to be back in the game,” he says.
http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/177222
Http://www.texasbeyondhistory.net/morhiss/index.html

– Lecture in Santa Fe on the Preservation of Mesa Verde: Southwest Seminars Presents Kathy Fiero, Archaeologist (ret.), Mesa Verde National Park, National Park Service, ” An Obsession With Cliff Dwellings: Preserving Mesa Verde” Offered at a Benefit for The Archaeological Conservancy Monday Evening, April 16th at 6 p.m. At Hotel Santa Fe, 1501 Paseo de Peralta, Santa Fe, NM 87501.

– Arrowhead-Making And Flintknapping Workshop at Old Pueblo Archaeology Center (Tucson): 5100 W. Ina Road Bldg. 8. Sunday April 15, 2007. Flintknapper Sam Greenleaf teaches hands-on workshop on making arrowheads and spearpoints out of stone to better understand how ancient people made and used stone artifacts. Class is designed to help modern people understand how prehistoric Native Americans made and used artifacts, and is not intended to train students how to make artwork for sale. Class limited to 8 registrants age 16 and older. Workshop runs from 1 to 3 p.m. and costs $25 per person ($20 for Old Pueblo Archaeology Center and Pueblo Grande Museum Auxiliary members). Advance reservations required.