Southwest Archaeology Today for June 14, 2007

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

– Evidence of Native American Massacre Found in Utah: An extensive analysis of seven American Indian skeletons unearthed in a mass grave in Nephi last year shows that the men and boys did not die in a skirmish with Mormon settlers, as most historical records suggest, but were killed execution-style. That is the conclusion of state archaeologists who spent nearly nine months examining the roughly 1,800 bones and bone fragments that were found in a shallow grave in downtown Nephi in August 2006.
http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_6090275

– Museum of Northern Arizona Offering Innovative Youth Programs: The Museum of Northern Arizona’s (MNA) Discovery 2007 connects young people to the natural world and cultural heritage of the region they live in. Registration is now open for classes and summer camp sessions. “Discovery’s programs offer a gateway to the wonders of the Colorado Plateau and a summer’s worth of creative, relevant, and meaningful exploration and fun,” says Discovery Program Coordinator Rosemary Logan. “Discovery has been offering hands-on, interdisciplinary, and experiential classes that immerse children in their environment for 31 years. It is MNA’s mission to inspire a sense of love and responsibility for the beauty and diversity of the Colorado Plateau. We look forward to another year of exceptional programs with our students.”
http://www.cdarc.org/page/e7so (Navajo-Hopi Observer)

– The summer issue of Utah State History’s newsletter is now online. It features info on our annual conference, an ancient archaeological site near the Utah State Prison, women wrestlers, exploring the immigrant trail, an 1853 immigrant’s story, and more. Enjoy! –Kristen Rogers, editor
http://history.utah.gov/news_and_events/currents/past_issues/index.html

– Pecos Conference 2007: Don’t forget to register for this year’s Pecos Conference, August 9-12, to be held at Pecos National Historic Park. It’s easy – both paper and online registration is available again this year. Registering before JULY 1 will save you $10, and it’s the only way to make sure you’ll get the t-shirt you want. So, do it today, why don’t you?
http://www.swanet.org/2007_pecos_conference/index.html

– Aztec Ruins presents “Anasazi America”: A lecture to be given by David E. Stuart, Professor of Anthropology at the University of New Mexico, on Thursday, June 14, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
http://www.daily-times.com/ci_6117517?source=most_viewed

– O’odham artifacts find new home: Priceless ancient artifacts and other American Indian cultural items that have been in Arizona museums for years are back home with the Tohono O’odham Nation.
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/history_culture/54498.php

– Culture and history go on display Friday: The grand opening of the Tohono O’odham Nation Cultural Center & Museum kicks off with two days of festivities starting Friday in the community of Topawa.
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/metro/187346.php

– Lecture on Animas-La Plata Archaeology (Dolores): Anasazi Heritage Center hosts Animas-La Plata archaeologist James Potter, director of archeological research for the Animas-La Plata Project (ALP). He will share some of his team’s surprising discoveries during a presentation at the Anasazi Heritage Center on Sunday, June 17 at 2:00 p.m. For more information, call the Center at (970) 882-5600.
http://www.co.blm.gov/ahc

– Apache Independence Day Commemorating ceremony June 18: The San Carlos Apache Tribe, Apache Independence Day Committee has announced that the Apache Independence Day celebration will be held June 16 with scheduled activities throughout the day. Activities are scheduled to be held in downtown San Carlos with a rodeo at the Apache Gold Casino Pavilion.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/d5md (Arizona Silver Belt – Apache Moccasin)

– Tribes unites for blessing ceremony: The Chairman of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, Wendsler Nosie, Sr., under the direction of the San Carlos Apache Tribal Council, is uniting tribes in the southwest to gather atop Apache Leap/Oak Flat for a blessing ceremony at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 20, at the Oak Flat campgrounds.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/5nmx (Arizona Silver Belt – Apache Moccasin)

– Arizona State Museum Invites Volunteers to Help With Solstice Celebration: We still need your help. Arizona State Museum’s annual summer party, “MARKING THE SOLSTICE: A Multicultural Celebration,” requires the help of many volunteers to be successful. This year’s event, which promises to be our biggest and best yet, is scheduled for Saturday, June 23rd, on the museum’s front lawn from 4:30-9:30 p.m. Many have generously volunteered already but we could still use some help during these shifts: Set-up Crew, 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm; Clean-up Crew, 8:30 pm to 10:00 pm. There’s so much planned for this evening that it’s impossible to list it all here. See our web site for full details:
http://www.statemuseum.arizona.edu/events/solstice/index.shtml

– Digital laser imaging technology now has been applied to one of the founding sites of the Andean Civilization. You can see how 3D imaging reveals remarkable architectural complexity in “Chavin de Huantar: A CyArk Case Study,” the latest video feature on the nonprofit streaming-media Web site, The Archaeology Channel
http://www.archaeologychannel.org/

Chavin de Huantar exemplifies CyArk, a project of the Kacyra Family Foundation that is preserving the world’s most valued cultural heritage sites in three-dimensional digital form. Between 800 and 300 BC, during the Chavin Horizon, the site was the ceremonial center of the Peruvian Andes and the location of the “Smiling God” of the Lanzon, represented by the Lanzon Monolith. Chavin’s advanced textiles, metallurgy and ceramics changed traditional methods throughout South America. This video shows how CyArk is preserving the site in digital imagery through laser-scanning technology and the most accurate 3D models possible today.

– Employment Opportunity (Phoenix): Archaeological Resource Review / Program Compliance Specialist. Arizona State Parks, State Historic Preservation Office. Application deadline is JULY 8, 2007. This position is the lead provider of the State Historic Preservation Office’s services to the assigned federal and state agencies. By federal regulation, Review and Compliance staff must meet the Secretary of Interior’s Professional Standards. For archaeological compliance positions, the Standards require a minimum of a Masters Degree in Archaeology, Anthropology or closely related field plus: 1. At least one year of full-time professional experience or equivalent specialized training in archaeological research, administration or management; 2. At least four months of supervised field and analytical experience in general North American archaeology; 3. Demonstrated ability to carry research to completion. In addition to these minimum qualifications: A professional in prehistoric archaeology shall have at least one year of full-time professional experience at a supervisory level in the study of archaeological resources of the prehistoric period. A professional in historical archaeology shall have at least one year of full-time professional experience at a supervisory level in the study of archaeological resources of the historical period. To apply for this position, type “azparks” in the job search criteria at
http://www.azstatejobs.gov