Broad Coalition Supports Archaeological Preservation along the Great Bend of the Gila

Broad Coalition Supports Archaeological Preservation along the Great Bend of the Gila
Roy and Ella Pierpoint continue a 1,500-year way of life, farming near an area awash in Hohokam and Patayan treasures. The Pierpoints, who farm the land the Hohokams cultivated, say they want Congress to shield the ancient sites from vandals, limit future development and protect the wildlife that lives there. http://bit.ly/YOTzSS – Tri Valley Dispatch

Update on Archaeology Southwest’s Salado Preservation Initiative
The next phase of the Salado Preservation Initiative began last month, when Bill Doelle, Jeff Clark, Andy Laurenzi, and our new Preservation Fellow, Lewis Borck, headed to the field to visit several sites in the Sulphur Springs Valley, on the west side of the Chiricahua Mountains, and some sites in the Upper San Bernardino Valley, on the east side of the mountains. Our intent was to visit sites where we hope to do some limited test excavations, as well as sites for which we will be relying on previously excavated material. http://bit.ly/12nnct0

National Park Service Webinar To Discuss Traditional Cultural Properties and National Register Process
You are cordially invited to participate in a 1-1.5 hour webinar with Paul Loether, NPS Chief of the National Register of Historic Places/National Historic Landmarks Program. The workshop will serve as a forum for discussing the current status of NPS’ efforts to update the guidelines for identifying, evaluating, and documenting NR-eligible Traditional Cultural Properties as well as to discuss the proposed development of similar guidelines related to Native American landscapes.  The webinar will be held on Thursday, May 23, 2013 from 2:30 to 4:00 pm Eastern time. If you would like to participate please contact Alexis Abernathy via e-mail alexis_abernathy@nps.gov.

Traditional Cultural Properties Workshop To Be Held Prior to Arizona Preservation Conference
Now is the time to register for the free workshop on Traditional Cultural Properties (TCPs) that is being offered prior to the 2013 Historic Preservation Conference in Mesa.  The Workshop dates are June 12-13, and the HP Conference dates are June 13-14.  The joint conference will be held at the Hilton Phoenix East/Mesa, located at 1100 W. Holmes Ave., Mesa (US 60 and Alma School Rd).  For more information on the TCP Workshop, please feel free to contact Ann Howard at ahoward@azstateparks.gov.  To register for the TCP Workshop and/or the HP conference, please go to www.AZPreservation.com or call (602) 568-6277.

National Public Radio Looks at the Revolution in Archaeological Mapping
Legend has it that the rainforest of Mosquitia hid La Ciudad Blanca, the White City. For centuries, explorers tried to find the fabled city in the jungle of Nicaragua and Honduras. Protected by white water, coral snakes, stinging plants and brutal topography, the White City remained an archeologist dream. But with a new application of recent technology, a documentary filmmaker, not an archeologist, found the White City. http://n.pr/ZSsUQv  – NPR

Now You See it, Now You Don’t – The Brigadoon Effect
Springtime for southern Arizona archaeology means… the Brigadoon Effect! Now you see it, now you don’t.  As many of you probably know, vegetation can be an archaeologist’s friend or foe. Trees and creosotes can  hide site features—or they can reveal them as if by magic. Archaeologists call this seasonal aid “The Brigadoon Effect,” after Brigadoon, a 1954 musical about an enchanted Scottish village that appeared only a few times each century. http://bit.ly/YDd5Q9

Arizona Archaeology Society to Offer Preservation Workshop
The AAS will be offering a preservation workshop taught by archaeologist Dr. John Hohmann and architect Larry Roberts. The workshop will be comprised of lectures and hands-on learning experiences in site preservation and stabilization at historic Q Ranch near Young AZ. Weekend dates of the workshop are Sept 14-15, 21-22, 28-29. An extended session from Sept 14-22, for those who wish more experience, is included in the registration fee.The cost of the workshop is $75. Membership in the Arizona Archaeological Society is required. Camping in the pines is available at the site at an additional fee or accommodations and all meals are offered by the owner at the historic Q Ranch. For more information on lodging or camping, contact Owner Jonathan Rogers, Q Ranch Lodge, P.O. Box 299, Young, AZ 85554 qranchlodge@earthlink.net (928) 970-0596. For information on the workshop or AAS membership, contact Joan Clark PO box 1382 Carefree AZ jnclark1@cox.net 480-488-9793′

Arizona Archaeology Society to Offer Scientific Illustration Workshop
The scientific illustration workshop will be taught by Dr. John W. Hohmann and Bryan Donahue, professional artist and scientific illustrator.  Each student will learn about the importance and value of scientific illustration  and will have the opportunity to illustrate various artifacts and cultural features from Q Ranch, a secluded historic ranch with both prehistoric and historic components.  Workshop runs from Monday 8 a.m., July 29 thru Friday 4 p.m., August 2 (5 days class work, 6 nights). Cost:$895 per person/double occupancy or $1150 per person single occupancy which includes course registration, lodging and meals. For reservations and enrollment please contact Jonathan Rogers,Q Ranch Lodge, PO box 299, Young AZ 85554 (qranchlodge@earthlink.net) (928-970-0596).Membership in AAS is required, for more information on membership contact Joan Clark (jnclark1@cox.net) 480-488-9793.

Lecture Opportunity – Camp Verde, AZ
The Verde Valley Archaeology Center is pleased to offer a presentation by Dr. John Ware. The presentation titled “Does Deep History Matter”  is scheduled for May 21 from 7:00pm-9:00pm. Dr. Ware will speak in the multi-use center located at 370 Camp Lincoln Road, Camp Verde. Dr. Ware will argue that the survival of our species may depend on re-learning some of the ancient lessons.

Lecture Opportunity – Santa Fe
Southwest Seminars Presents Dr. James T. Watson, Head of Research Division, Assistant Curator of Bioarchaeology, Arizona State Museum and Assistant Professor of Anthropology, School of Anthropology, University of Arizona, who will give a lecture on Blood Feud or Bad Death? Violence Among Early Farming Communities in the Sonoran Desert on May 20 at Hotel Santa Fe as part of the annual Ancient Sites Ancient Stories II Lecture Series held annually to honor and acknowledge the work of the Archaeological Conservancy. Admission is by subscription or $12 at the door. No reservations are necessary and refreshments are served. Contact Connie Eichstaedt, tel: 505 466-2775, email: southwestseminar@aol.com website:  http://bit.ly/YhJddr

Lecture Opportunity –  Tucson
The Arizona Archaeological and Historical society is pleased to present Janine Hernbrode and Peter Boyle on Monday, 20 May at 7:30 PM at the DuVal Auditorium (1501 N. Campbell Ave. inside University Medical Center) to discuss Hohokam Petroglyphs at Sutherland Wash: Flower World and Gender Imagery. Hernborde and Boyle will discuss a rich set of data recently created by a team of volunteers from AAHS and the Arizona Site Stewards which includes a detailed recording of 3,251 prehistoric petroglyphs, a variety of surface features, artifacts, trails, and solar markers, suggesting the special significance of Sutherland Wash. Contact Jon Boyd @ 520 444-6385 with questions about this, or any other AAHS program.