President Obama Declares Three New National Monuments in California

President Obama Declares Three New National Monuments in California
President Obama has set aside more of America’s lands and waters for conservation protection than any of his predecessors, and he is preparing to do even more before he leaves office next year. The result may be one of the most expansive environmental and historic-preservation legacies in presidential history.On Friday, Obama designated more than 1.8 million acres of California desert for protection with the creation of three national monuments: Castle Mountains, Mojave Trails and Sand to Snow. The new monuments will connect three existing sites — Death Valley and Joshua Tree national parks and the Mojave National Preserve — to create the second-largest desert preserve in the world. wapo.st/1RCMkqO – Washinton Post

The Master Leasing Plan – Deciding Where 3000 Oil and Gas Wells Can Be Drilled in SE Colorado
For some, it’s obvious: Why wouldn’t you meticulously plan the location of a predicted 3,000 new oil and gas wells to protect natural lands like Mesa Verde National Park and Phil’s World mountain bike trails? For others, it’s merely a tactic to delay the inevitable. A Master Leasing Plan doesn’t sound provocative, but bitter lines have been drawn as a result of the Bureau of Land Management planning the future use of its federal land in Southwest Colorado, 92 percent of which is open to gas and oil development. http://bit.ly/1PxlHkk – Durango Herald

La Plata County Demonstrates Strong Grassroots Support for Intensive Study before Finalizing Master Leasing Plan
Support for the Bureau of Land Management to pursue a more intensive study in anticipation of new gas wells in Southwest Colorado received near unanimous favor Thursday at a public hearing held in Durango. Out of more than 20 speakers, mostly from La Plata County, there was only one voice of dissension: Farmington resident Charles Creekmore, who works in the oil and gas industry. La Plata County residents, one after the other, barraged a BLM subgroup committee in support of further regulations and planning of future gas development on federal lands in Southwest Colorado. http://bit.ly/1U1eTyP – Durango Herald

Case Study: Preservation of Place in Urban Environments
For more than three centuries, 50-52 Bowery has held a place at the crossroads of change. Today, the parcel of land in Chinatown overlooks a trail of cars and trucks rumbling between Canal Street and the Manhattan Bridge. In recent years, a Duane Reade and a Popeye’s Fried Chicken operated there. But in headier times, it was a gambling den run by a bare-knuckle boxer and a celebrated beer garden and concert hall that incubated Tin Pan Alley talent and Yiddish vaudeville stars. It served as a meeting place for soldiers and revolutionaries, Chinese Nationalists and a group of workers that was the first to organize a restaurant in Chinatown. Each successive immigrant group has etched its character into the soil. At times, the spot was a haven for sin and vice. But it almost always hewed to the Bowery’s rough-edged persona. When it becomes a hotel later this year, the site will have traced a circle of sorts, as travelers and locals again avail themselves of food, drink and amusement there. http://nyti.ms/1QftfFL – New York Times

Current Archaeology: Salvage Excavations at Giusewa Pueblo
Through the centuries, Jemez Historic Site’s Giusewa Pueblo has been excavated by numerous archaeologists. The collections in Santa Fe are full of pottery, flaked stone, and other archaeological materials recovered at the site. However, very few research reports discuss Giusewa in any great detail. While lots of archaeological work was conducted, very little has ever been published. This is beginning to change. In 2014, Regge Wiseman, Research Associate for the Office of Archaeological Studies, decided to take on a project at Jemez Historic Site nearly 50 years in the making. Looking back to the summer of 1965, Jemez Historic Site was in the process of enlarging its visitor center. Bathrooms were to be installed, but needed a water line be connected to the pipe servicing Via Coeli, now known as the Fitzgerald Center. To do so required the line to go through part of Giusewa Pueblo and Archaeologist Laurens Hammack was called in to excavate and document what was to be destroyed. http://bit.ly/1SqmqHF – Jemez Daily Post

Video Presentation on PiiPaash Ceramic Traditions
Digital Preserve proudly presents a new documentary film, Paddle and Anvil: a Piipaash Pottery Tradition. From clay dug in the Phoenix area, to a beautifully designed and finished pot, the film captures the process and creative thought which leads to a work of beauty. Featuring Piipaash Maricopa artist, Ron Carlos, we are allowed into the world of a modern day denizen who is one of a handful of Piipaash artists left in the world. https://vimeo.com/155202760 – Heard Museum via Vimeo

Learn About Ancient Southwestern Sports at the Amerind
Explore the history of indigenous sports and athleticism this month at the Amerind Museum in Dragoon, Arizona. Funded in part by a grant from Arizona Humanities, this program is part of the Fleet of Foot: Indigenous Running and Games from Ancient Times to Today project and seeks to compare commonalities and differences among historically diverse communities. On Saturday, February 20th, from 10:30-11:30 learn about the ancient field hockey game of Toka played by O’odham women, and about kickball played by O’odham men. Discover these sports by watching players from the Tohono O’odham Nation demonstrate the games and participate in a Q&A after. http://bit.ly/1mpDOdk – Amerind Museum

Travelogue – Utah’s Famous Procession Panel
High on a red rock ridge in southeastern Utah lies a petroglyph panel that depicts a fundamental shift in the lives of prehistoric Pueblo peoples. A millennium ago individual ceremonies and rituals gave way to group events. On a massive sandstone wall, 179 carved human figures march in three lines toward a circle that probably represents a great kiva. To stand before the Procession Panel is to feel the power of ancestral Puebloan villagers coming together to dance, sing, feast and to become one. http://bit.ly/1QfuCdQ – Cortez Journal

Crow Canyon Archaeological Center Announces Field School Opportunity
The Crow Canyon Archaeological Center is sponsoring a college-accredited field school May 22nd – June 25th, 2016. The field school is certified as RPA-5 by the Register of Professional Archaeologists. Through immersion in a five-week experiential program, students will learn the fundamental techniques of archaeological site identification and recording, excavation, and basic artifact processing and analyses. Additionally, students will learn instrument surveying and remote sensing surveying techniques. Students will interact with archaeological professionals while conducting fieldwork on the Hatch site, an ancestral Pueblo habitation dating from the Basketmaker III through Pueblo III periods (A.D. 500–1280) and the Haynie site, a Chaco period site with two great houses. For additional information, please visit http://www.crowcanyon.org/index.php/programs-for-college-students or call Dr. Susan Ryan, (970) 564-4381. Priority application deadline is March 7th, 2016.

Archaeology Cafe – Phoenix
Reminder: Digital Archaeology and the Digital Humanities up for the Next Phoenix Archaeology Café. On February 16, 2016, Douglas Gann (Archaeology Southwest) will present “From Data to Digital Humanities Content.” Doug will be speaking about the digital revolution taking place in archaeology today, specifically exploring the use of automated reality capture systems such as laser scanning and photogrammetry to document and share places of the past. We meet in the Aztec Room of Macayo’s Central, 4001 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, near the Indian School light rail stop. Presentations begin after 6:00 p.m. It is best to arrive at about 5:30 p.m. in order to get settled, as seating is open and unreserved, but limited. Archaeology Café is free, but guests are encouraged to order their own refreshments from the menu. http://bit.ly/20DcnDU – Archaeology Southwest

Internship Opportunity – Denver
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science Robert L. Akerley Anthropology Collections Internship is open to currently enrolled, undergraduate, and graduate-level students. The intern will participate in all aspects of anthropological collections management activities related to managing a world-class and extensive material culture collection. Daily duties will vary by project, but the candidate can expect to assist collections management teams in artifact inventory, processing, movement, cataloguing, and data entry. http://bit.ly/1U1nHo5 – Denver Museum of Nature & Science

Lecture Opportunity – Cortez
The Hisatsinom Chapter of the Colorado Archaeology Society is pleased to present Hannah Mattson on Thursday, February 18^th  at 7:00 PM at the Methodist Church, 515 Park Street, Cortez, CO to discuss “Personal Ornaments from Pueblo Bonito and Aztec Ruin: An Examination of Social Identity, Ritual Practice, and Demographic Reorganization.” Hannah willexplore Chacoan identity and practice by examining the social values placed on ornaments from Pueblo Bonito and Aztec Pueblo’s West Ruin. This lecture was originally scheduled for February 2^nd, but had to be rescheduled due to the weather. Contact Kari Schleher at 505-269-4475 with questions.

Lecture Opportunity – Grand Junction
Grand Junction chapter of the Colorado Archaeological Society has a lecture Tuesday, February 16 7-9 PM. Dr. Douglas O’Rourke of Colorado Mesa University will talk and show slides on the Archaeology of Greece. Meet at Houston Hall, Room 138 on the CMU campus. Free and open to the public. For more information visit http://bit.ly/1NYqp6G or call 970-433-4312

Lecture Opportunity – Grand Junction
Grand Junction chapter of the Colorado Archaeological Society has a lecture Thursday, February 18 7-9 PM. David Sucec, founder and director of the Barrier Canyon Art Project will talk and show slides about Barrier Canyon style rock art. The best known example of this style is in Horseshoe Canyon, Canyonlands National Park. Meet at Grand Junction City Council Chambers, 250 N 5th St. Free and open to the public. Small donation is appreciated. For more information visit http://bit.ly/1NYqp6G or call 970-433-4312

Lecture Opportunity: Prescott
On February 27th at 1pm, the Smoki Museum presents Paquimé and the International Four Corners by Dr. Paul Minnis Paquimé (or Casas Grandes) in northwestern Chihuahua was one of the most influential ancient communities in the U.S. Southwest and northwestern Mexico during late prehistory. Was Paquimé grandeur due to its central role in trade between Mesoamerica and the Southwest or were other factors more important?  A renaissance of recent archaeological work in Chihuahua has added more light to this amazing site and culture. Immediately following Dr. Minnis’ lecture, we will gather in the Smoki Museum with Dr. Pat Gillman, who will discuss macaws, birds and their importance in prehistory.  Max the Macaw, from Heritage Park Zoo will join us!  Complimentary reception included with admission.  Native People and Members:  FREE, Adults:  $7, Seniors: $6, Students: $5

Lecture Opportunity – Santa Fe
Southwest Seminars Presents Dr. Matthew Martinez (Oke Owingeh Pueblo), Associate Professor, Pueblo Indian Studies, History and Humanities; Director, Northern Pueblos Institute, Northern New Mexico Community College; Former Director, Indian Higher Education Department, State of New Mexico; and Co-Producer, Silver Bullet Productions: A Thousand Voices: Indigenous Women of New Mexico   who will give a lecture Crosses and Crossroads: History and Culture of Oke Owingeh Pueblo on Feb. 22 at 6pm at Hotel Santa Fe as part of the annual Ancient Sites Ancient Stories Lecture Series. Admission is by subscription or $12 at the door. No reservations are necessary. Refreshments are served. Seating is limited. Contact Connie Eichstaedt tel: 505 466-2775; email:southwestseminar@aol.com; http://bit.ly/YhJddr – Southwest Seminars

Lecture Opportunity – Tucson
On Wednesday, Feb. 17, at 5:30 p.m., Dr. Eric R. Force, Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, will present, “Shake-up! Cultural Impacts of Tectonic Activity in Ancient Complex Societies.” The talk, which will be held at the University of Arizona’s Haury Building, room 216,1099 E. South Campus Dr., Tucson, is cosponsored by the Archaeological Institute of American, the School of Anthropology, and the Departments of History and Classics. http://aiatucson.arizona.edu/

Lecture Opportunity – Tucson
On Thursday, Feb. 17, at 5:30 p.m., Danielle Phelps will present “To Shake or Not to Shake: A New Interpretation of a Devastated Foreign Landscape Depicted at Luxor Temple.” The talk, which will be held at the University of Arizona’s McClelland Building, room 127, is sponsored by the Arizona chapter of the American Research Center in Egypt. http://www.arce.arizona.edu/

Thanks to Cherie Freeman for contributing to this week’s newsletter.