Chaco Digital Archive Demonstrates Best Practices in Open Access Archaeology

Chaco Digital Archive Demonstrates Best Practices in Open Access Archaeology
How can we effectively convey information on the process of the excavation, the importance of theory and method, and the way in which general historical trends are interpreted from specific artifacts? It is time to open our field notebooks and laptops, and make it accessible online. There are a number of examples of this occurring but two famous sites in particular have recently opened their archaeological doors: Chaco Canyon and Chichen Itza.
http://www.pasthorizons.com/index.php/archives/03/2011/open-access-archaeology

NAU Archaeology Professor Safe After Kidnapping in Ciudad Juarez
A Northern Arizona University professor is reported to be safe and back with her family in Mexico after being briefly kidnapped. School officials said Saturday that Veronica Perez Rodriguez was the victim of a kidnapping late Friday while visiting family members in Ciudad Juarez. http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/crime/apx-AZNAU-Professor-Kidnapped_67058277-03122011

Ancient Cave and Rock Shelter Sites Documented in Northern Baja California
Eight archaeological sites, some of them occupied 8,000 years ago by nomadic groups, were discovered by archaeologists from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) in the municipality of Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.  The previously unknown sites came to light during recent archaeological salvage work carried out due to the upgrading of  the San Felipe-Laguna Chapala highway. http://www.pasthorizons.com/index.php/archives/03/2011/archaeologists-find-nomadic-camps-in-baja-california

The First Order of Business in This Weekend’s Reopening of Homol’ovi Ruins State Park Will be a Name Change
Members of the State Parks Board will meet at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 17, in the Winslow City Council Chambers to discuss the proposed name change. Members of the public are encouraged to attend and provide input.Parks representative Ellen Bilbrey noted that the name change is being considered at the request of the Hopi Tribe, and that so far, public comments submitted to the board have supported the change. “Staff is recommending it,” she remarked. “All responses have been very supportive.” http://www.azjournal.com/2011/03/09/three-day-celebration-will-mark-re-opening-of-homolovi-park/

Preservation Efforts on Northwestern Arizona Mining Camp Help Save an Important Place of our Past
Volunteers have put roofs on old miners’ boarding houses at a popular eastern Arizona historical site. The volunteers from Lake Havasu City and elsewhere worked every Friday between October and April for three years on the project at Swansea Townsite and Mine east of Parker. http://www.fox11az.com/news/local/117593638.html

Preservationists Question BLM Procedures in Demolition of  Nevada Mill
The federal Advisory Council on Historic Preservation in December asked BLM to explain why it decided to destroy the mill apparently without following historic preservation regulations. Bureau of Land Management officials responded last month that there may have been some “misunderstandings” and “procedural errors” involved, but that the process of deciding the mill’s fate was open and inclusive. http://www.rgj.com/article/20110306/NEWS/103060355/1321/news

Chimney Rock Nomination for National Monument Status Proceeds
Chimney Rock may be on track to becoming a national monument with legislation slated to be introduced in Congress today. The bill would affect the twin rock spires and the surrounding Native American archaeological site, an area encompassing about 4,700 acres. U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet will introduce the bill, with U.S. Sen. Mark Udall signing on as an original co-sponsor. Both are Colorado Democrats. http://durangoherald.com/article/20110308/NEWS01/703089936/-1/s

Historic Utah Ranch For Sale, but Potential New Owners Will Need a Strong Conservation Ethic
There are numerous historic sites on the property including pre-historic Anasazi ruins and the pioneer settlement of Shunesburg explored by John Wesley Powell in 1872 as part of western surveys conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey. According to listing ranch broker Ken Mirr of Mirr Ranch Group, Trees and his partner worked to maintain the abundant natural, agricultural, recreational, historical and cultural resources of the ranch. The heirs of the founding owners are seeking buyers who will continue this tradition of exemplary stewardship. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/03/09/prweb5144044.DTL

Historic Mexican Settlement Found Near San Fransisco Presidio
The El Polin settlements were on the main trail that extended from El Presidio to Mission Dolores. These were the only established settlements at the time, which was around the 1810’s. Under Mexico rule, El Presidio housed the Mexican governor of California. “That’s why it so important,” Jones said. “At this time you were either a soldier or a missionary.”  http://www.baycitizen.org/history/story/archaeologists-uncover-historic-mexican/

Army Corps of Engineers’ Digital Bibliography of Books and Film Concerning Native Americans Published as Free PDF
The selection of works has been limited while attempting to provide a glimpse at many of the issues pertaining to Native America. I hope this bibliography serves to inform, educate and arouse the readers so that the readers can become advocates, supporters, mediators, or vanguards on American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian issues. The movie list runs the gamete from short to longer films, documentaries to television series to movies produced by American Indians. The books list are added because fellow Corps staff members believed the books were of importance, significance, interest, or enlightening. http://usace.army.mil/CECW/TribalIssues/Documents/biblio_final.pdf

National Register Update
Congratulations to Temple Beth Israel in Phoenix and Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Albuquerque for their new listings on the National Register of Historic Places.

Travelogue: Spring Training on Native Lands
Salt River Fields, the new spring home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies, is the first major league facility to be built on Native American land – the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC), which borders Scottsdale and is just across the 101 freeway from the community’s six-month-old Talking Stick Resort. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2011/03/04/ST2011030402899.html?sid=ST2011030402899

Final Planning Meeting for Arizona Archaeology Expo Scheduled for March 24
Please come and share your ideas as the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) finalizes planning for the 2011 Arizona Archaeology Expo that will be held on March 26-27, 2011 at the Deer Valley Rock Art Center (Center) in north Phoenix.  At these last planning meeting, we will be finalizing programming, publicity, lay-out and other logistics. Thank you to all of those who have volunteered to participate in this important public education opportunity.  You should be receiving your detailed information packets in the mail by March 14th.

Employment Opportunity (NW New Mexico)
Aztec Archaeological Consultants, LLC is hiring immediately for the position of Field Supervisor/Project Director.  This is a seasonal position with the option for permanent staff assignment based on performance review.  Salary range $17.00 to $21.00/hr DOE.  Requirements:  MA in archaeology, RPA preferred, extensive experience writing and producing technical reports (a sample of writing will be required prior to consideration of employment), must hold a current BLM permit for Northwestern New Mexico and Dinetah as well as listing as Project Director for State of NM.  Additional permits are a plus.  Must have an excellent record of completing projects accurately and in a timely fashion.  Please send resume, along with a sample of writing to caterj@aztecarchaeology.com.

Thanks to Gerald Kelso for contributions to this week’s issue of Southwest Archaeology Today.