Preservation Archaeology Today

Preservation Archaeology Today (PAT) is a free, weekly e-mail news digest. In addition to sharing regional archaeology news, events, opportunities, and publications, PAT connects readers with news and commentary on U.S. public lands policy, global heritage protection and preservation, and the peopling of the North and South American continents. Review our submission guidelines here.

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Banner image: Paul Vanderveen

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More-than-a-Conversation with Sec. Haaland

Dear Friends, The phrase “you are the company you keep” and its variants are so common that it is difficult to pin down a precise origin. Philosophers, theologians, parents, coaches, and sages have all used the aphorism when teaching others. Why do I bring it up here and now? Archaeology S...

Schwartz Appointed as City of Phoenix Archaeologist

Dear Friends, As Bob Dylan sang in 1964, “The times they are a-changing.” It’s a truism, but one that rings truer in that there is more change in some moments than others. Over the past week, the archaeological and cultural heritage spaces in which Archaeology Southwest operates have wit...

New Study Sheds Some Light on Canid-Human Relations

Dear Friends, Earlier this week we wrapped up the first half of our 2024–2025 Archaeology Café series on the archaeology of dogs with an amazing lecture by Audrey T. Lin of the American Museum of Natural History. Her presentation, “The History of Coast Salish Woolly Dogs,” focused on resea...

In Memoriam: John Douglass

Dear Friends, It’s been a busy few weeks here at Archaeology Southwest! From research to outreach, site preservation to advocacy, administration to planning, there’s been a lot of everything lately. As we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday and a one-week break from this newsletter, I wanted...

Yucca House National Monument Expands

Dear Friends, Last week Archaeology Southwest Vice President of Communications & Outreach (and editor of this newsletter) Kate Sarther received an inquiry from a national reporter who wanted to know our thoughts on possible threats to landscape and cultural heritage preservation efforts under...

Mesa Grande Cultural Park Is Now Sce:dagĭ Mu:val Va’aki

Dear Friends, What a difference a week makes. One day I’m able to see humor in the archaeology and culture history of cheese. The next week, not so much. To get some fresh air and clear my head, I took a long walk to the University of Arizona campus and back. I walked east from my house, awa...

Gathering Firewood—and Redefining Land Stewardship—at Bears Ears

Dear Friends, In order to maintain my sanity, especially lately, I have to laugh. Every day. I crave the physiological, emotional, and social release that comes from a good, collective belly laugh. I need to commune with others who have similar senses of humor. A story came across my newsfeed thi...

Jemez Pueblo to Secure Right to Use Lands in Valles Caldera

Dear Friends, I didn’t expect to be thinking or writing about fences this week, but such is the nature of our work and conversations at Archaeology Southwest! Last week, Vice President of Preservation and Collaboration John Welch traveled to Mattocks Pueblo in the Mimbres Valley of southwest...

Oct. 19 Is International Archaeology Day

Dear Friends, Let me tell you about 36 hours in the best CEO job in the world! This past Monday and Tuesday I had two outstanding days full of Archaeology Southwest goodness. EARLY on Monday morning, I flew into Phoenix from Denver with my good friend Rick Wicker. I’ve made that flight many ...

Where to Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2024

Dear Friends, Preservation Archaeologist and Field School Director Karen Schollmeyer here! Steve asked me to step in for him this week while he is recovering from Covid. This year marks the 50th anniversary of an important event in the archaeology of the US Southwest: the Mimbres Foundation’...

The NHPA in Federal Court, Again

Dear Friends, On Tuesday, October 2, we held the first Archaeology Café of the season, and it was a smashing success! It was great fun to see old friends and make some new ones. Archaeologist R. E. Burrillo presented “Celebrating the Song Dogs,” a fascinating lecture on coyotes and the ar...

Geoglyphs in Chile Destroyed

Dear Friends, Archaeology Southwest (ASW) practices Preservation Archaeology, a holistic, collaborative, and conservation-based approach to exploring and protecting heritage places while honoring their diverse values. This mantra applies to and guides all of our research, preservation, outreach, ...

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