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Gila River Archaeology and Ancient Technologies Field Trip with Karen Schollmeyer and Allen Denoyer
September 20, 1:00-5:00 p.m. Participant limit: 30 Fee: $18
Meet at the Murray Ryan Visitor Center at 12:45 p.m., and drive to the Gila River Farm and archaeology field camp in Cliff, New Mexico. Travel time: about 45 minutes each way.
Join archaeologists Karen Schollmeyer and Allen Denoyer for a tour of the Gila River Farm archaeological site and hear about the latest discoveries from their 2018 excavations there. Karen will discuss unique archaeology of the Upper Gila and what we’ve learned about successful social and environmental adaptations to this environment from the 14th-century adobe rooms buried at this site. We’ll proceed to our team’s summer field camp outside Cliff, where we’ve been building a replica of a 14th-century adobe structure. Participants will explore the structure and try some ancient technologies for themselves, including atlatls (a projectile weapon) and other tools Upper Gila residents used in ancient times. Allen will demonstrate flintknapping techniques for creating points and other tools out of local obsidian and other stone types. Please wear comfortable closed-toed shoes and bring water and sun protection.
Difficulty: ¼-mile walk on uneven ground in full sun. Bathrooms and shade are available near both locations. Please bring hat, water, sunscreen, and sturdy walking shoes.
