Archaeology Southwest at the Gila River Festival

UPPER GILA ARCHAEOLOGY, OBSIDIAN AND ANCIENT TOOLS 

Field Trip with Karen Schollmeyer & Allen Denoyer, 8:00 a.m. to noon

Participant limit: 30  Fee: $16  Registration required.

Meet at Silver City Visitors’ Center at 7:45 a.m., carpool to the Woodrow Ruin, and return to Visitors’ Center by noon. Travel time: 50 minutes each way

Difficulty level: Moderate.

Join archaeologists Karen Schollmeyer and Allen Denoyer for a tour of the Woodrow Ruin archaeological site and a discussion of archaeology on the Upper Gila. Local archaeology reveals a long record of how humans have both adapted to changes in the environment over time, and have also caused some changes in local landscapes and plant and animal communities.

Karen will discuss how the unique archaeology of the Upper Gila reveals ancient strategies for handling environmental and social changes. Allen will demonstrate flintknapping techniques for creating points and other tools out of local Mule Creek obsidian, an important tool stone whose movement along trade networks across the Southwest reveals important information about social connections among ancient communities.

Allen will replicate tools using ancient techniques and locally obtained obsidian nodules. We will also have replica tools for participants to try, including atlatls (a projectile weapon) and other tools Upper Gila residents used in ancient times.

Please wear comfortable closed-toed shoes and bring plenty of water and sun protection. The Woodrow Ruin has no shade.