2022
15
Mar
Respect the Great Bend of the Gila
Dear Friends,
Tucson has a magnificent Festival of Books that returned in-person on the University of Arizona mall last weekend. Archaeology Southwest had a booth, and I spent the afternoon in near-constant conversation with many people who are avidly pursuing knowledge, insight, entertainment,...
more
2022
08
Feb
Comments on Greater Chaco 10-Mile Protection Zone Due by April 6
Dear Friends,
Feedback.
My cat brought the word home to me in a very literal way yesterday morning. Ah, yes. Cats, those sleep-prone animals, tend to have delicate stomachs. You really don’t want their, uhm, feedback.
And a week or so ago, a (former) reader of Preservation Archaeology Tod...
more
2022
01
Feb
Utah Diné Bikéyah Celebrates Ten Years
Dear Friends,
I find that even a tiny surprise can fuel an adrenalin boost. Please indulge my personal bird boost.
Last night, Dr. Katelyn Bishop presented a wonderful Archaeology Café (video coming soon) on the importance of birds in Chaco Canyon. A day earlier, Katelyn had logged in with us...
more
2021
02
Nov
Lifeways of the Little Colorado River
Dear Friends,
“It’s impolite to talk behind someone’s back” is a phrase I’ve heard since I was a youngster. (Let’s not talk about how long ago that’s been…)
So I guess I’m going to be impolite today.
Skylar Begay, who began his work with Archaeology Southwest in Janu...
more
2021
10
Aug
“Now is the time to celebrate America’s public lands…”
Dear Friends,
It would be interesting to ask today’s residents of cities in the US Southwest a simple question: “When was the last time you visited an archaeological site?” I predict many wrong answers. Many people would say “never,” and many more would try to recall when they last visi...
more
2021
27
Jul
Continuing Coverage: Unauthorized Drilling at Petroglyph Site
Dear Friends,
I like to maintain a balance in my life.
Last week I endured six days of cool ocean breezes in San Diego. When you read this, I will be driving west from Tucson.
Balance will be achieved via two days in Las Vegas and one in Yuma…
Our current, unexpectedly generous...
more
2021
30
Mar
As Women’s History Month Ends, Celebrate Women Archaeologists—and Consider the Future
Dear Friends:
Paul Reed here! I’m stepping in for Bill this week to share some Greater Chaco news.
Despite some recent media reports, the situation across the Greater Chaco Landscape is looking up. In addition to the confirmation of Deb Haaland as Interior Secretary, two recent developments ...
more
2020
17
Nov
Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition Ready to Work with New Administration
Dear Friends,
How do you know when you have the perfect job?
For me, it’s when you get home after an 11-hour day and you’re relaxed, energized, and ready to face the ever-mounting challenges to Archaeology Southwest’s Preservation Archaeology mission.
I left home just before 7:00 a.m....
more
2020
10
Nov
Interior Appropriations Bill Excludes Chaco Protections
Dear Friends,
Weeks are longer than they used to be. I can barely remember the geologic era of the last time I sat down on a Tuesday evening to write to you.
That’s the problem with archaeologists: We expect time to be linear.
Sometimes, it can be helpful to consider the antitheses ...
more
2020
06
Oct
Identifying Sites and Resources in Greater Chaco
Dear Friends,
I was pleased to see a major new initiative by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation called the Monuments Project. Mellon has allocated $250 million over the next five years to this effort.
From what I gather, the focus is likely to favor urban settings. According to the New York Times...
more
2020
11
Sep
Connections to Place: An Interview with Todd Scissons
Stacy Ryan, Preservation Archaeologist, with Todd Scissons, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Pueblo of Acoma
(September 11, 2020)—Several months ago, I attended a webinar that focused on efforts to stop vandalism at archaeological sites and heard Todd Scissons, the Tribal Historic Preser...
more
2020
08
Sep
George Frison Passes
Dear Friends,
Less than three months ago, my note to you linked to a blog post I published on June 17 that called on conscientious individuals and organizations to do more than simply post statements of support for Black Lives Matter. Compared to the magnitude of confronting America’s systemi...
more
Show More