Southwest Archaeology Today for Nov. 19, 2005

Archaeology Making the News – A Service of the Center for Desert Archaeology

– Deadline Approaching for Nominations from the Texas Historical Commission’s Historic Preservation Awards: he Texas Historical Com-mission (THC) is currently accepting nominations for the agency’s historic preservation awards. The THC annually honors individuals, groups and institutions that have made outstanding contributions to the preservation of Texas’ prehistoric and historic past. Nominations must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Dec. 9. All awards, except the Governor’s Award, will be presented during the THC’s Annual Historic Preservation Conference April 20-22 in Galveston. The Governor’s Award is presented in a separate ceremony. For more information, contact the THC’s History Programs Division at (512) 463-5853 or visit
http://www.thc.state.tx.us.
http://sweetwaterreporter.com/articles/2005/11/18/news/news3.txt

– Arizona State Museum Roadshow Called Priceless: They came to the Arizona State Museum in Tucson by the hundreds last weekend, with carts loaded with Native American things, stuff packed in wooden crates, bulging bags, even metal lunch boxes filled with jewelry. Some things they bought, at auctions or trading posts. Some were gifts. Some were handed down from grandparents. Some were bought as investments, with dreams of rising values. Others were loved for their beauty alone.
http://tinyurl.com/7zyq5 – the Arizona Republic

– Taliesin West Moving towards Historic Designation: One of Scottsdale’s oldest building complexes is officially progressing toward becoming a historical site. The city’s Historic Preservation Commission recently agreed to initiate a proposal that could put Taliesin West on Scottsdale’s historical register by the end of March. The project has been in the works for close to two years.
http://tinyurl.com/8nbzt – the Arizona Republic

– Bill introduced to Declare San Luis Valley a National Heritage Area (Colorado):
U.S. Rep. John Salazar, representing Colorado’s 3rd District, yesterday introduced legislation in the House to designate an area of the San Luis Valley as the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area. “The Valley is the crossroads of many cultures and has been home to generations of Spanish, Anglo, and Native American people,” said Salazar. “This designation will help preserve the unique history of the area and is a way for the community to appreciate its own heritage.” The purpose of the designation is assist in preserving and developing historical, cultural, scenic, and natural resources in the area, which includes Alamo-sa, Conejos, and Costilla counties, as well as the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge, the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, and the Baca National Wildlife Refuge. There are 27 National Heritage Areas in the United States, including the Cache la Poudre in northern Colorado, one of only two in the West.
http://www.alamosanews.com/main.php?story_id=8732&page=39

– Casa Grande National Park is Looking for a New Superintendent (Submitted by Brian Kenny): Usajobs.opm.gov has a new announcement out this morning — they are looking for a new Superintendent for Casa Grande National Monument – Park Manager/Program Manager (Superintendent) SALARY RANGE: 72,035.00 – 93,643.00 USD per year OPEN PERIOD: Friday, November 18, 2005 to Friday, December 16, 2005. The first announcement says it’s “open” recruitment to the public, but the details of the job announcement say “career status applicants” only (Since the announcement is posted twice, I wonder if there will be a revision clarifying the situation?). If you are interested, keep an eye on this announcement. Note, however, even if the position does open to the public, such a position might be hard to crack without NPS experience.

– World Archaeology News (Mesoamerica) – Mayan Site Contains Evidence of the Ritual Killings of Ruling Class: Archeologists excavating the ruined Guatemalan city of Cancuen have stumbled across the remains of what they believe is one of the pivotal events in the collapse of the Maya civilization – the desperate defense of the once-great trading center and the ritual execution of at least 45 members of its royal court. An enemy as yet unknown not only wiped out the royal dynasty about AD 800, but systematically eliminated religious and cultural artifacts – in effect, killing the city and leaving it abandoned to the elements, according to new research announced Wednesday.
http://tinyurl.com/cloez – National Geographic
http://tinyurl.com/bklra – Los Angeles Times
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/11/17/news/maya.php
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5016293&ft=1&f=1007

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