Southwest Archaeology Today for Feb. 27, 2006

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

– Old Pueblo Archaeology Offers Hands-On Archaeological Experiences: “It was absolutely a wonderful experience,” says Dema Gard, a teacher at a Montessori Education Center in Mesa. Gard took a group of children to the site in the fall. “They learned a lot about how to appreciate artifacts and how careful they have to be when digging.” Located in Marana, the site is being excavated by Old Pueblo Archaeology, a nonprofit group working to protect archaeological sites. . It’s one of the oldest ongoing digs in the state, says Allen Dart, director of the group. There is no cost to watch the archaeologists work. And for $38, you can actually get down in the dirt and search for artifacts beside the experts.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=59848
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/news/local/022506a4_archeology_cut

– Architectural Salvage as Preservation’s Last Resort: In a year when we celebrated the reopening of the gorgeous, 75-year-old Art Deco Fox Theatre in Tucson, we should probably be satisfied with saving pieces of a 40-year-old hospital whose modern architecture struck many as bland, if not downright ugly. Sun Belt progress has laid waste to century-old neighborhoods in the Old Pueblo. Tucson General Hospital, which stood for only 40 years on North Campbell Avenue, didn’t stand a chance. Parts of the golden sunshade from the south face of the hospital, though, were salvaged and will be affixed to a new education building at Reid Park Zoo – a partial victory for preservationists who wanted to save the entire building.
http://www.azstarnet.com/dailystar/allheadlines/117427.php

– Travel/Heritage Tourism – An Archaeological Spring Break: Let the spring break crowd get their party started in Cancun, Las Vegas and Panama City, Fla., you’ve got better places to play, like Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Wyoming.
http://tinyurl.com/r6oqd – The Coloradoan

– Arizona Archaeology Month Expo: Arizona Archaeology Month Expo at Tubac Presidio State Historical Park. Friday March 3 & Saturday March 4, 2006. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. In the Tubac Presidio compound. Open to the public with free admission. Learn about archaeological research and education projects being conducted throughout Arizona. Lots of displays and hands-on activities for all ages. Booths, refreshments, tours, raffles, crafts, entertainment, etc. Over 40 organizations will be represented. For more information, call the State Historic Preservation Office at 602-542-7138.