Southwest Archaeology Today for Oct. 23, 2006

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

– Erosion Threatening Inscriptions at El Morro National Monument: In the next few years El Morro National Monument Superintendent Kayci Collins said she will be facing a difficult decision. Part of the ancient and historical inscriptions on the sandstone cliff are on the northeast face of the site on the 1,278 acres of the monument. It is from this direction that the elements heat, cold, wind, rain, sleet, hail and snow batter the cliffs year round. “Erosion is the biggest enemy,” she said, about preserving the inscriptions for future generations. (Editor’s Note: The Center for Desert Archaeology is partnering with Statistical Research Inc. to begin a multi-year rock art documentation project that will use LIDAR scanning and three dimensional modeling to gauge impacts of erosion at El Morrow. Laser scanning of the inscription panels begins Thursday, Oct26th. Images from this project will be posted on the Center’s website in the following weeks).
http://www.gallupindependent.com/2006/oct/102106jt_elmorrotoll.html

– Prescott will not prosecute New Mexicans who were “Hunting” Billy The Kid’s Remains: Prosecutors won’t seek charges against people who exhumed the remains of a man who claimed to be the outlaw Billy the Kid. Former Lincoln County, N.M., sheriff Tom Sullivan, former Capitan, N.M., mayor Steve Sederwall and others dug up the bones of John Miller and the remains of the man buried next to him at the state-owned Pioneers’ Home Cemetery in Prescott in May 2005.
http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/152358.php

– Native Dye Seen as a Potential Alternative Crop: For centuries, Native American and Spanish weavers dyed wool an array of colors using parts of native plants. Each weaver knew where to find the plants to harvest for the desired colors. “The weaver would go out and find the plants growing wild, and harvest the blossoms, leaves or root to make their dyes,” said Katy Blanchard of New Mexico Fiber Artisans.
http://www.demingheadlight.com/news/ci_4519367

– Tombtone Celebrates its Famous Gunfight: Even now, 125 years and dozens of books and films later, no one is sure who fired the first shot. But what happened in the next 30 seconds would become the most famous shootout in history while securing the future of a small Arizona mining town, where the event is replayed 363 times a year (skipping Thanksgiving and Christmas).
http://tinyurl.com/yko946 – Arizona Republic

– Anasazi Heritage Center Closed Oct. 23-24: The Bureau of Land Management-Anasazi Heritage Center and the trail to Escalante Pueblo will be closed to the public for two days from Monday, October 23 through Tuesday, October 24, 2006 for unexpected maintenance. The center expects to re-open to the public on Wednesday, October 25 at 9:00 a.m. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by this closure. Canyons of the Ancients National Monument remains open for visitation. Information about visiting the monument is available at the Colorado Welcome Center in Cortez or the new Dolores Public Lands Office on Highway 184 during the closure.

– Tour Opportunity: Old Pueblo Archaeolgy Center fundraising tour from Tucson. Fort Huachuca Historic Homes Open House and Coronado National Memorial. Saturday, December 2 – Sunday, December 3, 2006. En route stops at Amerind Foundation Museum and Singing WInd Book Shop in Benson. Overnight in Sierra Vista at the Windemere Hotel. Tour fee includes a donation to Old Pueblo Archaeology, transportation by van, lodging, and all ent rance fees. $199 per person. 520-798-1201 or info@oldpueblo.org or
http://www.oldpueblo.org