Archaeology Café Starts Fifth Season in Tucson

Archaeology Café Starts Fifth Season in Tucson
At the first café of our fifth season, Demion Clinco and Helen Erickson of the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation will share information about the latest developments in downtown preservation projects, with a special focus on efforts to preserve the work of renowned landscape architect Garrett Eckbo.  We gather after 5:00 p.m., and presentations begin by 6:15 p.m. Outdoor seating is open and unreserved, but limited. Share tables and make new friends! https://www.archaeologysouthwest.org/what-we-do/events/arch-cafe/

Phoenix Archaeology Cafés Coming Soon
Archaeology Southwest and Macayo’s Central welcome you to the pilot season of Archaeology Café in Phoenix. This is an informal forum where adults can learn more about the Southwest’s deep history and speak directly to experts. We have based Archaeology Café on the science pub or science cafe model that developed in Europe and quickly spread to major American cities. At Archaeology Café, we break down the static, jargon-laden dynamic of traditional lectures, and have an expert share some ideas with the group in ways that get discussion going. (Food and drink make things a little livelier, too.) https://www.archaeologysouthwest.org/what-we-do/events/arch-cafe/archaeology-cafe-phoenix/

Historic Preservation in Small Towns Remains a Challenging Process
The wrecking ball often swings faster in smaller cities trying to save history, preservationists and local leaders say. Money, know-how, constantly changing priorities and new residents with shallow roots in the community often hinder efforts to protect historic architecture and cultural sites. The dilemma leaves longtime residents disappointed and frustrates efforts to save local landmarks. http://www.azcentral.com/community/peoria/articles/2012/08/24/20120824small-cities-historic-preservation.html#ixzz25LtJUO2E

Historic Santa Fe Foundation Cited for Preservation Violation
A nonprofit that advocates for historic preservation in Santa Fe ran into trouble last week with city code enforcers. Land Use Director Matt O’Reilly said the Historic Santa Fe Foundation got “red-tagged” for unpermitted work on a fence at its historic El Zaguán compound on Canyon Road. The organization had planned to repair a fence that is more than a century old but ended up removing enough original material that it should have sought approval from the city’s Historic Districts Review Board, O’Reilly said Monday. Code enforcement officers issued a notice halting all work pending proper application and approval. http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/082912historicredtag

Architectural Damage at Cliff Palace Linked to Geological Fault Beneath Mesa Verde
A fault line running beneath Mesa Verde National Park could endanger one of its most impressive and most-visited sites. Archaeologists first noticed a crack in the Cliff Palace, an ancient Puebloan site dating back to about 1190 C.E., earlier this spring. Archaeologists noticed the crack had made its way into some of the masonry and later discovered that the northern wall had a slight lean. http://www.daily-times.com/farmington-news/ci_21401948/mesa-verde-site-threatened-by-fault?source=rss

Zuni Middle School Students Introduced to Archaeological Research
Twenty-four Zuni middle school students will experience what it’s like to be an archeologist this week, Aug. 26-29, while participating in a hands-on field school that is connected with the PBS prime-time archaeologist television series, “Time Team America.” “We want to inspire the next generation of archaeologists and scientists,” explained Dr. Alexandra Jones, field school director, “especially populations that are under-represented in the sciences.” http://www.cibolabeacon.com/news/zuni-students-plunge-into–day-archaeology-adventure/article_f5b0d2de-f0b5-11e1-83b5-001a4bcf887a.html

Mexican Archaeologists Protesting Disrespectful Treatment of Ancient Monuments
Mexicans are taught to revere their pre-Columbian roots. So some archaeologists are outraged by what they view as the government’s failure to safeguard the nation’s Mayan palaces and Aztec pyramids. A recent decision by the government to erect a glass-and-steel facade on a portion of the historic Fort of Guadalupe in Puebla in time for the Sept. 15 Mexican independence celebrations was the last straw. The archaeologists have occupied Mexico’s prestigious National Museum of Anthropology, telling visitors that taking liberties with federally protected buildings was becoming commonplace. http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/controversy-in-mexico-over-changes-to-and-use-of-mayan-palaces-aztec-pyramids/2012/08/28/e1c8861a-ee1a-11e1-b0eb-dac6b50187ad_story.html

Lecture Opportunity – Santa Fe
Southwest Seminars will host speaker Dr. Maxine McBrinn on Monday, September 3 at 6pm at Hotel Santa Fe in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The lecture is open to the public and admission is $12 per person, including refreshments. The lecture topic is Ancient Marriage Patterns and Material Culture in the Northern Southwest: A Pueblo/Fremont Case. The lecture is part of the Southwest Seminars Native Culture Matters Lecture Series held weekly on Monday nights. Contact Connie Eichstaedt at 505 466-2775 for information.