Understanding the Chaco World

New Paper: Chaco Social Networks
Migration was a key social process contributing to the creation of the ‘Chaco World’ between AD 800 and 1200. Dynamic social network analysis allows for evaluation of several migration scenarios, and demonstrates that Chaco’s earliest ninth-century networks show interaction with areas to the west and south, rather than migration to the Canyon from the Northern San Juan. By the late eleventh century, Chaco Canyon was tied strongly to the Middle and Northern San Juan, while a twelfth-century retraction of networks separated the Northern and Southern San Juan areas prior to regional depopulation. Understanding Chaco migration is important for comprehending both its uniqueness in U.S. Southwest archaeology and for comparison with other case studies worldwide. http://bit.ly/2MEcfU3 — Antiquity

Sen. Heinrich’s Statement on Greater Chaco Landscape before Senate Subcommittee
“For a number of years now, there has been an understanding between the BLM, the industry, local communities, tribes, and historic preservation advocates that no development would happen within 10 miles of the park boundary, in order to minimize impacts on the park, its viewshed, and related cultural resources. This legislation formalizes that agreement. It is an important piece of a complete solution to protecting the Greater Chaco Landscape, and I look forward to hearing from the Bureau of Land Management today about the agency’s plans for this region.” http://bit.ly/2LyR8x6 — heinrich.senate.gov

Commentary: Beleaguered Land and Water Conservation Fund Also Supports Cultural Landscapes
What do Chaco Cultural National Historical Park, Bandelier National Monument, and Santa Fe’s Candelero and Solano parks all have in common? They all received support and funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. For more than 50 years, the Land and Water Conservation Fund has been one of our country’s most successful conservation programs. http://bit.ly/2PbiA6l — Santa Fe New Mexican

Spotlight on Arizona’s Native American Farms
Stephanie Sauceda, interim general manager for Gila River Farms, said the farm is the original test site funded by the federal government to grow and harvest extra-long staple pima cotton, which is considered a superior strain. Farming extends back centuries for indigenous people, she said. “It was just something that Native American people do, not only in Gila River, but also in other tribes. That’s how we survived,” Sauceda said. “We did the hunting of the animals, we grew our corn and our wheat, and that’s how we actually survived – how our ancestors survived.” http://bit.ly/2BTkiHE — Cronkite News

Commentary: The True Meaning of the Antiquities Act
Before visiting the Grand Canyon, I traveled to the Ute Indian Museum in Montrose, Colorado. I went there to see the museum’s then education director, Regina Lopez-Whiteskunk, who had been a councilwoman of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe during the years-long campaign to establish the [Bears Ears] monument. As we sat down in her office, I told her about a conservative friend of mine who had said that what he really objected to was the fact that saving land like Bears Ears was “not what the Antiquities Act was meant for in the first place.” She laughed. “I’d like to talk to him,” she said. http://bit.ly/2C8Pp2j — Sierra

Commentary: Retired NPS Superintendent Dabney Says Parks Are under Attack
However, when the administration introduced their “energy dominance” agenda, our national parks came under attack. Leasing has been proposed adjacent or in close proximity to Chaco Culture National Historical Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and Canyonlands National Park — just to name a few. Some of these parks have been spared the ugliness of visible energy development due to widespread outcry, including from nearby communities, elected officials, and the National Park Service. Yet, as the threats to our parks increase, it is becoming more and more difficult for members of the public to be heard, as the minimum number of days for public input to be heard has been cut to just ten days. http://bit.ly/2BXjkKF — Salt Lake Tribune

Job Opportunity, Las Cruces NM
DMG Four Corners Research, out of Las Cruces, NM, is seeking to fill a Crew Chief/Field Supervisor position. Applicant must be permitted in the NW and/or SE BLM permit areas for ongoing and new contracts. Field responsibilities include cultural resource survey/Section 106 compliance and post fieldwork responsibilities include site write-ups, production of site forms, and contributions to report chapters. Field experience within all areas of NM is preferred; technical writing experience is a must. Full-time position available pending performance. Must be available to camp for 8-day sessions; per diem paid. Four Corners Research pays fair wages comparable to SCA wages. Please contact Justin Greenwald at jgreenwald@4cornersresearch.com or 575-323-3271 for details. Please include your resume/CV and BLM Experience Chart with email submission.

Imbibing Opportunity, Aztec Ruins National Monument NM
On September 11, join an archeologist Park Ranger for a taste of history, “Cacao with a Ranger”. The tradition of sharing stories while gathered around a shared beverage will continue at Aztec Ruins, connecting culture to culinary history. Cacao does not grow in the Southwest, so remnants of a cacao drink found by researchers in ancestral Pueblo pottery provided yet another tantalizing trading connection with central Mexico. The story of the arrival of cacao and its impact in ancestral Pueblo, Mayan and Aztec (Mexico) culture will be shared in this unique event. Taste a modern version of this historic drink and share some conversation with a park ranger, all within view of the Aztec West great house. For more information, email azru_information@nps.gov, or call 505-334-6174. Light jackets are recommended. Ingredient information and the recipe for Hot Cacao will be available at the event. http://bit.ly/2BVGQYe

Lecture Opportunity, Santa Fe NM
Southwest Seminars Presents Ricardo Caté (Santo Domingo Pueblo), Humorist, Cartoon Artist of Without Reservations, and Comedian who will deliver the stand-up comedy routine Here to Make You Laugh at 6pm on September 3 at Hotel Santa Fe as part of the annual Native Culture Matters Lecture Series. Admission is by subscription or $15 at the door. No reservations are necessary. Refreshments are served. Seating is limited. Contact Connie Eichstaedt at tel: 505 466-2775; email: southwestseminar@aol.com; southwestseminars.org

Lecture Opportunity, Cave Creek AZ
On September 12, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, at no charge, J. Scott Wood will speak on Goat Camp Ruin. It contains about 30 masonry rooms and other surface structures sitting on top of what was probably the largest pithouse village in the Payson area. The currently assumed occupation is approximately 750 to 1280 CE and the site appears to have been founded as a Hohokam colony that later became a significant part of local culture, though it was eventually surpassed in size and importance by Shoofly and Risser ruins. In this presentation, Scott provides a report on recent activities and findings at Goat Camp as well as plans for the future. The meeting is held in the community building (Maitland Hall) at The Good Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church, 6502 East Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, AZ 85331 (near the Dairy Queen). www.azarchsoc.wildapricot.org/desertfoothills

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