Dear Friends,
This past weekend, I drove to Cortez, Colorado, to attend a beautiful celebration of Dr. William (Bill) Lipe’s life. Bill passed away on April 9, 2025, about a month shy of his 90th birthday. He lived a remarkably full life, as a person and an archaeologist.
The event took place under an event-tent on the fragrant (sagebrush, creosote) campus of Crow Canyon Archaeological Center (CCAC) northwest of town. Crow Canyon was in many ways a second home for Bill, and indeed his entire family. He spent decades there while also working at the State University of New York at Binghamton and Washington State University, among other institutions. In addition to being deeply involved in CCAC’s research, Bill served on their board for three decades.
I didn’t know Bill well, but we crossed paths many times over the years, and he was always gracious, kind, and thoughtful in our conservations. Everyone I’ve ever heard speak about him relays the same. He was a dedicated, warm, witty, and thorough correspondent, Kate Sarther and others tell me.
As I scanned the audience during the many speeches, I saw dozens and dozens of notable Southwestern archaeologists smiling in fond remembrance. It was a crisp day—sunny and in the 70s—but then a summer rainstorm broke over us. Most attendees rejoiced at this good omen. Apparently, Bill used to say (and I paraphrase here), “The desert never wastes a good rain.”
My journey to Cortez included stops at Arizona State University, the Museum of Northern Arizona, and Northern Arizona University, where I met with colleagues and friends to discuss the state of Preservation Archaeology in 2025. I made some new friends, saw people I hadn’t seen in 30 years, and strengthened my conviction that face-to-face communication is critically important in our digital world.
I avoided the interstates as much as possible, driving the backroads that William Least Heat Moon notably called “Blue Highways” in his eponymous best-selling book from 1982. (If you haven’t read it, you’re in for a treat!)
From the static turbulence of sandstone dune formations in Tsegi Canyon to the disperse herd of sinister cinder cones that dot the landscape east of Flagstaff, the blue highways never cease to entertain. From the vertical chasm-walls of Canyon de Chelly to the majesty of Shiprock and her radiant volcanic dikes, it’s a world-class landscape that merges geological time with our modern world.
I encountered a few surprises along the way: an oil pumpjack (or “nodding donkey”) located near the top of the Lukachukai Mountains, directly on the side of the road and smack in the middle of the ponderosa pine forest. Three massive golden eagles circling overhead at the Antelope House overlook at Canyon de Chelly, one of my favorite places on Earth. The aforementioned sudden wind storm and 15-degree temperature drop during Lipe’s remembrance at Crow Canyon.
Bill was one of the few archaeologists who got to see the wonders of Glen Canyon in southern Utah before they were submerged as Lake Powell was completed in 1963. That experience, as well as many others, instilled in him a love for the Southwest and a passion for, as he called it, conservation archaeology that he shared with his family, students, and colleagues, and which lasted through his long life.
To paraphrase Humphrey Bogart’s classic line in Casablanca, “We don’t amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world.” But some folks really do amount to more than others. And in terms of his impact on archaeology and the practice and preservation thereof, as well as on generations of students, writers, and thinkers, Bill’s monumental impact will never be forgotten. Thank you, Bill, and farewell for now.
Until next week,
Steve Nash
President & CEO, Archaeology Southwest
Continuing Coverage: Smithsonian’s Initial Response
The Smithsonian offered the first indication on Wednesday afternoon when Lonnie G. Bunch III, the Smithsonian’s secretary, sent a letter to the staff indicating that the institution had agreed to set up a team to review turning over materials to the White House, as requested, but to do so as an autonomous institution. …
“Our own review of content to ensure our programming is nonpartisan and factual is ongoing, and it is consistent with our authority over our programming and content” … Robin Pogrebin and Graham Bowley for the New York Times | Read more »
Paul Reed (Archaeology Southwest) discussed the Smithsonian crisis with host Scott Michlin (KSJE) on September 4. Watch now »
18th Season of Archaeology Café Kicks off with Paul Reed Oct. 7
Step into the 2025–2026 season of Archaeology Café: Tread. This year, we’re following the routes people have taken across time—on foot, through memory, and across landscapes. Join us in-person downtown at the Archaeology Southwest headquarters, Tuesday, October 7, when Paul F. Reed (New Mexico State Director & Preservation Archaeologist) will discuss “A Very Special Landscape: Trails and the Lava Fields of El Malpais National Monument.” The cultural landscape of El Malpais National Monument holds great significance for Indigenous groups of the Southwest. Within this amazing landscape lie many kilometers of specially constructed trails that allow access to remote parts of the area. Livestream will be available. Archaeology Café (Archaeology Southwest) | Learn more and register (free) »
2025–2026 Tumamoc Author Series Kicks off with Patricia Gilman Oct. 29
Archaeologist Pat Gilman will discuss Mimbres Far from the Heartland, a new book exploring Mimbres culture in east-central Arizona. Co-sponsored by the Tumamoc Desert Lab, UA Press, and the Southwest Center, the series continues through spring with talks on ecology, Indigenous knowledge, and the cultural richness of the Southwest. These talks are in-person in Tucson at the Tumamoc Hill Boathouse, 1675 W. Anklam Rd. The Southwest Center | Learn more »
Why the Roadless Rule Matters
I’m reaching out to share a new ArcGIS Story Map that I hope you might find helpful for learning about the significance of the Roadless Rule and educating and inspiring the public to care and take action in its defense. Although this Story Map is focused on the Northeast, it could just as easily be about any region of the Midwest and eastern US, where roadless areas are few and far between, only adding to their importance. Zack Porter, Executive Director, Standing Trees | Explore the Story Map »
How to Comment on the Roadless Rule
The comment period is now open for the proposed recission of the federal 2001 roadless rule, which prohibits road construction and logging on 58.5 million acres of Forest Service land. The public has until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, Sept. 19, to submit any feedback to the Department of Agriculture, which oversees the Forest Service. Shi En Kim for High Country News | Learn more »
The Roadless Rule also protects cultural sites. More than a decade ago, Archaeology Southwest undertook a study for the Forest Service that showed how proximity to a road negatively impacted site condition and preservation.
“Colorado’s Historic Trails: A Journey through Time” Convenes This Week
A 19th-century trail that ran 400 miles through Colorado will be the subject of discussion during a weeklong national convention titled “Colorado’s Historic Trails: A Journey Through Time,” slated to start Sunday, Sept. 7. The Oregon-California Trails Association is working to map the route, which could eventually be designated as a National Historic Trail administered by the National Park Service.
Known as the Cherokee Trail, the 1,300-mile path was first used in 1849 by Cherokees and white travelers who blazed a route from the end of the Trail of Tears in Oklahoma to Wyoming. It follows a portion of the Santa Fe Trail between Kansas and Bent’s Old Fort in Southern Colorado before heading north to connect with the California Trail. …
The convention will cover a range of topics. That includes tribal, Spanish and other history relevant to the region, such as the 1779 battle near Greenhorn Mountain between the Spanish governor of New Mexico, Juan Bautista de Anza and Comanche Chief Cuerno Verde, as well as the stories of women of the era like Cherokee Barbara Hildebrand Longknife. Shanna Lewis for KRCC (CPR/NPR) | Read more »
Podcast: Sculptor Cliff Fragua
In this episode, hear from world-renowned sculptor Cliff Fragua (Jemez Pueblo). Cliff will be discussing his sculpture of Po’pay, who led the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 against Spanish colonial powers. This sculpture can be seen in Washington, D.C.’s National Statuary Hall, with a replica on display in IPCC’s permanent exhibit. Along with his journey of getting his sculpture to the Statuary Hall, Cliff also speaks about his sculpting process and the inspirations behind his art. Pueblo in Focus (Indian Pueblo Cultural Center) | Listen now »
On Homol’ovi Turquoise
Archaeologists are using advances in technology to analyze fragments of turquoise found at the ancestral Hopi villages of Homol’ovi. Working with the Hopi Cultural Preservation Office, they’re revealing the story of the origins of these beautiful blue-green stones. Lyle Balenquah for Earth Notes (KNAU/NPR) | Read more or listen now »
Position Announcement: Executive Director (AZ), Arizona Deserts National Park Partnership
From Bill Doelle (Archaeology Southwest President Emeritus), who serves as co-chair of the Partnership, which was founded in 2021:
“Arizona Deserts National Park Partnership (ADNPP) is seeking a full-time Executive Director. ADNPP partners with a dozen National Park Units that are located in central and southern Arizona within the Gila River Watershed. It’s a great opportunity to help support these wonderful parks—especially the smaller, lesser-known ones.” ADNPP | Learn more »
September In-Person Lectures (Santa Fe NM)
Sept. 15, David E. Stuart, Ancient Woman Gardeners: Prelude to Chaco Canyon; Sept. 22, Alan Osborne, After Coronado & Before Oñate: The ‘Rediscovery’ of New Mexico; Sept. 29, Wayne Ranney, A Virtual River Trip in Grand Canyon. $20 at the door. Southwest Seminars | Learn more »
REMINDER: Sept. 15 Online Event: Decline of Hohokam Culture Based on Soil Degradation
With Gary Huckleberry. Today there is global interest in understanding how humans impact the soil and the implications of these impacts for environmental health and food production. Thousands of years of canal-irrigation farming in southern Arizona altered natural desert soils, leading to long-term effects, some of which were deleterious to crop production. Did ancient irrigation’s negative impacts on soil fertility contribute to the eventual decline of the 450–1450 CE Hohokam archaeological culture? In this presentation Dr. Huckleberry will discuss ancient irrigation’s positive and negative effects on soil quality, review documented cases of Hohokam canal-irrigated agricultural soils in the Phoenix Basin, and assess whether soil degradation caused by Hohokam irrigation led some areas to be agriculturally abandoned. Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society | Learn more and register (free) »
Oct. 3 In-Person Event (Marana AZ): Archaeological Investigations in Marana’s Crossroads at Silverbell District Park
With Allen Dart. Dart will illustrate and discuss archaeological features and artifacts encountered in excavations at the Yuma Wash Hohokam village and Bojórquez-Aguirre Ranch archaeological sites in the Crossroads at Silverbell District Park and along Silverbell Road. 2:00 p.m., Wheeler Taft Abbett Sr. Library, 7800 N Schisler Dr. Old Pueblo Archaeology Center | Learn more »
Oct. 18 In-Person Event (Queen Creek AZ): Wilderness First Aid Basics
With Caitlin Stewart. In this presentation Caitlin will discuss the basics of wilderness first aid preparedness as it is related to the activities we perform in both recreation and archaeological investigations. Additionally, we will go over the basics of a wilderness first aid kit and how to use each item within the kit. Feel free to bring your own kits with you! Caitlin has 18 years’ experience in archaeological survey, testing, and data recovery in the Southwest. 6:30 p.m., San Tan Historical Society Museum, 20425 Old Ellsworth Rd. Arizona Archaeological Society, San Tan Chapter | Learn more (scroll down for events) »
Please send us notice of upcoming events and webinars, tours and workshops, and anything else you’d like to share with this PAT community. Thanks!