Southwest Archaeology Today

Southwest Archaeology Today (SAT) is a free, weekly e-mail news digest. In addition to sharing regional archaeology news, events, opportunities, and publications, SAT connects readers with news and commentary on U.S. public lands policy, global heritage protection and preservation, and the peopling of the North and South American continents. Review our submission guidelines here.

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“Everything we need to live a good life is here on earth”

Dear Friends, Last week I retained the glow of a wonderful trip to Tonto National Monument as I typed up my greetings to you. Today, the glow is just a remnant of eye strain from two days of Zoom session after Zoom session. Do I still have the perfect job? I’m sticking with “yes.” ...

Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition Ready to Work with New Administration

Dear Friends, How do you know when you have the perfect job? For me, it’s when you get home after an 11-hour day and you’re relaxed, energized, and ready to face the ever-mounting challenges to Archaeology Southwest’s Preservation Archaeology mission. I left home just before 7:00 a.m....

Interior Appropriations Bill Excludes Chaco Protections

Dear Friends, Weeks are longer than they used to be. I can barely remember the geologic era of the last time I sat down on a Tuesday evening to write to you. That’s the problem with archaeologists: We expect time to be linear. Sometimes, it can be helpful to consider the antitheses ...

The Role of Diversity and Inclusion in Arizona Archaeology

Dear Friends, It’s hard to find inspiring words tonight as it becomes clear that relief from this never-ending election year remains elusive. So, breathe deeply and stay healthy. Vigorous advocacy and creative pursuit of healing continue to be our core priorities. Be well. We appreciate y...

Extensive Pleistocene Trackway Preserved in White Sands National Park

Dear Friends, It’s 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday evening. I just arrived home, fed the cats, fed myself, and sat down to write about my long, satisfying day out on the land. I'm glad that I first read the lengthy interview with Bruce Babbitt, one of the articles that follows. Bruce Babbitt’s story h...

Bears Ears Monument Advisory Committee Meets as Judge Deliberates

Dear Friends, For two reasons, I am in a good—very good—mood. First, I am so grateful that I live in a county that knows how to do mail-in voting right. I am on my county’s permanent mail-in voter list, so my ballot automatically appeared in my home mailbox on October 8. I took the w...

Panel Explores an Archaeology of Redress and Restorative Justice

Dear Friends, My calendar called out two holidays on Monday: Indigenous Peoples' Day and Columbus Day. It was another reminder of the broad divisions within this country. Our lead story today points you to a thought-provoking discussion in which experts consider ways to bridge those divisions.�...

Identifying Sites and Resources in Greater Chaco

Dear Friends, I was pleased to see a major new initiative by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation called the Monuments Project. Mellon has allocated $250 million over the next five years to this effort. From what I gather, the focus is likely to favor urban settings. According to the New York Times...

Archaeology Southwest Pilot Survey Informs on Chaco Protection Zone

Dear Friends, This past Saturday was National Public Lands Day. I pretty seriously threw out my back on Friday, so I wasn’t up for a hike to celebrate this special day. But I did watch an amazing documentary on Patagonia’s YouTube site: “Public Trust: The Fight for America’s Public Lands....

Last Chance to Protect Greater Chaco?

Dear Friends, This week, Greater Chaco continues to be our lead story. If the amended resource management plan developed by the Bureau of Land Management goes forward, future oil and gas extraction directly threatens archaeological sites and other places sacred to Tribes over an extensive area ...

Take Action Now to Protect Greater Chaco

Dear Friends, Buckle up. There are research reports to read, urgent calls to advocacy to pursue, and a variety of lectures and books to keep you busy. We lead with Paul Reed’s call for action to protect Greater Chaco, because it is time sensitive. Comments on the BLM’s resource management ...

George Frison Passes

Dear Friends, Less than three months ago, my note to you linked to a blog post I published on June 17 that called on conscientious individuals and organizations to do more than simply post statements of support for Black Lives Matter. Compared to the magnitude of confronting America’s systemi...

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