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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2021
23
Feb
Grand Canyon Protection Act Introduced in Senate
Dear Friends,
I keep returning to the themes that Scientific American called on the Biden administration to prioritize: COVID-19, climate change, respect for science, and respectful discourse. The latter three issues are highlighted in today’s link to an article by Judy Fahys on Interior’s ...
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2021
16
Feb
Grand Canyon Protection Act Would Make Mining Ban Permanent
Dear Friends,
COVID news seems to trend from hopeful to frightful on a continual cycle. The uncertainty is unsettling. Nevertheless, my confidence grows, buoyed by clear evidence that the new administration is taking the pandemic very seriously.
For quite some time now, most of the news from o...
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2021
09
Feb
Help Stop Crimes against History on Tribal Lands
Dear Friends,
Are you under 30? Do you have children or grandchildren who are under 20? (My grandkids are 6 and 8.) I ask because anyone younger than 20 or 30 years old should live at least another half-century. And there is a lot of uncertainty in those next 50 years.
Yes, as promised, I am r...
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2021
02
Feb
An Enlightening and Hopeful Conversation with Sally Jewell
Dear Friends,
I ended last week’s note with a call: Let’s get to work!
This week, I’d like to take a big-picture view of the work that needs doing.
I find the latest issue of Scientific American very helpful. The editors identify the four most pressing science priorities for the...
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2021
26
Jan
It’s Time to Permanently Protect the Greater Chaco Landscape
Dear Friends,
Last week’s list of fresh words I hope we'll be using more going forward was a bit too short. Here are the contributions of your word-savvy fellow readers.
Compliance (as say, for mandatory masks)
Humor (as in, good humor) (2)
Tolerance
Thankfulness, Gratefulness, Gratit...
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2021
19
Jan
Hopes for Restorations and Protections
Dear Friends,
May you find occasion to use these words—increasingly—from today forward.
Commitment
Sacrifice
Reverence
Confidence
Resilience
Perseverance
Persistence
Diligence
Resolve
Steadfastness
Restoration
Optimism
Engagement
Hope
Realism
Respect
Honor
Honesty
Rea...
more
2021
12
Jan
Utah’s Grand County Commission Asks Biden Administration to Restore Bears Ears
Dear Friends,
What a difference a week makes. My optimism of last week has been…deflated. But not suffocated.
I expected 2021 to bring a heavy workload toward healing. Sadly, the load is heavier than I anticipated.
So, I plan to work harder. And I hope to work smarter.
There ar...
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2021
05
Jan
Federal Appropriations Bill Includes Chaco Protection
Dear Friends,
The calendar page has turned and a new year is underway. On New Year’s Day, Linda Mayro, Director of Pima County’s Office of Sustainability and Conservation—and my wife—led me on an “expedition” to explore an archaeological site along the Santa Cruz River south of Tucs...
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2020
22
Dec
Congresswoman Debra Haaland Nominated to Be Next Secretary of the Interior
Dear Friends,
This day after the winter solstice, the sun is setting. Things are quieting down—thankfully.
I crammed the typical weekly Zoom hours into two days. It’s time for a break. Time for rest and reflection.
At Archaeology Southwest, 2021 looks promising. We’re planning t...
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2020
15
Dec
Continuing Coverage: Fighting for Oak Flat
Dear Friends,
It has been another long day in the field. But I’m not complaining—for me, these days out on the desert landscape are days of renewal, experiences that reignite my passion for what I do.
Focusing my eyes on the ground so I don’t miss subtle, centuries-old physical remnants ...
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2020
08
Dec
San Juan County Commission Asks Incoming Administration to Restore Bears Ears
Dear Friends,
I’ve long been interested in the historical role of archaeological nonprofit organizations in the United States (yes, there are many). And annually, during this stretch between Thanksgiving and the New Year, nonprofits send out year-end letters asking for support. Following my i...
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2020
01
Dec
Turkey Feather Blanket Analyzed
Dear Friends,
I’ve been thinking about the articles you’ll be reading in this edition. It’s a bit earlier in the day than I usually write to you, as there’s an Archaeology Café coming up in a little bit tonight. I think you'll especially enjoy it—video soon.
You know, I find tod...
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