2023
31
Jan
Commentary: Museums Should Stop Exhibiting Human Bodies
Dear Friends,
I spend a good bit of time in the early morning taking in different media. There’s my current audiobook during my workout on the elliptical and before my coffee. I usually finish a chapter while nursing that cup of coffee. Then it’s time to consume some newspaper content—digit...
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2022
02
Nov
Experts Reimagine Bedrock Conservation Laws
Dear Friends,
Several times over the course of the pandemic, I’ve felt that the pace of in-person meetings has suddenly quickened—and slowed—and then accelerated again. And for sure, for me, the past few days have been a marathon!
Last Friday, I attended an in-person meeting of the Four ...
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2022
18
Oct
Interior Proposes to Revamp NAGPRA
Dear Friends,
Pursuing Preservation Archaeology often leads me to interesting new topics and places, such as regenerative agriculture.
That interest got a big boost over a month ago, courtesy of Dax Hansen, owner of Oatman Flats Ranch on the lower Gila River. He held a meeting in Phoenix to sh...
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2022
06
Sep
Capturing Day-to-Night in Bears Ears
Dear Friends,
A week from today, the bill to establish a Great Bend of the Gila National Conservation Area (H.R. 8719) will have a hearing before the House Natural Resources Committee in Washington, DC. It will be heard along with two other bills (H.R. 8108, Advancing Tribal Parity on Public Land...
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2022
15
Mar
Respect the Great Bend of the Gila
Dear Friends,
Tucson has a magnificent Festival of Books that returned in-person on the University of Arizona mall last weekend. Archaeology Southwest had a booth, and I spent the afternoon in near-constant conversation with many people who are avidly pursuing knowledge, insight, entertainment,...
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2022
08
Feb
Comments on Greater Chaco 10-Mile Protection Zone Due by April 6
Dear Friends,
Feedback.
My cat brought the word home to me in a very literal way yesterday morning. Ah, yes. Cats, those sleep-prone animals, tend to have delicate stomachs. You really don’t want their, uhm, feedback.
And a week or so ago, a (former) reader of Preservation Archaeology Tod...
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2022
01
Feb
Utah Diné Bikéyah Celebrates Ten Years
Dear Friends,
I find that even a tiny surprise can fuel an adrenalin boost. Please indulge my personal bird boost.
Last night, Dr. Katelyn Bishop presented a wonderful Archaeology Café (video coming soon) on the importance of birds in Chaco Canyon. A day earlier, Katelyn had logged in with us...
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2021
02
Nov
Lifeways of the Little Colorado River
Dear Friends,
“It’s impolite to talk behind someone’s back” is a phrase I’ve heard since I was a youngster. (Let’s not talk about how long ago that’s been…)
So I guess I’m going to be impolite today.
Skylar Begay, who began his work with Archaeology Southwest in Janu...
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2021
10
Aug
“Now is the time to celebrate America’s public lands…”
Dear Friends,
It would be interesting to ask today’s residents of cities in the US Southwest a simple question: “When was the last time you visited an archaeological site?” I predict many wrong answers. Many people would say “never,” and many more would try to recall when they last visi...
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2021
27
Jul
Continuing Coverage: Unauthorized Drilling at Petroglyph Site
Dear Friends,
I like to maintain a balance in my life.
Last week I endured six days of cool ocean breezes in San Diego. When you read this, I will be driving west from Tucson.
Balance will be achieved via two days in Las Vegas and one in Yuma…
Our current, unexpectedly generous...
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2021
30
Mar
As Women’s History Month Ends, Celebrate Women Archaeologists—and Consider the Future
Dear Friends:
Paul Reed here! I’m stepping in for Bill this week to share some Greater Chaco news.
Despite some recent media reports, the situation across the Greater Chaco Landscape is looking up. In addition to the confirmation of Deb Haaland as Interior Secretary, two recent developments ...
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2020
17
Nov
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....
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