October 2007, Archeology E-Gram
Archeology Program updates “Research in the Parks”
The NPS Archeology Program has updated the “Research in the Parks” page:
http://www.nps.gov/archeology/sites/npsites.htm. Find links to
park-based archeology projects, reports, virtual exhibits, and more.
Follow the links to our recently added pages on the archeological search
for French settlers at Canaveral NS in Florida, Battlefield Archeology
at Kings Mountain NMP in South Carolina, and African American archeology
at Nicodemus NHS in Kansas. All of these research reports were solicited
through the Archeology E-Gram Projects in Parks feature.
Gila Cliff Dwellers National Monument to Celebrate Centennial
On November 16, 1907, Gila Cliff Dwellers NM will celebrate the 100th
anniversary of the signing of the proclamation by President Theodore
Roosevelt to establish the monument. The 158 acre monument was
established to protect 800 year old Pueblo cliff dwellings hidden in
caves in canyons of the Gila River. The proclamation described the site
as “a group of cliff-dwellings … of exceptional scientific and
educational interest, being the best representative of the
Cliff-Dwellers' remains of that region” (Proc. No. 787). The monument
was expanded to the present 533 acres by a proclamation signed by
President John F. Kennedy in 1962. Jurisdiction over Gila Cliff
Dwellings passed to the NPS in 1933, back to the U.S. Forest Service in
1975, and then returned to the NPS again in 2003.
Located in southwestern New Mexico, the monument is surrounded by Gila
NF and Gila Wilderness Area, the first designated wilderness in the U.S.
This wilderness area, beloved of Aldo Leopold, an early 20th century
conservationist, is currently assisting in the re-establishment of the
Mexican Gray Wolf.
The Gila Cliff Dwellings NM is the only unit in the NPS that contains
Mogollon sites; other known archeological sites in the monument include
Archaic-aged rock shelters, pit houses, open area pueblos, Apache sites,
and Euroamerican historic period sites.
Throughout 2007, Gila Cliff Dwelling NM’s theme “Celebrating a Century
of Storytelling” has guided the special programs and events leading up
to the actual anniversary of the proclamation. To learn more about the
monument and celebratory activities, go to http://www.nps.gov/gicl/.
NPS releases guidance for Historic Preservation Commissioners
The NPS Heritage Preservation Services has released the web publication
“Law and the Historic Preservation Commission: What Every Member Needs
to Know,” (www.nps.gov/history/hps/pad/partnership/index.htm) by James
K. Reap and Melvin B. Hill.
This publication provides a "plain English" introduction to many basic
legal concepts and issues that historic and archeological preservation
commissioners may encounter. The information is intended to demystify
laws governing historic and archeological preservation and give historic
preservation commissioners the information needed to make sound and
legally defensible decisions.
This is the latest title in the NPS “Cultural Resources Partnership”
Notes series - occasional short essays on historic preservation
planning, related planning and land use topics, and preservation
strategies for federal agencies, tribes, states, and local governments.
There are four other issues in this series available both on-line and in
hard copy. Hard copies are available from Susan L. Renaud, Series
Editor.
Archeological Resources in Teaching with Museum Collections
The NPS Museum Management Program’s “Teaching with Museum Collections”
web pages provide lesson plans for educators that use NPS collections in
student-centered activities. The lesson plans emphasize the links
between the “real things” – objects in museum collections – and
America’s history and prehistory. Collections connect students to their
past; to rich and varied cultures; and to momentous events, inspired
ideas, and the places where history happened.
Two of the eight available lesson plans focus on Native American and
archeological themes. One, “Bandelier National Monument,” examines
archeological tools, and links the tools and activities to the social
roles of community-members who performed the activities. The lesson
plan cleverly links past and present, demonstrating the vitality of
living Pueblo culture, through an examination of Pueblo pottery-making
today.
The other archeological lesson plan in “Teaching with Museum
Collections” focuses on collections in Nez Perce NHP. The lesson plan
explores gender roles and culture change through examination of
clothing. The vibrant and colorful photographs that the lesson plan
developers have assembled will capture students’ attention and hold
their interest.
The lesson plans include reading materials, web resources, glossaries,
classroom activities, and link to national educational standards.
Although targeted to a specific age group, both plans can be adapted to
younger or older students. A teaching tool “How to Read an Object”
helps teachers to structure students’ discussion about a particular
image.
These lesson plans and others are available on the NPS Museum Management
Program website at http://www.nps.gov/history/museum/tmc/index.htm.
Archeologist Julie King reappointed to ACHP
President George W. Bush announced his appointment of four individuals
to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP). New
appointments to the ACHP are Thomas R. Miller of Franklin, Tennessee,
and John A. Garcia of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Reappointed to the ACHP
to historic preservation expert positions for a second four-year term
are Julia A. King of St. Mary’s City, Maryland, and Ann A. Pritzlaff of
Denver, Colorado.
“We are delighted to welcome Mr. Garcia and Mayor Miller to the ACHP,
and to retain the expertise and enthusiasm of Ms. Pritzlaff and Dr. King
who have been vital to our preservation efforts,” said John L. Nau, III,
ACHP chairman.
Julia A. King is associate professor of archaeology and anthropology at
St. Mary’s College of Maryland. She has been a major force in the ACHP
effort to update archaeological guidelines with reference to the federal
and national preservation structure. With more than two decades’
experience as an archaeologist, researcher, author, and educator, King
holds a doctorate in American Civilization from the University of
Pennsylvania.
USGS Releases Biodiversity Images Website
Need a picture of a common potoo to illustrate an archeological talk?
How about a cattle tyrant? Now you can get them! The USGS-National
Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) has released a new Web site
for its rapidly growing Digital Image Library (DIL) <
http://images.nbii.gov>. Containing thousands of images donated by
photographers and organizations, the DIL goes beyond many other media
sites by linking images to detailed information such as location,
scientific and common names, and habitat and behavior descriptions to
support research, education, and decision-making. With 30,000 images in
the queue, the DIL allows multiple ways to browse the collections and
select images. Additional tools are being developed to support advanced
searching, related content discovery, collaboration, and more!
Contact: Annette Olson 703-648-4080; email [log in to unmask]
George Wright Forum Challenges NPS in Essay Series
The George Wright Forum, journal of the George Wright Society (GWS), is
celebrating the centennial of the NPS by launching a decade-long essay
series to run until 2016, the centennial year. In soliciting the
essays, the editors challenge the agency to bring voices into the
centennial conversation that represent a broad range of viewpoints,
including those not traditionally part of the discourse on America’s
national parks. The GWS Board will commission essays from well-known
writers who have a demonstrated interest in national parks but, just as
importantly, they will also seek out analysts who are addressing
important issues that are relevant to parks but who have not yet applied
their thinking in that way.
The first two essays in the series are submitted by historians, “The
National Park System and the Historic American Past: A Brief Overview
and Reflection” by Richard Sellars (Volume 24:1 (2007)), and “On the
Brink of Greatness: National Parks and the Next Century” by Dwight
Pitcaithley (Volume 24:2 (2007)). NPS archeologists are encouraged to
submit essay topics.
The Board welcomes the participation of George Wright Society members
and other readers of
The George Wright Forum in this ambitious journey of discovery. Who are
the people who have inspired NPS employees in their work? Is there a
philosopher, an essayist, or a novelist whose work has influenced NPS
approaches to issues affecting parks? Are there scientists,
anthropologists, or historians whose thinking should be brought to the
attention of the parks community?
The Board is soliciting suggestions for topics that should be included
in the Centennial Essay Series. It would be helpful if the suggestions
were accompanied by the name and contact information of one or more
individuals to develop the ideas into an essay. The GWS Publications
Committee also welcomes specific proposals for essays from authors
themselves. Again, proposals can come from any field of endeavor so long
as they consider important issues related to the NPS as an agency, or
the resources of the national park system. All submissions—whether
suggested topics, proposals for essays, or complete essays—should go to:
The George Wright Society, P.O. Box 65, Hancock, MI 49930-0065 USA, or
by email to [log in to unmask]
Those interested in the future of the National Parks will also be
interested in an earlier essay by historian Richard Sellars (Volume 24:1
(2007)), “The National Park System and the Historic American Past: A
Brief Overview and Reflection.” To read back issues go to
http://www.georgewright.org/backlist_forum.html
Projects in Parks: Identifying Contact Period Sites on St. John USVI
In many places in the world, little is known about the actual
interactions between indigenous populations, Europeans, and Africans
during the early period of European expansion, despite its importance to
global history. The U.S. Virgin Island of St. John is no exception.
The Danish government sent out settlers to the island, in defiance of
both British and Spanish imperial claims, as early as 1672. The
settlers found “only a few Indians” on the island. By the time of
formal colonization, 18th century St. John was completely deserted of
all indigenous inhabitants. Who were the indigenous inhabitants that
were encountered at the time of European contact, and what became of
them? How did the Danish colonists adapt to new social, economic, and
environmental conditions?
The Virgin Island NP Archeological Program has recently undertaken
research to identify sites that date to European contact and
colonization. Information from excavations at these sites will be used
to explore relations between Taino and Island-Carib Indians, Europeans,
and Africans during this time period. The goal is to better understand
social relations during this tempestuous period of Caribbean
proto-history.
Contact Karen Mudar, Archeology Program, [log in to unmask], to contribute news
items, stories for “Projects in Parks,” and to subscribe.
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