September 2005



New Additions to Archeology Program webpages.

The Archeology Program has added more case studies to the Public Benefits

of Archeology webpages (www.cr.nps.gov/archeology/PUBLIC/benefits/index.htm

).  There are now more highlights for educators, ecologists, and community

activists. Through narrative scenarios, case studies, and suggested

readings, people who might not ordinarily think of archeology as a resource

can learn more about how archeological science can benefit them.

The “Online Exhibits” web page, at (

www.cr.nps.gov/archeology/PUBLIC/exhibits.htm) has also been updated.  This

page guides the visitor to the extraordinary world of virtual exhibits

within the NPS and beyond.

Contact: Barbara Little, [log in to unmask]



Archeology Resource Protection Funding to Move

Administration of funding from NPS Law Enforcement and Emergency Services

Program used to support a variety of activities related to the protection

of archeological resources  will be moved from the Archeology Program to

the National NAGPRA Program beginning in October.  The Archeology Program,

which has been responsible for these funds since the inception of the

program 15 years ago, has used the funding to, among other things, provide

information to the public and professional audiences about the looting of

archeological sites and the legal and policy authorities for archeological

resource protection; develop and provide training for government attorneys

in archeological resource protection law; support training in archeological

protection procedures for NPS and other public agency archeologists;

develop national standards for archeological value assessments; provide

technical assistance to government law enforcement personnel in case

development; and develop the LOOT database.

Contact: Frank McManamon, [log in to unmask]



Projects in Parks: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area House Rules

Are you developing information about avoiding archeological resources to

give to visitors to your park and are looking for a good model?  The Glen

Canyon NRA “House Rules” list of do’s and don’ts is written in a clear and

simple manner, and can be adapted to the needs of the visitors to your

local, state, or national park. It was specifically written to appeal to

children.

The “House Rules” came about because there was a need for guidance for

visitors to passively interpreted sites.  “It was an effort to make

cultural preservation more relevant,” said Max King, Chief Interpreter at

Glen Canyon NRA. “Connecting with the kids was important to us, because we

found that children will police their parents.”

Park archeologists and interpreters worked together to develop an amusing

document that still conveyed important information. Archeologist Chris

Goetze, now at Southeast Utah Group, who worked on the project, said that

the park staff found that people read the funny parts out loud,

re-enforcing the messages of the House Rules.  What advice would Chris give

to parks developing their own visitor information?  “Keep it light and

humorous, and your message will be more effective.”

You can download the house rules by going to the Glen Canyon National

Recreation Area website (www.nps.gov/glca/hsrules.htm) or by going to

“Projects in Parks” on the Archeology Page of Inside NPS.

Contact: Chris Kincaid, [log in to unmask]



“Projects in Parks” is a new feature of the Archeology E-Gram that serves

to inform others of interesting archeology-related projects in a national

park.  To contribute a news item, contact Karen Mudar, [log in to unmask]



BLM Celebrates Antiquities Act Centennial

The BLM Cultural Heritage and Paleontological Resources and Tribal

Consultation Group has launched an extensive series of activities

commemorating the centennial of the passage of the 1906 Antiquities Act.

Activities include an additional $1.1 million in funding for site

inventory, stabilization, and excavation; a national Antiquities Act

Communication plan; an Antiquities Act fact sheet; and launching of the

“Adventures in the Past” website (

http://www.blm.gov/heritage/adventures/index.html), that provide extensive

information about the history and benefits of the passage of the Act,

classroom toolkits on the Act for teachers, and information on the Act for

students.  The BLM website, which was launched in December 2004, links to

NPS Archeology Program webpages on the Antiquities Act (

http://www.cr.nps.gov/archeology/sites/antiquities/index.htm).

BLM Senior Archeologist Richard Brook reported at the Federal Preservation

Institute (NPS) September monthly meeting that the project, which was

carried out in cooperation with a number of other BLM offices, including

Public Affairs; Recreation; and Environmental Education and Volunteers,

would not have been possible without the full support of senior staff,

particularly the state directors of the Four Corners, in which a

significant number of national monuments created by the passage of the

Antiquities Act are located.

Contact: Richard Brook, [log in to unmask]



Archeology E-Gram, distributed via e-mail on a regular basis, includes

announcements about news, new publications, training opportunities,

national and regional meetings, and other important goings-on related to

public archeology in the National Park Service and other public agencies.

Recipients are encouraged to forward Archeology E-Grams to colleagues, and

relevant mailing lists and new subscribers are accepted.  Contact Karen

Mudar, Archeology Program, NPS, at (202) 354-2103, [log in to unmask]



Karen M. Mudar, Ph.D.

National Park Service

Archeology Program

1849 C Street NW (2275)

Washington, DC 20240



202-354-2103 phone

202-371-5102 fax