Joining the Fray and Do You want to Work at OPA?

I just thought I would let everyone know that I am applying to the Masters program here at BYU and plan to start classes this coming fall. I will probably take some intro classes this summer to get up to speed. I am really looking forward to becoming legit and able to really know what I am talking about though that remains to be seen...

On a side note, I have been asked by Rich Talbot, Director of OPA to make everyone on FOF aware that OPA plans is offering two full-time 1 year positions as operating archaeologists. This is a big deal and an amazing opportunity for anyone wanting some major responsibilities and time working with two of the best field archaeologists in the state of Utah. Those interested need to contact Debbie Silversmith at 801.422.0024 or apply online at yjobs.byu.edu.

Practice Archaeology

Anybody tuned in much to the developing theory and such on Practice in archaeology? I'm looking for a good general summary definition, and maybe recommendations on texts or articles that spell things out pretty basically.

It's been pretty quiet on here--this as much a hell semester for everyone else as it's looking for me? Or are there other Sand Hollow II's taking people away from civilization as we know it in 'good ol' Provo?

For those who are interested...

Hey guys, this was brought to my attention by one of my professors. World Archaeology is doing an issue on Experimental Archaeology.

Vol. 40 No. 1: Experimental Archaeology Editor: Alan Outram
Most archaeologists have some understanding of what is meant by'experimental archaeology', but it is not always clear what the term means.Most would agree that experimental archaeology involves 'actualistic'investigation of archaeological questions employing authentic materials and'primitive technologies', rather than being purely lab-based. Suchexperiments might address processes of artefact manufacture and use,taphonomy or (re)construction, however, actualistic experiments are alsoemployed to develop or valid laboratory techniques.

This call is for papers that employ experimental archaeology as a seriousresearch method. Papers that illustrate how experimental archaeology isintegrated into wider archaeological investigations are particularlywelcome.

(http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/cfp/rwarcfp.asp)

Lay-tar.

Way to go, Nabataeans!!

Hello New Worlders! Now for some news from the Old World:

Yes folks, Petra was named as a candidate for one the new seven wonders of the world. Read about it here. Petra is one of 21 sites from around the world competing for the title as one of the world's 7 wonders. Aww yeah!

Stay tuned on 07/07/07 for results!!

Molly SIR (Thanks for the motivation, Chris)

Geographic Information Systems

Though this was technically a Grad level class it was combined with the general intro to GIS undergrad class, so it was incredibly easy (I'm talking about major assignments consisteing of one 2-3 page paper). But, it was very useful, especially since I don't learn well from just exploring computer programs on my own. Basically, we just completed the ESRI on-line lessons to learn how to push the buttons while we did one extensive project broken into a dozen little pieces to learn the applications. Finally, for the Grad students, we came up with an idea of how to use GIS in conjunction with our thesis. Originally, I wanted to show the distribution of gamming pieces over the Paragonah site, but it would have taken way too long to prep all the data, so I ended up showing the distribution of gamming pieces over the Fremont area.

Readings/Thesis
I took one credit of readings simply so I could get my student loan, but it was extreemly helpful towards my thesis. I read the abundant (sarcasm) liturature on Fremont worked bone, mostly consisting of site summaries. There were a few other more helpful pieces including, of course, the Clear Creek Report. I ended up getitng into areas outside of the Fremont as well. The worked bone section of "The Durango South Project" (APUA No.34) was interesting because John Gooding attenpted to analyze worked bone (esp. awls) using functional characteristics rather than simply morphological attributes. I also actually started on the PVAP worked bone analysis, which has been challenging, but very useful, since I have to identify the element (faunal analysis is a major weekness of mine) as well as any modification/wear.

Field School Lab Class
I was the sole TA (though I had much needed help from Aaron, Brad, and Jenny) for the Field School Lab class. This was most useful for comedic relief in my otherwise busy life. I think my favorite story about the students was the follwoing: One student (Let's call him, M) made a comment about how few scales we had and another (let's call him, D) replied, "Oh, you don't really need to use one. What you do is at the beginning of the day you weight one sherd and then use that one to help you estimate on the rest that you do." The best part is that this converstion was held right infront of Dr. Allsion! Through the grapevine I also heard that D found out that M (who was working with sherds from the same site as D) finished analysis and had found 100% greyware with sand temper, so D decided his must all be greyware with sand temper as well...he finnished his analysis really quickly after that.

GB Paper
Finally, I finished by Great Basin Seminar paper (on Fremont Architecture in the Utah Valley...basically reporting the uncommon structrures as Jay's Place) at least to get a grade. I'm sure it'll need a few more drafts before publication, but it's nice to be at a good resting point.

Watkins SIR (Fall 2006)

I get the impression that people are not posting these because they don't have time to write a big long entry. In that spirit, I am posting an abbreviated SIR as an example.

-=Courses=-
Only one course this year:

Comparative Southwestern Ceramics - In this course, we learned to type ceramics from across the southwest, and compared them to one another. Interesting note - most people agreed that Fremont painted pottery is in the Red Mesa style, so much so that some of the Crow Canyon folks wondered whether some of the displaced Mesa Verdeans landed in the Fremont area around AD 900. Check this website for some really cool lab manuals and type descriptions, including one for the Fremont by yours truly.

-=Research=-
Finishing:
1. A paper on the Fremont Ceramic typology
2. A paper on structure contemporeneity at Five Finger Ridge

Dissertation:
Analyzed a bunch of sherds for my D.
Am working on an automated method to digitally analyze petrographic thin sections.

-=Next Term=-
Taking Chiefdoms from Spielmann (the incoming Shallit lecturer) and Ben Nelson
More D research
More Fremont papers

News Flash: Dateline - Rupert Idaho.

Extra, Extra! Read all about it!

Mel Gibson's Apocalyto is full of embellishments, inaccuracies, and racist undertones. The archaeological advisor on the film, one Richard Hansen, responds in this interview with Archaeology Magazine.

Maya "expert", former BYU student, and current UC Riversider Zach Hruby gives his two bits in this National Geographic Newsletter article.

ASU graduate students ask BYU alumni Chris Watkins why the H Hansen let Mel get away with his theatrics. A puzzled Watkins knows not what to say...