Rock Mr. Richens

Mr. Richens Mr. Richens, Mr. Richens
Mr. Richens Mr. Richens, Mr. Richens
Mr. Richens Mr. Richens, oh oh oh Mr. Richens
Ooo rock me Mr. Richens

Ah, archaeologists just can't throw anything away

So, I was flipping through some books on the history of various Utah counties and came across this picture:


First of all, I thought it interesting that Lane doesn't look too much different (just some gray hairs and no more mustache!). Even more intriguing was how familiar I was (and am sure you all are) with the equipment in the background! I think it's funny how archaeologists just can't get rid of anything!

More Arrowhead Spam From Aaron

Sorry everyone,

In my quest to get all these GB projectile point typologies described in my thesis, I've been looking at all the sources I can get my hands on. For the most part they are consistent (I have a pretty good discussion of that in my thesis) and I have found some great resources.

A few months ago, I posted that online projectile point reference guide. I've found another. Idaho State University, in conjunction with the Idaho Museum of Natural History has an exceptional online reference called Digital Atlas of Idaho.

The archaeology section is very comprehensive for the northern portion of the GB. Like all websites, there are some problems. Many sections are still under construction, and probably have been that way for several years. I was, however, impressed with their projectile point index. There are some great photos with brief discussions on chronology and geographic distributions (just click on the link "projectile points").

If you need a quick online reference for GB projectile points, this is probably as good as any on the web. At least until someone finds or makes a better one.

I thought farmers with guns were a problem, now we have to worry about speed freaks, too?

I was reading in the latest issue of Archaeology Magazine about the spread of looting by Meth addicts and producers. Apparently, cultural resources are gaining a lot of value in the drug market.

The story is focused on the SW, but states that "tweakers" or "twiggers" (a combination of tweakers and diggers) are looting sites throughout the nation.

Users have so much excess energy, that they tend to "hoover" a site and remove everything they find.

Check it out.

The full article will most likely be available at your library. I know that BYU carries this magazine.

Fun With Artifacts

I know that I've shown many of you these ground points from Parowan Valley, but some of you may not have seen them. Here is a photo I'm working on to include in the thesis. It's still not finished (scale, lettering, etc), but you get the basic idea.

I included the profiles of two of the points because they are ground on the sides. The other edges, while ground, do not show up very well in the photos.

The point on the far left exhibits very light grinding exclusively on the edge.

The distal end of point second from left has not been broken off from use or wear and tear. It has been ground down to a smooth and rounded finish.

The reason I am including these in my thesis, and showing them off to you, is that due to the grinding, they are clearly not tools used in hunting. Due to their smooth edges, it would be difficult to penetrate the hide of animals.

Enjoy!

Chocolate and Chile in the Southwest

As many of you may know, Patricia Crown along with the help of a researcher at Hershey have identified the chemical theobromine, exclusive to chocolate, in residue of a sherd from the trash mound next to Pueblo Bonito at Chaco. So we have pretty good evidence that chocolate made it to the Southwest much earlier than has been thought. You can read about it here:

http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/Study-pinpoints-earliest-chocolate-use-in-U-S--to-N-M--pueblo

Well, a little insider info for you. At the excavation of site 315, a Medio Period site located about 1 km from Paquime, we found what is likely the evidence of the first chile seed ever found in the Southwest. Paul Minnis recently identified the seed during the analysis of some float samples that yours truly excavated from beneath a floor in one of the rooms. Minnis has recently written an article about it, so hopefully we'll see that surface soon.

So I say there was likely some pretty tasty mole being made long before the Spanish arrived. Dig on!

A day late, but Merry Christmas again!

Merry Christmas!

I hope you all have a great Christmas! May your stomachs be filled with optimal foods, your moccasins made with the best dew claws, and your rabbit-skin robes the warmest of all!

NSF Christmas Joy

Just wanted to share the news that my NSF grant went through. I thought some of you would also want to see what my research will focus on. You can see it on the NSF website:
http://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward.do?AwardNumber=0903004
Hope to run some ideas by you guys in the near future. Later.

Mike

2009 Utah Archaeology -- Student Issue

The 2009 issue of Utah Archaeology is going to be an all-student affair.  Get going on those articles now, rather than in June.

CALL FOR PAPAERS:

We are pleased to announce that the 2009 issue of Utah Archaeology will be an "All-Student" issue.  Graduate students and advanced undergraduates are invited to submit papers for consideration.  Appropriate submissions might include class papers and summaries of thesis work.  In order to be considered for inclusion in the 2009 issue, submissions must be received by June 20, 2009.  Electronic submissions are strongly encouraged (utaharch@gmail.com).  As always, submissions are to follow the most recent SAA style guide (see instructions for Authors below).  Please pass this announcement on to current students or recent graduates.

Instructions to Authors: 

Utah Archaeology annually publishes research relevant to the archaeology (both prehistoric and historic) of Utah.  Articles must be factual with some archaeological application.  We seek submissions from authors affiliated with government agencies, cultural resource management firms, museums, academic institutions, and avocational archaeologists equally. 

Authors submitting manuscripts are requested to follow Society for American Archaeology (SAA) style.  The most recent version of the SAA Style Guide can be found online at http://www.saa.org/.    

Categories of papers are: 

(1) Articles – Synthetic manuscripts, reports of analysis, overviews, and reviews of past research.

(2) Reports – Shorter manuscripts including descriptive reports on focused topics and topical pieces written for the non-specialist.

(3) Comments – Pertain to previous publications or topics of general interest.  Comments on published works will be submitted to the author of that work for review and reply. 

(4) Book Reviews – Reviews of current publications pertaining broadly to archaeology in Utah.   

Manuscripts must be typed, double spaced, on one side of 8.5 by 11 inch paper.  Type font should be 12 point and page margins 1 inch.  Submissions should contain appropriate headings and subheadings and must contain a brief abstract of less than 150 words.  Manuscripts should be paginated consecutively beginning with the title page.  Manuscripts should be submitted in an electronic format, as Utah Archaeology cannot retype papers and scanning text is often problematic.  Authors are encouraged to send files as attachments to an email message to the editors, although manuscripts may also be submitted on a CD.  All submissions are strongly encouraged to be in Microsoft Word.   All manuscripts are submitted for outside review.  Authors are sent reviewers' comments and a letter from the editor as to whether the manuscript is acceptable with revision, acceptable in current form, or rejected with a recommendation for substantial revision.  The editors reserve the right to evaluate manuscripts for appropriate subject matter, quality, length, and compliance with the style guide, and are highly likely to reject submissions which do not conform to the requirements above. 

Submissions and correspondence should be addressed to: 

David Yoder and Chris Watkins (utaharch@gmail.com)

or

David Yoder
256 ALLN-BYU
Provo, UT 84602


Chris Watkins and David Yoder, Co-editors Utah Archaeology

Utah Archaeology is Back

I walked into my boss' office yesterday and saw a copy of the 2006 Utah Archaeology put together by the two amazing new editors! It looks great and I just wanted to congratulate Dave and Chris and let you guys know I'm excited to see new editions come more than just every 4-5 years!
Now that I'm out in the "real world" I've noticed that you two (along with very few other people) are doing a really good job of giving BYU's program a good name...thanks.

Starvation Doctrine

Hello everyone,

Well, I finally finished the film. The first screening will be next week, and we've begun submitting to festivals. Check out our website for details and to see the trailer. Later.

www.burningbuffalofilms.com

Projectile Point Quick Refernce Guide

Hey all,

I've been working on a re-analysis of the Baker Village collection and was trying to get a better idea of how to differentiate between Nawthis side-notched, Bear River side-notched, and Uinta side-notched.

I found this website. It's pretty basic but the index and references are pretty useful.

This index allows you to search nationally, regionally, or by state for different point types. I've noticed that the lists are missing a few point types, but for the most part, i really like the quick reference.

Rather than spend time searching by region, I went directly to the complete list .
I found this to be more useful, especially since i disagree with some of their regional demarcations.

I'm not sure if the site is associated with any university, but it's free and has some good information for those of you interested in typing projectile points without spending a lot of time doing lit searches.

The Fremont Master

Once again, southwestern archaeologists recognize the Fremont as well as the Master of Fremont ceramic typology. Check out the props to our very own blogging brother Chris Watkins.
http://www.public.asu.edu/~mpeeple/swceramics.html

Job Opportunity

I know this blog isn't for advertising so I apologize if this is out of place but I have a great opportunity to share and many of you probably qualify. My company is looking to fill the position of project archaeologist for our project on the test and training ranges of Nellis Air Force Base. The position is advertised on Shovelbums (the link isn't working but just type Geo-Marine in the search bar and you will see the ad). We encourage all to apply who are interested. We are looking for those interested in living in St. George or the surrounding area (or Las Vegas is you really want to). The project is already underway so this is urgent. I'm not sure how many of you would be available or interested but I figured I'd let everyone know of the opportunity. We are looking for long term, its a great salary and great benefits, if you have any questions you can email me at swenzlau@geo-marine.com

Here's the link:

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ShovelBums/message/5914

Trading Cards and Action Figures

I stumbled on these a couple days ago. Check'em out at:

http://www.theory.org.uk/cards.htm

and

http://www.theory.org.uk/action.htm

As some point in the far distant future when we are all millionaires and have lots of free time to fritter away we should do the Great Basin Trading Cards. It would be sweet.

Professors we know or have known

I saw this list the other day whilst in the Blogosphere and thought that since we have been and will be dealing with various profs for the foreseeable future, that a quick reference guide would serve useful. It's a fun read. See if you can find your professors!

This is not the full version, I edited it for clarity and eliminated the various jokes about inappropriate professor-student relations.

Irritating Assistant Professors:

1. Professor Knows-He's-A-Fraud-And-Hopes-That-No-One-Will-Figure-It-Out,
2. Professor I'm-Above-This-Place-And-Should-Be-At-Harvard,
3. Professor Rebel-Without-A-Clue,
4. Professor Only-Teaches-His- Dissertation,
5. Professor Promising-Young-Man,
6. Professor Could-Teach-Well-But-Forced-To-Do-Submental-Things-To-Raise-Student-Evaluations.

Irritating Full Professors:

1. Professor Happy-Pills-And-Shock-Treatment-Improved-My-Personality
2. Professor Couldabeena-contenda,
3. Professor Exploits-Grad-Students-as-Cheap-Labor-in-his-Consulting-Business,
4. Professor I-Have-Five-Stories/Jokes-So-Get-Used-To-Hearing-Them-All-The-Time,
5. Professor I-Have-A-PhD-So-I-Shouldn't-Have-To-Learn-Anything-New-Ever-Again.
6. Professor I'm-THIS-Close-To-Retirement-So-I'm-Not-Even-Going-To-Try-Anymore
7. Professor Leave-Me-Alone-I'm-In-The-Middle-Of-A-Bitter-Divorce
8. Professor Midlife-Crisis
9. Professor Refuses-To-Retire-Due-To-Some-Combination-Of-Dementia-And-Never-Ending-Scheme- To-Maximize-Lucrative-Baby-Boomer-Retirement-Plan-No-Longer-Available-To-Younger-Faculty
10. Professor Tenure-Caused-My-Divorce,
11. Professor Twenty-Graduate-Students-Do-All-My-Research,
12. Professor Used-To-Be-Cool
13. Professor Uses-Tenure-To-Pursue-Hobbies-Or-Job-On-The-Side-Full-Time,

Irritating Professors That Could be Assistant or Full-

1. Professor Complains-About-Working-Conditions,
2. Professor Doesn't-Read
3. Professor European-Accent
4. Professor Everyone-Is-Out-To-Get-Me
5. Professor I-Could-and-Sometimes-Do-Recite-This-Lecture-in-my-Sleep,
6. Professor I-Have-Family-Drama
7. Professor I-Want-All-The-Students-To-Like-Me,-So-I'm-Going-To-Give-Easy-Tests
8. Professor Laughs-At-His-Own-Jokes,
9. Professor My-Jokes-Aren't-Funny-But-They're-All-I-Have,
10. Professor Only-Person-At-Tiny-College-To-Have-Ever-Published-A-Book-In-A-Printing-Of-More-Than-200,
11. Professor Oops-I-Lit-My-Hand-On-Fire
12. Professor Seriously-Tardy-With-Grading-Papers
13. Professor Stared-Into-The-Void-And-The-Void-Stared-Back!
14. Professor Your-Life-Means-Less-Than-My-Research
15. Professor Your-Work-Will-Never-Be-As-Important-As-Mine,
16. Professor Wears-The-Same-Ratty-Clothes-All-The-Time
17. Professor Who-Cares-What-The-Subject-Is?-Let's-Discuss-My-Politics

North Creek/ Escalante photos

Notice the circular adobe-lined hearth in the western (left) profile

Exposing more of the shelter

Working in the dark

Some major changes at the Frosty Shop...Grammar!

John Clark's vindication: "Snail-Suckers"
The screeners were pulling tons of these out

I'll leave all the technical discussions of provenience and chronology to Dave and Brad, but I thought I'd provide some photos I took while laboring at North Creek. My apologies for the quality of some of the photos as they were taken with my phone.

Image J Plugin for Pictographs

This guy has written a really cool plugin for Image J that enhances pictographs, and can even make invisible ones appear in digital photos. Seems worth checking out. I've asked for a copy of it. I wonder how it would work on a Mesoamerican Mural like at San Bartolo...

Job in Phoenix

I asked Joel, Rich, and Jim to post this flyer on the board at OPA. The job is real, but somebody let me know what the reaction was and whether it actually makes it up.