Want to support research at PGM? They are offering discounted publications - proceeds benefit the City Archaeology Office and their research publications. This week's special - Beneath the Runways: Archaeology of Sky Harbor for $15. Email archaeology@phoenix.gov to purchase your copy.

https://www.betalabservices.com/photo-contest.html 

To support researchers around the world, we are hosting a photo competition, in which three winners will receive vouchers valid for any of Beta Analytic’s radiocarbon dating, hydrology, and stable isotope services. Please submit original images related to archaeological or geological research and field work.

Contest Details

Contest Dates: February 1, 2021 – March 1, 2021
Allowed number of entries: 1 per person
Allowed number of votes: 1 per person
Selection Process:. Most votes on a photo submission
File Types: PNG, JPG, JPEG, and GIF
Maximum File Size: 50 Megabytes

About the Prize

Number of Winners: 3 (1st place, 2nd place, 3rd place)
Prize: USD $1,500 Voucher for 1st place, USD $1,000 for 2nd place, USD $650 for 3rd place (Valid until December 31, 2021)
Vouchers are only valid for services provided by Beta Analytic

Senate Bill 1338, which would transfer permitting responsibility from the Arizona State Museum to the State Historic Preservation Office, is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Government Committee on Monday, February 1, 2021 at 2:00 P.M. The Senate Government Committee Agenda is here: https://www.azleg.gov/getCurrentPDF/?doctype=A&docid=14996. The bill text is here: https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/55leg/1R/bills/SB1338P.pdf

Please join members of the AAC Political Action Committee for a Zoom-based virtual happy hour on Friday January 29 at 4 PM:   https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88127568505?pwd=WUIxMGtQYjREbDBIVDJOcTZRSmNLZz09 (Meeting ID: 881 2756 8505 Passcode: 180341). We will discuss the bill and some of its implications and hear your concerns. We will also give an overview of the Arizona legislature’s Request to Speak (RTS) system and how you can support or oppose this and other legislation. 

The AAC has also created a members-only forum, where we can debate and discuss sensitive issues together, in a more private online space. The general forum rules topic is at the top, and a new topic has been created if people want to weigh-in on this bill:   http://arizonaarchaeologicalcouncil.org/Forum/10039282 

You may also call or email the committee members (information below).

AZ Senator David Gowan (R, LD-14 Sierra Vista/Safford) has just introduced 2021 Senate Bill 1338 (historic preservation; state museum; transfer) which has the potential to impact Arizona Archeology. A copy of the bill’s introduced language can be found at https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/55leg/1R/bills/SB1338P.htm. This bill is similar to a smaller bill introduced in 2020 (SB 1241), which was not enacted. AAC previously adopted a neutral position on this bill. An initial analysis of the new bill finds it would amend multiple state statutes to shift authority, powers, duties and responsibilities from the Arizona State Museum (ASM) to the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).

The bill would require the Board of Regents to consult SHPO on matters relating to the ASM. The bill would remove ASM’s ability to adopt Arizona Antiquities Act fees for anything other than fees related to the Arizona Burial Laws on non-state lands (note SHPO is not given authority to propose fees). The bill shifts Antiquities Act permitting and reports of discoveries to be the responsibility of SHPO. The bill also adds SHPO as the point of contact when human remains are discovered on non-state lands – SHPO would then contact ASM for determination of affiliation, which adds an extra step adds an extra step and more bureaucracy when human remains are encountered. Finally, the bill transfers an acquisition and preservation fund from ASM to SHPO. Note that no appropriations or ability to generate fees by SHPO are included in the current version of the bill. Because the bill is an unfunded mandate for an already underfunded state agency, and because the bill would complicate the process of notification and repatriation of human remains, we feel the bill would potentially have a negative impact on Arizona Archaeology.

The AAC Political Action Committee will be meeting with administrators, legislators, and liaisons in the coming days to discuss the legislation and its potential impacts to Arizona Archaeology. Following those meetings, AAC will schedule an afternoon zoom-based information sharing session for the membership and others interested in the bill and communicate how you can help shape the legislation as it goes through the committee process. AAC media will continue to share updates on this and other bills affecting Arizona Archaeology.

The Archaeological and Historical Society is holding our 6th Annual Research Slam and Winter Party by Zoom next Monday, January 11 beginning at 6:30 p.m.  We have 9 presenters from throughout the southwest presenting 3 minute “research slams” that should be entertaining and enlightening.  

More information including the presenter names and their titles is on our facebook page—https://www.facebook.com/ArchandHist 

And in the attached flyer AAHS_2021_Slam Flyer Jan.pdf

Earlier this year, the Southwest Symposium Archaeological Conference board met to prepare for the upcoming 18th biennial meeting. In light of the ongoing pandemic and in consultation with the meeting's hosts, we have decided to hold the next Southwest Symposium at the beginning of 2023. We are excited to have Judith Habicht-Mauche and Maxine McBrinn host that meeting in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The website has been updated with this information, and as plans are made throughout the next two years, we will be adding more to the site (southwestsymposium.org). Please stay tuned, safe, and well.

Mike Searcy

President, Southwest Symposium Board

Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology

Director, New World Archaeological Foundation

Brigham Young University

800 KMBL, Provo, UT  84602

801.422.5374

If you missed the "Examining the Role of Diversity and Inclusion in Arizona Archaeology" webinar last month a recording can be viewed at the following link:

https://www.azpreservation.org/diversity-inclusion-in-archaeology

The Arizona Archaeological Council is holding its last board meeting of the year, on December 4th, 2020. The meeting agenda can be found here: 2020 December AAC Meeting Agenda.pdf

Current members of the AAC are invited to attend this virtual meeting:

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82026679463?pwd=VUlEYzNTcjlkTFEvUWpNYTdkbkFZdz09

Meeting ID: 820 2667 9463

Passcode: 069535

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kwq12K38w

The Arizona State Historic Preservation Office and Arizona Archaeological Council are conducting a baseline demographic survey of Arizona’s archaeologists. The survey should take about 5 minutes to complete. Please complete this survey only once and please pass along to your colleagues. Thanks! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Archaeology-AZ