Upcoming Events

March 28, 2024

Education Outreach at the Española Public Library
Thursday, March 28th, 2024, 1 pm until 4 pm, free!

March 30, 2024

Governor's Easter Bash
Saturday, March 30th, 2024

April 10, 2024

Tewa Decorated Types Produced during the “Historic” Period: Trends and Connections
OAS Brown Bag talk by C. Dean Wilson (OAS Research Associate) at the CNMA, 12:00 noon, free!

April 12, 2024

Fort Stanton State Monument
Friday, April 12th through Saturday, April 13th, 2024
Cost of trip: $135


April 24, 2024

Journey to the Stone Lions
OAS Brown Bag talk by OAS graphic artist Scott Jaquith at the CNMA, 12:00 noon, free!

Living with Archaeology in the Tewa Basin or Where did the ancient ones live before the Pajarito Plateau?

July 9, 2016


Saturday, July 9, 2016
Cost of trip: FOA members: $85, non-FOA members: $95

For most of the public, and even for most archaeologists, the story of Northern Rio Grande archaeology begins with Bandelier National Monument and the Coalition period (AD 1175-1300). Well preserved sites on the Pajarito Plateau have attracted attention since the late 19th century due to their visibility, but the sites are almost exclusively post-AD 1175 in age. Earlier sites, sites dating to the AD 900-1175 period, are present in the valley bottoms of the Rio Grande and its tributaries, but these early sites are generally hidden and have only rarely been investigated. The valley bottoms were, and are, great places to farm and live, so these ancient sites are now covered by layers of occupation up to and including our modern communities.

This day trip will visit the Wickersham extended family in the vicinity of La Puebla, New Mexico, just north of Santa Fe. After purchasing the property in the mid-20th century, they have discovered that many generations have lived there previously, including during the Late Developmental period. This will be a chance for tour participants to see Late Developmental period archaeology in the Northern Rio Grande, to see why archaeologists know so little about this important period in the culture history of the Tewa Basin, and to hear anecdotes of the surprises in store for modern landowners who find themselves only the latest of more than 50 generations of valley citizens.

Trip leaders will be Eric Blinman (OAS' Director) and Steven Lakatos (Archaeologist, New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department). This trip will have a limited number of participants. Make reservations beginning at 7:00 am on Tuesday, June 7, 2016 by calling (505) 982-7799, ext. 7. Difficulty: Moderate with moderate to strenuous hiking. Cost to FOA members is $85 and for non-FOA members the cost is $95.

A second site will be selected to complement the visit to the Wickersham site in Puebla. Please check back on this website and the Museum of New Mexico Foundation's Friends of Archaeology website for updates.

 

Summer on the Rio Grande (photo courtesy of www.estately.net)