Wednesday, June 16, 2004

Slow news day today. Though that may change, this being the fast-paced, high-pressure world of archaeology and all.

Ancient maps and corn help track the migrations of indigenous people

Maps are tools to show you where you are going, but they can also show you where you came from. That principle drives the work of Roberto Rodríguez and Patrisia Gonzales, who study ancient maps, oral traditions and the movement of domesticated crops to learn more about the origins of native people in the Americas.

"How do you bring memory back to a people that were told not to remember?" asks Rodríguez. As longtime scholars and syndicated columnists, Gonzales and Rodríguez explore this issue and others related to native people in the Americas. They recently entered the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences as graduate students in the life sciences communication department, and are teaching a class this summer that shows how the stories of Wisconsin's native people fit into the larger history of the continent.

European efforts to homogenize indigenous people in the Americas destroyed much knowledge of the origins, migrations and history of different peoples, explains Rodríguez. However, some migration stories persist in oral traditions, including a central story - told in Mexico and depicted on the Mexican flag - of native people moving south from a place called Aztlán. The location of that place and the paths of movement are unclear, says Rodríguez, because people were moving around in all directions for thousands of years.


Syrian archaeology update Sweida-New Archeological Findings

A very ancient cemetery was unearthed in Gharieh town, some40 KM from the southern Syria city of Sweida, dating back to the Nabatean Period.

The cemetery is composed of four parallel pillars and arched tombs that bear a resemblance in appearance and architecture to those discovered in the central ancient city of Palmyra. A set of findings were discovered in the cemetery, including perfume bottles, glass house appliances of various sizes and forms as well as remains of clay oil lamps. All findings are now under study and restoration.


Cliff fall reveals early burial site

AN EARLY Christian burial site dating back more than 1,200 years has been discovered following a cliff fall.

The site, overlooking Milford Haven waterway, was found by chance when part of the ground gave way to reveal bones gaping from the rock face.

It was initially discovered two years ago, but a TV archaeological investigation has now revealed that they belonged to the Dark Ages.

Archaeologists had to work six foot down a 40ft red sandstone cliff at Longoar Bay near St Ishmaels to rescue the remains before they were lost to the sea.


Archaeologists brave rain

A small tent city is growing around the Blytheville Archeological Survey Research Station on the Arkansas Aeroplex, as amateur and professional archaeologists from across the state and nation arrive to participate in a major research dig.

According to Dr. Claudine Payne, Blytheville station archaeologist, this is the first time in its 41-year history the annual Arkansas Archeological Society and Arkansas Archeological Survey training session is being held in Blytheville. The purpose of this year's dig is to research the Eaker Site, a major Mississippian Era American Indian historic site.

Payne said people are still arriving and will be coming and going through June 26, the final day of the dig.


Sites allowed ancient communication

Archaeologist David Wilcox has documented hundreds of hilltop sites in west-central Arizona that allowed native people to send signals for hundreds of miles.

William Hardy described these signals in an 1870s newspaper article, saying the Yavapai could relay information about Gen. George Crook’s troop movements for more than 100 miles, Wilcox related.

Wilcox has heard stories of the Yavapai sending plumes 1,000 feet into the air, using piñon pitch for black and another undocumented material for white.

Since prehistoric times, native people in west-central Arizona used hilltop sites to send signals. Some sites doubled as defensive strongholds against invaders.