Let's make a New Year's resolution - when we are out and about and see some damage, report it. AAI has developed a site visitation form that you can use after you visit an archaeological site that helps you do that quickly and easily. Doesn't matter if you're doing a patrol, site visits, or just out on a hike. The form is super easy and quick to fill out. It will help us keep track of damage and looting at fragile sites - there are way more casual hikers out there than there are backcountry LEOs. If we can note when things happen, it can help protect these sites we all love.
AAI Site Visitation Form
Let's make 2011 a better year for archaeology than 2010!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Trent is going down
Well I happened to see my friend in the know yesterday and received some good news: Trent has been convicted of a felony under ARPA! Trent, you may remember from an earlier Facebook posting, was the chump who scrawled his name across the "Descending Sheep" panel in lower Glen Canyon, a popular stop for half-day rafting trips. According to my source, this case is also going to be setting a prescident for other ARPA cases across the West, including some in Grand Canyon! This is a good day to celebrate for those of us who love and protect archaeological resources here in Arizona!
In other good news (slightly belated): Keyhole Sink Vandalism Treated
The Keyhole Sink petroglyph vandalism has gotten remediation. Apparently the Trent inscription has received a similar treatment, but I have not been down into the canyon since.
Let's keep up the good fight!
In other good news (slightly belated): Keyhole Sink Vandalism Treated
The Keyhole Sink petroglyph vandalism has gotten remediation. Apparently the Trent inscription has received a similar treatment, but I have not been down into the canyon since.
Let's keep up the good fight!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
CBS 5 Report on Looting
Okay, so I just finished watching CBS 5's report about looting and archaeological site damage. They headlined it as "Grave Robbers."
They talked about the tourist draw versus "macabre crime scene" in the Tonto NF. It seems odd that these folks have never heard of the pothunting epidemic in Arizona. Tammy Leitner appears to have never been in a backcountry ruin - Morgan Lowe perhaps has. There were some nice plainware sherds, and some serious tunneling under a wall by looters.
They interviewed 3 TNF Law Enforcement Officers and archaeologists. They explained how painted ware is the most valuable, and found primarily in graves. The TNF archaeologist talked about how looting for pots is a form of grave robbery. It is unclear, despite the archaeologist talking about disturbing human remains, if they came across any bones. They probably wouldn't show it on the news even if they had, however.
One interesting point made was that pothunting increases when the economy tanks (which also is when protection drops as well). The claim was made that dozens of sites have been looted. I think you can probably go much higher with that number. If only a couple dozen sites on the TNF have been looted, I will eat my hat.
As volunteers, we need to do everything we can to protect these sites - not just in the TNF. I'm looking at a serious site patrol day up here soon. I hope that others join me across the state and make the statement that we aren't going to let looters ruin our ruins!
They talked about the tourist draw versus "macabre crime scene" in the Tonto NF. It seems odd that these folks have never heard of the pothunting epidemic in Arizona. Tammy Leitner appears to have never been in a backcountry ruin - Morgan Lowe perhaps has. There were some nice plainware sherds, and some serious tunneling under a wall by looters.
They interviewed 3 TNF Law Enforcement Officers and archaeologists. They explained how painted ware is the most valuable, and found primarily in graves. The TNF archaeologist talked about how looting for pots is a form of grave robbery. It is unclear, despite the archaeologist talking about disturbing human remains, if they came across any bones. They probably wouldn't show it on the news even if they had, however.
One interesting point made was that pothunting increases when the economy tanks (which also is when protection drops as well). The claim was made that dozens of sites have been looted. I think you can probably go much higher with that number. If only a couple dozen sites on the TNF have been looted, I will eat my hat.
As volunteers, we need to do everything we can to protect these sites - not just in the TNF. I'm looking at a serious site patrol day up here soon. I hope that others join me across the state and make the statement that we aren't going to let looters ruin our ruins!
Site Damage on CBS
If you are in Arizona and get the Phoenix news, CBS 5 is having an investigative report about looters damaging our cultural resources. Will watch and provide a review. Too bad they didn't see fit to contact AAI for the story... :-S
Monday, October 11, 2010
Blanding Case Update
Guilty Plea in Artifact Sale
Update on the Blanding Case. Interesting to see that people are getting towards sentencing here. We need to make sure that things like this widespread looting don't happen again, especially here in Arizona.
Update on the Blanding Case. Interesting to see that people are getting towards sentencing here. We need to make sure that things like this widespread looting don't happen again, especially here in Arizona.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
How to Volunteer
I get asked often, "Okay, I want to help protect Arizona's past, but how? What do you guys actually do?" Here's a great place to answer that question:
Site Visits
Site visits are exactly what it sounds like: visiting archaeological sites. They can be little PII sites on the Arizona Strip or big American territorial-era forts. We try and stay away from major sites that are within National Parks and Monuments, just because these generally receive more attention than the average archaeological site. The idea is to go to the site and check for damage from looting or vandals. This works especially well if it is a site you are familiar with and can spot change. Site visits don't mean you are spending hours wandering a site. Simply check the site for damage. Usually several sites can be visited in a day or an afternoon, depending on your location. We are working on a Site Visitation Form for AAI to use so we have some sort of standardized reporting system. This way if multiple people are visiting a site in a short period, it is not necessary for them to communicate with each other; the forms can provide useful information.
Patrols
Patrols are more involved. If you know of an vulnerable site or area, it may be especially useful to conduct occasional patrols. This can involve doing a site check for damage/looting/vandalism, but ideally a patrol involves two or more people keeping watch on or actively patrolling an area. This may include stationary surveillance, foot patrols, etc. Like with site visits, it is recommended that you carry a cell phone with Law Enforcement to call if you encounter looters. It is also recommended to take appropriate safety precautions when going on a patrol.
Volunteer Activity
We like to volunteer time to archaeology related causes. This could be graffiti clean-up, like at Keyhole Sink (dates pending), or education at a park or forest. It is a good idea to call the land management agency to see if there is a way that you can volunteer as an AAI volunteer in their jurisdiction.
Site Visits
Site visits are exactly what it sounds like: visiting archaeological sites. They can be little PII sites on the Arizona Strip or big American territorial-era forts. We try and stay away from major sites that are within National Parks and Monuments, just because these generally receive more attention than the average archaeological site. The idea is to go to the site and check for damage from looting or vandals. This works especially well if it is a site you are familiar with and can spot change. Site visits don't mean you are spending hours wandering a site. Simply check the site for damage. Usually several sites can be visited in a day or an afternoon, depending on your location. We are working on a Site Visitation Form for AAI to use so we have some sort of standardized reporting system. This way if multiple people are visiting a site in a short period, it is not necessary for them to communicate with each other; the forms can provide useful information.
Patrols
Patrols are more involved. If you know of an vulnerable site or area, it may be especially useful to conduct occasional patrols. This can involve doing a site check for damage/looting/vandalism, but ideally a patrol involves two or more people keeping watch on or actively patrolling an area. This may include stationary surveillance, foot patrols, etc. Like with site visits, it is recommended that you carry a cell phone with Law Enforcement to call if you encounter looters. It is also recommended to take appropriate safety precautions when going on a patrol.
Volunteer Activity
We like to volunteer time to archaeology related causes. This could be graffiti clean-up, like at Keyhole Sink (dates pending), or education at a park or forest. It is a good idea to call the land management agency to see if there is a way that you can volunteer as an AAI volunteer in their jurisdiction.
Mission Statement
I often get asked by people what the AAI do. This is probably the best place to do it.
We view the archaeological sites present in Arizona to be some of the best preserved and most important in the United States. Unfortunately they are also exceedingly vulnerable to damage from looters. The Federal Government provides some (minimal) protection over some sites, such as at Walnut Canyon NM, Wupatki NM, Montezuma Castle/Montezuma Well NM, Navajo NM (very minimal here), Casa Grande NM, Hohokam Pima (very minimal) etc. etc. etc. The list goes on.
The state of Arizona, by contrast, has totally dropped the ball when it comes to protecting ancient sites. Homolovi Ruins State Park has been shuttered, and archaeological resources on state land are ill patrolled, neglected, and simply passed over in favor of more money-making issues. While this is understandable, given our state's current budget, these sites are non-renewable and can't protect themselves. This is where we come in.
We do announced and unannounced site visits, checking for signs of looting and damage. If we encounter looters, we call law enforcement. We are good witnesses. We also patrol sites, to try and deter incoming looters. Think of us as the Minutemen of archaeology.
Membership is open to all who want to help preserve our state's amazing history, whether it is prehistoric or pioneer. Drop us a line at azarchirreg@gmail.com for more information on how to join and what is expected of you.
We view the archaeological sites present in Arizona to be some of the best preserved and most important in the United States. Unfortunately they are also exceedingly vulnerable to damage from looters. The Federal Government provides some (minimal) protection over some sites, such as at Walnut Canyon NM, Wupatki NM, Montezuma Castle/Montezuma Well NM, Navajo NM (very minimal here), Casa Grande NM, Hohokam Pima (very minimal) etc. etc. etc. The list goes on.
The state of Arizona, by contrast, has totally dropped the ball when it comes to protecting ancient sites. Homolovi Ruins State Park has been shuttered, and archaeological resources on state land are ill patrolled, neglected, and simply passed over in favor of more money-making issues. While this is understandable, given our state's current budget, these sites are non-renewable and can't protect themselves. This is where we come in.
We do announced and unannounced site visits, checking for signs of looting and damage. If we encounter looters, we call law enforcement. We are good witnesses. We also patrol sites, to try and deter incoming looters. Think of us as the Minutemen of archaeology.
Membership is open to all who want to help preserve our state's amazing history, whether it is prehistoric or pioneer. Drop us a line at azarchirreg@gmail.com for more information on how to join and what is expected of you.
Introduction
Welcome to the Arizona Archaeology Irregulars (AAI) blog! We're just getting started with the whole blogging thing, so please have some patience. The idea is to eventually have all our AAI updates not only on Facebook but also here on a Blog for our non-Facebook members to follow easily. Look for updates, including events, soon!
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