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.
Monday, October 11, 2010
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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