Two August Events from OPAC
Old Pueblo Archaeology Center will present two online talks next month:
What is Decolonization and Why Does it Matter? With Rowdy Duncan
August 10, 2021, 7:00 p.m. Co-hosted with Arizona Humanities Frank Talks
Free; Online via Zoom; Registration required (link below)
The history of colonialism and how to “decolonize” is a hot topic among Indigenous peoples and some scholars, including when it comes to archaeology. However, probably most members of the general public and even some professional archaeologists have no concept of why an understanding of colonialism is important. To fathom what decolonization means today, we first must understand historically what colonialism is, and how it has shaped our thinking and actions. In the Americas, who was, and who was not colonized? Colonialist thinking can permeate education, media, government policies, and our lived experiences every day. Colonialist thinking can empower some of us while disenfranchising, exploiting or marginalizing others. In what ways do we consciously or unconsciously engage in colonialist practices, beliefs, or concepts today? What steps can we take to begin to decolonize our thinking, and why does it matter? What is the cost to individuals or communities if we choose not to? What is the benefit to individuals or communities if we choose to “decolonize” our thinking and act differently? Join this interactive discussion about the impact of colonization and decolonization on the way we live and work together. Guest presenter Rowdy Duncan (Phoenix College and Anytown AZ) has worked in the field of diversity and inclusion for over a decade.
Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0rceytqDojGtUGEWlztiWz2Q7qQdZOR2gX
Pre-Hispanic Copper Artifacts Recovered from New Mexico Mimbres Archaeological Sites. With Christopher Adams
August 19, 2021, 7:00–8:30 p.m.
Free; Online via Zoom; Registration required (link below)
In 2009, the discovery of a native copper nugget on a Classic Mimbres site located on the Gila National Forest in southwestern New Mexico initiated an archaeological investigation to determine whether there were more native copper nuggets or copper artifacts in the Mimbres area of the national forest. This preliminary investigation involved conducting archaeological surveys of a small sample of sites in the Mimbres area of the Gila National Forest, using the latest metal-sensing technology available and documenting the distribution of identified copper nuggets and artifacts.
This presentation will highlight the results of the metal-sensing survey. More importantly, however, it will focus on the ancient exploitation of natural and worked copper nuggets, and fragmented, crushed, and complete copper artifacts including bells, fetishes, and other items discovered recently adjacent to Mimbres pithouses and Classic Mimbres pueblo sites dating between 950 and 1130.
Register at https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_U4MT21z6Qhm-jP4XMblodw
Anthro News Digest date: 07/09/2021