Letters

An End to the Vinland Map Controversy? I was greatly interested in the News article “The Vinland Map: Genuine or Fake?” that appeared in the Summer issue of American Archaeology. I have been interested in the subject of Viking explorations in North America all my life, and ever since Yale published The Vinland Map and the Tartar Relation, I have hoped the issue of its genuineness would eventually be solved. Now, perhaps it may be. Please keep your readers posted. Elizabeth Stewart Rochester, New York

The Adventure of Archaeology Your Summer issue had a superb article entitled “Archaeology Along the Mohawk.” There is so much to learn from American Indian village sites, and it must have been a thrill to unearth history from the Iroquois. The information that can be obtained around the Palatine Bridge is unfathomably rich.

One of the most exciting moments for me was when I was 12 years old and living in Monterey. We were building a rock wall around our house, and during the digging we dug up two Indian arrowheads, which we donated to the Monterey Museum. Later on while digging, we dug up a whole cow skeleton with a cowbell. Of course, when we first saw the bones, we thought we had a dinosaur. You can say I was somewhat disappointed. Ever since then, I have enjoyed the adventure of archaeology through publications like yours.

Paul Dale Roberts Elk Grove, California

No Puffery, Please I have delayed my membership renewal because I am greatly disturbed by the puff piece about Crow Canyon in your Spring issue. I was an enthusiastic member of Crow Canyon for years. I worked at Sand Canyon for three sessions with the person who began the excavations and finished them: Bruce Bradley. Sand Canyon is, was, and always will be Bruce Bradley, especially to anyone who actually worked there.

When I need public relations/ marketing pieces such as the article in your magazine, I will start looking at my junk mail. I am greatly concerned about the veracity of the rest of your pieces, but I am renewing my membership under the premise that the good you do by preserving land outweighs the specious quality of some articles in your magazine. Joan A. Cameron Paris, Virginia

Editor’s Corner

You might notice that our current issue has expanded to 48 pages. We chose to increase the page count because we wanted to broaden our coverage of the fascinating world of American archaeology and we simply couldn’t squeeze everything into our old 40-page format.But even with the extra pages,we were pressed for space.

With the expansion of the magazine, we’re able to offer more feature articles and new, occasional departments.On page 33,we have a short feature on the Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center,a growing nonprofit organization that has been doing important work for more than 20 years.On page 35,you’ll find the debut of one of our new departments, Legends of Archaeology, which features the exploits of Matt Stirling.

In future issues we will bring you other new,occasional departments,including debates between prominent archaeologists concerning some of the field’s more controversial issues,and advice from professional photographers on how to photograph archaeological sites.

Now that we have the extra pages,we intend to put them to good use.

Michael Bawaya, Editor

Sending Letters to American Archaeology

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WELCOME TO t he Archaeological Conservancy is the only national non-profit organization that identifies, acquires,and preserves the most THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONSERVANCY! significant archaeological sites in the

United States.Since its beginning in 1980,the Conservancy has acquired more than 195 sites across the nation, ranging in age from the earliest habitation sites in North America to a 19thcentury frontier army post. We are building a national system of archaeological preserves to ensure the survival of our irreplaceable cultural heritage.

Why Save Archaeological Sites? The ancient people of North America left virtually no written records of their cultures. Clues that might someday solve the mysteries of prehistoric America are still missing, and when a ruin is destroyed by looters, or leveled for a shopping center, precious information is lost. By permanently preserving endangered ruins, we make sure they will be here for future generations to study and enjoy.

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The Role of the Magazine: American Archaeology is the only popular magazine devoted to presenting the rich diversity of archaeology in the Americas. The purpose of the magazine is to help readers appreciate and understand the archaeological wonders available to them, and to raise their awareness of the destruction of our cultural heritage. By sharing new discoveries, research, and activities in an enjoyable and informative way, we hope we can make learning about ancient America as exciting as it is essential.

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Editorial Advisor y Board Mark Barnes, National Park Service • James Bruseth, Texas Historical Commission William Dancey, Ohio State University • Allen Dart, Old Pueblo Archaeology Center Hester Davis, Arkansas Archeological Survey • James Dixon, University of Colorado Brian Fagan, U.C. Santa Barbara • John Foster, California State Parks Lynne Goldstein, Michigan State University • Peter Harrison, Maxwell Museum Gwynn Henderson, Kentucky Archaeological Registry • John Henderson, Cornell University William Lipe, Washington State University • Bonnie McEwan, San Luis Historic Site James Miller, Florida State Archaeologist • Peter Pilles, U.S. Forest Service John Roney, Bureau of Land Management • Lynne Sebastian, New Mexico Dennis Stanford, Smithsonian Institution • Vincas Steponaitis, University of North Carolina Kathryn Toepel, Heritage Research Associates • Richard Woodbury, University of Massachusetts

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American Archaeology (ISSN1093-8400) is published quarterly by The Archaeological Conservancy, 5301 Central Avenue NE, Suite 402, Albuquerque, NM 87108-1517. Title registered U.S. Pat. and TM Office, © 2000 by TAC. Printed in the United States. Periodicals postage paid Albuquerque, NM, and additional mailing offices. Single copies are $3.95. A oneyear membership to the Conservancy is $25 and includes receipt of American Archaeology. Of the member’s dues, $6 is designated for a one-year magazine subscription. READERS: For new memberships, renewals, or change of address, write to The Archaeological Conservancy, 5301 Central Avenue NE, Suite 402, Albuquerque, NM 87108-1517, or call (505) 2661540. For changes of address, include old and new addresses. Articles are published for educational purposes and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Conservancy, its editorial board, or American Archaeology. Article proposals and artwork should be addressed to the editor. No responsibility assumed for unsolicited material. All articles receive expert review. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to American Archaeology, The Archaeological Conservancy, 5301 Central Avenue NE, Suite 402, Albuquerque, NM 87108-1517; (505) 266-1540. All rights reserved. American Archaeology does not accept advertising from dealers in archaeological artifacts or antiquities.