Letters

Too Little of Little Bighorn

As a member of the Conservancy,I enjoy all the issues of American Archaeology, but the Summer issue was really fantastic.One of the reasons I joined was because of my fascination with and concern for Southwestern prehistoric sites.The article “Driving into Prehistory”was especially wonderful.

However,it is Anita Stratos's article “Archaeology Goes to War” that is the subject of this request.The Little Bighorn story is another of my main interests.Stratos did a wonderful job within the confines of the magazine, but I would love to see more and read more from the two archaeologists in her story.Unfortunately,the map at the top of page 20 is so small as to be indistinct.The location of artifacts shown is vital to the story and to understanding who did what, where,and when.

Thank you for your dedication and mission.It makes life not only more enjoyable, but more rewarding to know of your vital work. (Jared) Adam Lynch Monroeville, Pennsylvania

No Shortage of Spencers

In the article “Archaeology Goes to War,” the author states that Spencer rifle/carbine ammunition hadn’t been manufactured for at least eight years prior to the Red River War of 1875.In fact,several companies of the 9th and 10th cavalry were still armed with Spencers as late as 1874. The U.S.Army bought over 15,000 Spencer rifles between 1861 and 1865 and outfitted 10 regiments of cavalry with Spencer carbines between 1866 and 1871.While a new Winchester ’66 or ’73 cost about $30

to $35 retail west of the Mississippi, a Spencer, complete with 100 rounds of ammunition,could be bought for about $7 in the same area.

The presence of Spencer cartridges on the Indian side of the battle in 1875 should surprise no one, and it is certainly not evidence of Indians hoarding Spencer ammunition, which remained plentiful for at least another quarter of a century. C. F. Eckhardt Seguin, Texas

Piecing the Puzzle Together

Seeing the rock foundation of a Hohokam building on page 40 of the Summer issue was simply amazing. Archaeologists are like detectives; they can take pieces of the puzzle and put them together and tell you what the ruins mean.In this case, they determined it was an agricultural building.

A tip of the proverbial hat to Del Webb for recognizing that this site needs to be preserved and being generous enough to donate it. Robert Charles Mitchell II Sacramento, California

Sending Letters to American Archaeology

American Archaeology welcomes your letters.Write to us at 5301 Central Avenue NE,Suite 402,Albuquerque,NM 87108-1517,or send us e-mail at archcons@nm.net.

We reserve the right to edit and publish letters in the magazine’s Letters department as space permits. Please include your name,address,and telephone number with all correspondence,including e-mail messages.

Editor’s Corner

Two of the feature articles in this issue— “The First Americans”and “Challenging the Clovis Paradigm”—touch upon one of the most interesting debates in American archaeology: Who were the first people to inhabit the New World? In the former article,archaeologist Brian Fagan makes the case for the Clovis being first; in the latter piece, archaeologist Michael Collins expresses a contrary view.

Not so long ago,as Fagan says, “Clovis first” was a truism.But over the last few decades, a number of researchers have questioned this “fact.” Sites that claim to offer evidence of preClovis occupation,such as Monte Verde, Cactus Hill,Meadowcroft,and Topper (see the News article on page 10) fuel the debate.

Some archaeologists speak of a “Clovis police”that refuses to consider the possibility of a pre-Clovis people. Fagan, clearly,is not a member of this force. He makes his case for Clovis with reluctance. I have spoken to several archaeologists about this debate and the majority of them believe the Clovis were the first Americans. But, with one exception,they were anything but dogmatic in their reasoning or dismissive of the work done at pre-Clovis sites.

Let the debate continue unconstrained by ideology and closed-mindedness. Without the free exchange of ideas,there is no debate.

Michael Bawaya Editor

the Archaeological Conservancy is the only national non-profit organization that identifies,acquires,and preserves the most significant archaeological sites in the

United States.Since its beginning in 1980,the Conservancy has preserved more than 210 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.

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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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Editorial Advisory Board James Bruseth, Texas Historical Commission • Allen Dart, Old Pueblo Archaeology Center Hester Davis, Arkansas Archeological Survey • David Dye, University of Memphis John Foster, California State Parks • Lynne Goldstein, Michigan State University Megg Heath, Bureau of Land Management • Susan Hector, San Diego County Parks Gwynn Henderson, Kentucky Archaeological Registry • John Henderson, Cornell University John Kelly, Washington University • Robert Kuhn, New York Historic Preservation William Lipe, Washington State University • Mark Lynott, National Park Service Bonnie McEwan, San Luis Historic Site • Giovanna Peebles, Vermont State Archaeologist Peter Pilles, U.S. Forest Service • John Roney, Bureau of Land Management Kenneth Sassaman, University of Florida • Dennis Stanford, Smithsonian Institution 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, © 2001 by TAC. Printed in the United States. Periodicals postage paid Albuquerque, NM, and additional mailing offices. Single copies are $3.95. A one-year 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) 266-1540. 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.