Letters

Dressed For Battle American Indians are interesting people and I have always wanted to know more about their history and culture. The information we have is very limited. I am glad that every once in a while we get more historical information about the first native peoples that inhabited the Americas.

Your News article “Comanche Rock Art Depicts Leather-Armored Mounted Warriors” in the Summer issue was informative. With the petroglyphs, we now have some documented proof on what they wore to battle. The leather armor, made from bison skin, is unique. When they placed the armor on their horses, their horses became living tanks. Another fantastic bit about this article is that the archaeologists were able to date the rock to 1700 to 1750. That was incredible.

Paul Dale Roberts Elk Grove, California

Studying Kennewick Man I seek to clarify your News article, “Scientists Win Another Kennewick Man Ruling” in the Summer issue. The article reports the recent decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upholding the District Court’s decision as a victory of “scientists” over “Native Americans.” This shorthand reference to the plaintiffs and defendants in the case is misleading. Not all scientists are at odds with the Indian tribes and government agencies involved in this long-running suit. More importantly, the article suggests that, had the Indian tribes won, the remains would have been reburied “without a scientific study.” The Kennewick remains have been scientifically studied. Archaeologists, biological anthropologists, and physical anthropologists have conducted detailed and rigorous scientific studies organized by the Department of the Interior and the Army Corps of Engineers as part of the government’s effort to resolve this case. Your article perpetuates an inaccurate perception about scientific study of this set of human remains that is, unfortunately, widespread.

Francis P. McManamon, Ph.D, RPA Chief Archeologist, National Park Service Washington, D.C.

Special Travel Special Great Summer issue. We especially liked the “Summer Travel Special” that told of areas of interest to visit and also provided contact information. Please keep doing that for other areas of the country in rotation. We also liked the “Deciphering Maya Hieroglyphs” article.

Lewis Picher Denver, Colorado

Sending Letters to American Archaeology

American Archaeology welcomes your letters.Write to us at 5301 Central Avenue NE,Suite 902, Albuquerque,NM 87108-1517,or send us e-mail at tacmag@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

The accommodations at Casa de los Hombres were barely basic. Eight beds were crammed into four rooms. Laundry hung from makeshift clotheslines. Around five a.m. the residents began the daily competition for the single bath. A cold shower with low water pressure awaited. Later in the day there would be no running water.

After showering and dressing, it was off to the dining room for a quick breakfast, and by seven a day of hot, sweaty work commenced. The task might be cleaning and organizing artifacts in the laboratory, but more likely it was working in the field, mapping, excavating, and screening dirt for artifacts. In the field there is every manner of bug to contend with, not to mention poisonous caterpillars and snakes.

People pay good money to do this for two weeks. At least a handful of Earthwatch Institute volunteers did. They came from as far away as Australia to work on an archaeological project in southern Guatemala. This memorable, shall we say, vacation served as a bracing alternative to the more traditional fare of relaxing on the beach or touring foreign capitals.

Earthwatch Institute sends volunteers all over the world to participate in research projects, archaeological and otherwise. The work can be hard and the rewards simple—in this case the discovery of a ceramic sherd or an obsidian flake. But, cold showers and all, it can make for a very rich experience.

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

United States.Since its beginning in 1980,the Conservancy has preserved more than 295 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 Advisory Board Scott Anfinson, Minnesota Historic Preservation Ernie Boszhardt, Mississippi Valley Archaeological Center • Darrell Creel, University of Texas Jonathan Damp, Zuni Cultural Resources • Richard Daugherty, Washington State University Linda Derry, Alabama Historical Commission • Mark Esarey, Cahokia Mounds State Park Kristen Gremillion, Ohio State University • Richard Jenkins, California Dept. of Forestry Trinkle Jones, National Park Service • Linda Mayro, Pima County, Arizona Jeff Mitchem, Arkansas Archaeological Survey • Douglas Perrelli, SUNY-Buffalo Janet Rafferty, Mississippi State University • Judyth Reed, Bureau of Land Management Ann Rogers, Oregon State University • Joe Saunders, University of Louisiana-Monroe Donna Seifert, John Milner Associates • Art Spiess, Maine Historic Preservation Richard Woodbury, University of Massachusetts • Don Wyckoff, University of Oklahoma National Advertising Office Marcia Ulibarri, Advertising Representative 5301 Central Ave. NE, Suite 902, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87108; (505) 344-6018; Fax (505) 345-3430; mulibarri@earthlink.net

American Archaeology (ISSN1093-8400) is published quarterly by The Archaeological Conservancy, 5301 Central Avenue NE, Suite 902, Albuquerque, NM 87108-1517. Title registered U.S. Pat. and TM Office, © 2004 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 902, 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 902, Albuquerque, NM 87108-1517; (505) 266-1540. All rights reserved.

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