Friends of Archaeology

The Society for American Archaeology has awarded the Museum of New Mexico's Office of Archaeological Studies its prestigious Excellence in Public Education Award for 2005. Established in 1997, the award is presented to institutions, individuals, and members of the press who improve public understanding and appreciation of anthropology and archaeology.

The Friends of Archaeology is a support committee for the Museum of New Mexico Office of Archaeological Studies. This agency maintains laboratories and services that support archaeological research, specializing in the analysis of pottery, plant remains and animal bone. Its archaeomagnetic dating facility serves a worldwide clientele. Foundation members may join our Friends group at no cost. Some of our programs are described below:

  • GALISTEO BASIN INITIATIVE
    The Office of Archaeological Studies carries out collaborative works at Galisteo Pueblo, mapping, recording, and constructing erosion control structures, and participating in the Rock Art Field School. For more information or to participate, e-mail Eric Blinman.
  • EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH
    Archaeology provides a unique perspective into New Mexico's past. The staff at the Office of Archaeological Studies strives to promote excitement, appreciation, and sensitivity for New Mexico's varied cultural heritage through lectures, demonstrations, and other outreach activities offered to school and community groups across the state.

How do I join Friends of Archaeology?

Already a Museum member? Click here to be added to the Friends of Archaeology mailing list. Not a Museum Foundation member yet? Click here to join online.

Upcoming Events

MARCH 2010

27
Saturday

Beneath the City Different; the Archaeology of Santa Fe
1 pm - 5:30 pm
For more than half a century, archaeologists have been excavating sites representing Santa Fe’s 400-year history and much deeper prehistory. In this symposium, Santa Fe archaeologists will present highlights of their findings. Topics will include Archaic-period hunters-gatherers, Pueblo farmers, Spanish-Colonial settlers, and Anglo-American immigrants who arrived over the Santa Fe Trail and by railroad. This event is sponsored by the School for Advanced Research and Friends of Archaeology,
Contact Info:
For more info, visit arch.santafe.sarweb.org.

MAY 2010

23
Sunday

Coronado State Monument Pot Luck
12 pm - 4 pm
Friends of Archaeology and Friends of the Coronado State Monument will meet under the portal of the Monument's Visitor Center, designed by architect John Gaw Meem, equipped with our favorite dishes to meet, mix, and mingle. From 1:00 to 2:00 PM, docents will guide tours throughout the monument, including the Kiva Mural Room. At 2:00 Dr. Eric Blinman will verbally explore possible connections between Kuauans and contemporary Pueblo people. Dr. Helen Crotty, whose dissertation for UNM compared murals of Awatovi, AZ, Pottery Mounds, NM, Zuni and Kuaua, will wrap up our wonderful afternoon with a talk.
Contact Info:
Call the FOA Reservation Hotline, (505) 992-2715, ext. 8, beginning April 1. A volunteer will call you back to answer any questions, provide directions to Coronado State Monument and record the food item you wish to bring. This is a free event.

JUNE 2010

4 - 7
Friday-Monday

Archaeology Field Trip to the Mimbres Valley
5:30 pm - 12 pm
Field Trip to the Gila Cliffs and archaeological sites of the Gila and Mimbres region. We will visit the museum of Western New Mexico University to study mimbres ceramics and learn about the prehistory of Mimbres and Mogollon cultures. We will tour sites of the Mogollon/Mimbres in the Mimbres Valley, around Lake Roberts and north, to the Gila Cliff Dwellings and TJ ruin. There will also be a side trip to the Woodrow site in the Gila-Cliff area to the west of Silver City. We plan to have a base in a hotel in Silver City for the trip.
Contact Info:
Sign up begins March 15. Call (505) 982-7799, ext. 5 to reserve.

SEPTEMBER 2010

18
Saturday

Archaeology of Gallina Site
Day trip to the Gallina archaeological sites located in the Llaves Valley, between Cuba and Coyote, NM.
Contact Info:
Mark Your Calendar

26
Sunday

Chiles and Sherds VIII at Piedras Marcadas
Join the Friends of Archaeology for their annual Chiles and Sherds celebration of the archaeology and cuisine of New Mexico. This year's event will be held at Piedras Marcadas, located in a beautiful bosque along the Rio Grande, on the grounds of the Open Space Center in Albuquerque. Coronado’s forces attacked and overwhelmed this pueblo, leaving behind cross bow bolts and obsidian blades. The obsidian blades belonged to the Mexican Indians who were brought up as part of Coronado’s army, adding a distinctive Mesoamerican flavor that we rarely glimpse in Rio Grande Valley archaeology. The event will include small group tours of the archaeological site, displays and demonstrations of 16th century archery and pottery, a tasty lunch and walks through the garden.
Contact Info:
Mark your calendar and watch this site for more information!

OCTOBER 2010

30 - 31
Saturday-Sunday

Trinity Site Field Trip
Field trip to the Trinity site where the atomic bomb was tested in 1945. We plan to develop the role of atomic development in the Cold War and will continue to Alamogordo site.
Contact Info:
Mark Your Calendar

MARCH 2011

18 - 21
Friday-Monday

Southern Arizona Archaeology Field Trip
6 pm - 12 pm
We will study the Hohokam and visit archaeological sites on the San Pedro River valley, which illustrate migrations of pueblo peoples from Hopi and Zuni into the Hohokam region, as well as other points of interest. We will also visit Spanish missions south of Tucson, the Arizona State Museum and sites in the vicinity of Tucson. The trip will start Friday evening with dinner and discussions in Tucson, and end at noon on Monday. Participants can fly or drive to Tucson, and we plan to travel by vans from Tucson.
Contact Info:
Mark Your Calendar, More information will be posted in the November Friends of Archaeology Newsletter, and trip cost in the FOA program brochure mailed New Years. Sign up starts Jan. 15.