Upon this Boxing Day, as we all continue keeping COVID-safe, we may be at a loss for something new and fun to do to ring out the Old Year and ring in the New. The GCAS has just the ticket for you: PANDEMIC BINGO! It's the safe and compassionate way to keep active and engaged with avocational archaeology! Check out the Bingo card below the fold and either bookmark this post or print out your very own 8-1/2" x 11" card using the link at the bottom of this post. Contact your faithful webmaster for info about any of the activities and answers to any questions. We're playing for PRIDE, not PRIZE, so it's pure enjoyment for all the family! Let's go!

The GCAS wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday season as 2020 draws to a close. We are also grateful to our friends who, as of this writing, have donated a total of $4100 toward our goal of raising $10,000 to develop the historic Wood House at the Mimbres Culture Heritage Site into the Mimbres Archaeological Research and Education Center. Please wish these generous folks a Merry Christmas and join them in helping the GCAS accomplish our priority project:

The GCAS never wants anyone to face financial hardship or feel bad that they can't give a substantial donation to the GCAS. However many people don’t realize that even the smallest gift goes a long way toward our goal. Click on this image for some examples of the exact numbers that it takes to keep us moving forward with our MAREC project, and how we will spend your money. Don't forget we are also grateful if you can volunteer some of your time in future months when the interior rehab begins in earnest. Thank you for your generosity, whatever form it takes!

Donate here, either online or by standard mail.

Contact us by email or telephone Marianne Smith at 772-529-2627 if questions or for arranging to volunteer your time in the future.

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For all those new and returning members, our annual dues are now $20 (individual) and $30 (household). Payable at the start of the calendar year. Thank you!

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Certain advances in DNA research have recently hit the mainstream press. Bonus: the scientists include one who is a familiar friend to many of us in the GCAS. Please enjoy the following excerpts. [Spoiler alert: if you want to surprise yourself about the identity of our mystery scientist, read the whole article linked above but do not read below the fold here]:

"The Reich lab, the foremost unit in the country for research into ancient DNA, is responsible for more than half the world’s published data in the field. Having so far sequenced the DNA of more than ten thousand long-dead individuals from all over the globe, the lab is almost halfway through a five-year project to create an atlas of human migration and diversity, allowing us to peer deep into our past. The work has produced startling insights into who we are as a species, where we have come from, and what we have done to one another. Hidden in the human genome is evidence of inequality, the displacement of peoples, invasion, mass rape, and large-scale killing....“This is an example of the power of ancient DNA to reveal cultural events,” Reich [said]...It also shows how DNA evidence can upset established archeological theories and bring rejected ones back into contention....

Wednesday December 16, 2020, 7:00 PM via Zoom: The incredible GCAS Christmas party goes online! Less structured that our usual general meetings on Zoom, and everyone is invited. President Kyle expects to announce the new members of our Board of Trustees, followed by Marilyn Markel's poetic assessment of the year. For the main event President Kyle may take over the screen with what he describes as "...a slideshow of petroglyphs or excavations or something with an invitation for anyone to pipe up with questions or comments of general interest. Let me reiterate, it will be a slideshow, not a lecture, nothing deep or academic, nothing that can't be interrupted because there will be no train of thought—just photos. For those so inclined, it would not be inappropriate to grab a glass of wine and maybe show us some really fabulous snack that you would have served if we were all together in person. Maybe pick some festive background instead of your boring old house. No guarantees, and I'll pull the plug if it gets out of control, but at least if any drinks are spilled, it will be on your floor and not mine!" Watch your email for your Zoom invite; hop on Zoom at 6:45PM to get settled, and join us for the festivities!

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The GCAS thanks the following friends who, as of this writing, have donated a total of $3850 toward our goal of raising $10,000 to develop the historic Wood House at the Mimbres Culture Heritage Site into the Mimbres Archaeological Research and Education Center. Please join these generous folks in helping the GCAS accomplish our priority project: