We have a winner!

The GCAS’s own treasurer, Kathryn McCarroll, received a Richard A. Bice Award For Archaeological Achievement at the May 2-4, 2025, annual meeting of the Archaeological Society of New Mexico (ASNM) in Albuquerque. The ASNM’s Bice Award recognizes individuals who have made significant and sustained contributions to their local archaeological society and Kathryn has served the GCAS’s mission since her first day as a member. She’s been a reliable volunteer in our educational programs and public outreach events and has served as GCAS treasurer and as a member of our board of directors since January 2023. She extends the GCAS’s mission to her extra work as a volunteer at the WNMU Museum where you might find her cleaning and mending ceramic artifacts under Museum director Danni Romero’s guidance.

Congratulations on your Bice Award, Kathryn – you’ve earned it!

/s/ webmaster

Long-time followers of this here blog know how highly the GCAS values scientific advances of all kinds, especially science that applies to the study of archaeology in our region. Especially-especially, if that science involves DNA analysis.

On May 1, 2025, the Picuris Pueblo in northern New Mexico announced the results of a DNA study they recently undertook. The results confirm the Picuris oral traditions: that they are indeed related to ancient people who lived on the land they currently occupy, as well as to one or more ancient Indigenous groups who lived a few hundred miles away in Chaco Canyon. The Picuris experience will hopefully encourage other Native groups to use DNA studies to support their own, separate oral traditions, and enhance their people's understanding of their own pasts. Enjoy the whole article, and congratulate the Picuris Pueblo for taking an important step forward for their culture - and for us all.

/s/ webmaster

Tuesday, June 10-Monday, July 21, 2025: The Preservation Archaeology Museum Curation and Survey Field School sponsored by Archaeology Southwest, Western New Mexico University, and the University of Arizona, begins for student participants with 3 days at Archaeology Southwest and the University of Arizona in Tucson, then continues for the next several weeks at the WNMU Museum in Silver City and the NAN Ranch in the lower Mimbres Valley.

Fill your calendar with a number of adventures on offer by the Jornada Research Institute. Consider any or all of the following:

Tuesday, May 20, 2025: sponsored by the Jornada Research Institute, Acting Superintendent at White Sands National Park will present his interpretations regarding the investigations of the Trackways on the Shore of Lake Otero. More on this in future JRI announcements; contact Dave Greenwald for details.