One of the many exciting projects of the GCAS Library, Archives, and Collections is to compile a list of all past GCAS field trips based on what was reported in our monthly newsletters. This is Phase One. When this list is as complete as it can be, Phase Two will be to match the dates and places of our field trips to the GCAS's massive collection of photographs. This two-phase project will make a more complete record of how certain archaeological sites have changed over time, which could be valuable to anyone researching a specific site.

Our archives include newsletters dating from November, 1969, to the present but unfortunately, newsletters are missing for several dates in between. That's where YOU, Dear GCAS member, come in!

If you happen to be keeping any past newsletters from any date, any decade, any century; and if you are willing to part with them permanently, please contact Your Loyal Webmaster and we will arrange to pick them up from you and immediately deliver them to the GCAS Library, Archives, and Collections for compilation.

Thank you for your help!

/s/ webmaster

During these uncertain times, we of the GCAS may be unable to gather together for a monthly meeting or field trip but scientific research goes on and it offers us abundant presentations and webinars online to suit the preferences of every avocational archaeologist. Time and space permitting, we list a selection of upcoming online opportunities on our Events page, so please check there from time to time for what's happening now.

Meanwhile, we have some information and a few websites listed below, to get you in the mood for surfing the archaeological waves of the Internet and having some social-distancing fun.

On June 3, 2020, the GCAS Board of Trustees submitted a formal comment in opposition to the US Bureau of Reclamation's Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), which proposes a diversion of the Gila River in the general area of Virden, New Mexico. All of the Bureau of Reclamation's proposed alternatives for river diversion and construction appear certain to damage or destroy a large number of historic and archaeological sites throughout the proposed project area which spans both New Mexico and Arizona.

The GCAS is very proud to announce to all of cyberspace that the Society for American Archaeology has awarded our very own Marilyn Markel their 2020 Crabtree Award for outstanding Avocational Archaeologist. The SAA will present the award to Marilyn at their annual meeting, to be held this year in Austin, Texas, from April 22 through April 26.

To be nominated for this honor, a person

"...should have made significant contributions to advance understandings of local, regional, or national archaeology through excavation, research, publication, site or collections preservation, collaboration with the professional community, and/or public outreach."

Marilyn Markel personifies all of the above, as the awards committee acknowledged:

"Marilyn Markel has a deep passion for archaeology and has spearheaded efforts in the Mimbres Valley, New Mexico, to preserve archaeological sites and educate young people of all ages on the value of the archaeological past. She has made significant contributions to our understanding and preservation of Mimbres sites in New Mexico, through over 20 years of volunteer work on university field school excavations, promotion of site protection through stewardship, transforming the local artifact-collecting community into an avocational/professional archaeological society, and educating schoolchildren about the value of archaeological heritage. Ms. Markel has assisted archaeological field schools, preserved sites, published children’s books on archaeology, and created a center devoted to the preservation and interpretation of Mimbres archaeology through educational outreach. Marilyn Markel is highly deserving of the Crabtree Award for her exemplary service to enhancing the preservation and public appreciation of New Mexico’s archaeological past."

On May 9, 2020, the Archaeological Society of New Mexico (ASNM) will formally present five individuals, including the GCAS's favorite Speakers Coordinator, Marilyn (Meem) Gendron, with the Richard A. Bice Achievement Award. This annual award recognizes individuals who have made significant and sustained contributions to advance the purpose of their local archaeological society/organization and the ASNM's goals of documenting, preserving and protecting the archaeological heritage of New Mexico. Nominees do not have to be professional archaeologists, but their achievements and dedication certainly stand out.

Have you ever thought about contributing something to our GCAS website, but weren't sure how to start?  Do you have an archaeology-related event to announce? Would you like to share a link to an article or a book you've read? Have you recently visited a historic or archaeological site and have photos to share online? Need something to keep you occupied during this Time of Social Distancing?

Saturday, March 21, 2020 through Sunday, March 22, 2020: David Greenwald, President and Board member of the Jornada Research Institute, plans a field session at Creekside Village and the Twin Kivas sites north of Tularosa, New Mexico, just after the vernal equinox (March 19). If enough participants join in there will be excavating at both sites.

Mr. Greenwald has focused the past 18 years of his work upon the history and archaeology of the entire Tularosa Basin. He is eager to share his knowledge with all who wish to participate and it is bound to be a worthwhile experience.

If interested, please follow the Jornada Research Institute's Events page as things develop, or contact them directly for details.

/s/ webmaster [photo via Jornada Research Institute]

Three groups of fourth-grade students from Deming and their teachers have scheduled a day of multi-station outdoor museum classrooms at the Mimbres Culture Heritage Site on Friday, March 6, 2020. The GCAS provides volunteer guides for these field trips, coordinated by our very own Marilyn Markel. This is the first time we will be welcoming students and teachers from Deming to our area, so we are asking GCAS members to help Marilyn in showing these young students some of their region's rich heritage.

The very next week, on Friday, March 16, 2020, it's the fourth graders from Stout Elementary School who need your help for their day of multi-station outdoor museum classrooms at the Mimbres Culture Heritage Site.

Please pitch in with Marilyn to show these students the rich cultural heritage and history in their own back yard. No experience is necessary for any of these classroom stations. These workshops begin at 9:00 AM and continue through about 2:30 PM. For specific hours and other details please contact Marilyn ASAP by telephone at 575-536-9337, or via email.Thank you in advance for your help!

/s/ webmaster

This coming Thursday, plan to attend the Eighth Natural History of the Gila Symposium, at the Global Resource Center of WNMU in Silver City from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on February 27 and 28, 2020, with field trips offered on Saturday, February 29. Thanks to the support of the Gila National Forest Service ADMISSION IS FREE. Go to the Symposium's website for further details and more news.

The Symposium offers researchers, land managers, conservationists, educators, and the general public a place to meet and share information and ideas gathered from the Gila Region including watersheds and neighboring areas extending into southwestern New Mexico, southeastern Arizona and Mexico. The informative two-day program on Thursday and Friday features speakers addressing topics from archaeology to zoology that are relevant to our special region. The Saturday field trips reinforce the previous days' educational discussions.

Three groups of fourth-grade students from Deming, along with their teachers, have scheduled a day of multi-station outdoor museum classrooms at the Mimbres Culture Heritage Site for Friday, March 6, 2020. The GCAS provides volunteer guides for these field trips, coordinated by our very own Marilyn Markel. This visit is a special one because this is the first time we will be welcoming students and teachers from Deming to our area. We are asking GCAS members to help Marilyn in showing these young students some of their region's rich heritage.

No experience is necessary for any of these classroom stations; Marilyn will quickly get you up to speed. For hours and other details please contact Marilyn ASAP by telephone at 575-536-9337, or via email. Thank you, one and all!

/s/ webmaster