Pecos Conference 2013 August 11 (Sunday) August 11 (Sunday) 8:30 AM - Field Trips Fieldtrip #1 Picture Canyon, Flagstaff Kelley Hays-Gilpin Fieldtrip #2 Chevelon Canyon Petroglyph Site Chuck Adams Fieldtrip #3 Cohonina Archaeology David Wilcox Fieldtrip #4 Antelope House, Wupatki National Monument Don Keller / Brian Kranzler Fieldtrip #5 Keyhole Sink Petroglyph Site, Kaibab National Forest Neil Weintraub Fieldtrip #6 Leroux Springs and the Ski & Spur/Hotshot Ranch History Shannon Clark Fieldtrip #7 Tour A The Classic Northern Sinagua Sites Walter Gosart / Tom Woodall Fieldtrip #8 The Forts of Anderson Mesa Peter Pilles Fieldtrip #9 Atkenson Pueblo, Verde Valley Ken Zoll Fieldtrip #10 Easton Collection Center, MNA Elaine Hughes Fieldtrip #11 Piper s Fort Ted Tsouras Fieldtrip #12 Macroscopic Obsidian Identification Workshop William Bryce / Ted Roberts
Fieldtrip #1 Picture Canyon, Flagstaff Kelley Hays-Gilpin (Museum of Northern Arizona / Northern Arizona University) The city of Flagstaff recently established the Picture Canyon Natural and Cultural Preserve on the eastern edge of the city downstream from the Wildcat Hill Wastewater Treatment Plant, about a mile from the Flagstaff Mall. Trails and other aspects of management for public visitation are still in the planning stages. Tour members will see Sinagua petroglyphs and a habitation site, and learn about management challenges in this urban-wildland interface. Recommended to bring: Water, snacks, hat, sunscreen, sturdy footwear Hiking Distance: A not-particularly-strenuous 2-3 miles, but not recommended for small children due to uneven trails, lack of restrooms, and proximity of partially treated wastewater Beginning time and location: Meet at 8:30 am in the Safeway parking lot (the side toward McDonald s) on north Highway 89, just north of the Flagstaff Mall. Please avail yourselves of restrooms at one of these locations prior to carpooling to the site. There are no facilities in the Preserve Ending time and location: Tour will end sometime between 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. depending on group speed and organizational skills Maximum number of participants: 15 people
Fieldtrip #2 Chevelon Canyon Petroglyph Site Chuck Adams (Arizona State Museum) The Chevelon Canyon petroglyph site, also called The Steps, is a spectacular site within the part of the canyon with a permanent stream and great native riparian vegetation. The petroglyphs are most similar to those in the Glen Canyon area and are dominated by Basketmaker II period anthropomorphs and quadrupeds. There are also Archaic era and Pueblo period glyphs. They cover both sides of the canyon over about 500 feet on each side. Recommended to bring: Water, hat, binoculars. Hiking Distance: Many glyphs are visible from the overlook, but we can walk into the canyon using natural and constructed steps. Tennis shoe or boots are best, but not required. Walking distance is about 200 feet to the overlook, and about 1000 feet within the canyon to see all the glyphs. Beginning time and location: We will rendezvous at McDonald's parking lot at the North Park exit off I-40 in Winslow (exit 254); meet at 9 am. Any vehicle can make the trip. Limit of 15 vehicles, so carpooling is best. Ending time and location: The trip from Winslow to Chevelon and back will take about 3 hours. Maximum number of participants: 20 people (15 vehicles)
Fieldtrip #3 Cohonina Archaeology David R. Wilcox (Museum of Northern Arizona) After stopping briefly at the Parks Store (cute and historic) we will proceed west on old Route 66 to Pitman Valley Road and then north on Forest Road 74, which turns to gravel at the gas compression plant. We will stop first at Kaibab Forest site 02-145 (still need a name) where ca. 100 m from the road the MNA/NAU/VVAS Archaeological Field School did excavations in between 1989 and 1998. A variety of Cohonina features different from those known to John McGregor will be seen and discussed. We will then proceed up the road, turn off on a dirt road to park and walk about 1/4 1/2 mile though the woods (over and back again) to see the Walavudu site, a likely regional center high on a ridge coming off the west side of Sitgreaves Mountain. The walk is mostly contouring and so is not particularly difficult. Once back at the vehicles we will drive farther up the dirt road to see the location of the Rolling Rock Site were the field school excavated three pithouses (one with a suite of tree-ring dates) and two jacal structures. All these sites date in the AD 1000s. We should finish this part of the tour about noon. For those who have the time we can then drive into Williams for lunch (at a park if you bring your own or at a restaurant--this being a "civilized" field trip). Those who want to and have the time can then go south on the Perkinsville Road were we will turn off on the gravel road to Pine Flat, proceeding east and then south to the Wagner Hill trailhead. We will then walk down the trail about a mile to see the Wagner Hill Ballcourt site (see Wilcox et al., Kiva 1996), which dates about AD 1030 (based on ceramics). We will there be on the edge of the Mogollon Rim above Government Canyon to the west and Cedar Canyon to the east (pretty views). Hiking back out and driving back to Flagstaff should put us in Flagstaff by about 4:00 pm. If there is time we could stop on the way at Sycamore Point to gaze into the big Sycamore Canyon (more pretty views). Recommended to bring: Bring water, a hat, good walking shoes or boots, and a walking stick if you use one (or two). Hiking Distance: Approximately 1 mile for morning portion; 2 miles for afternoon portion Beginning time and location: We will meet at 7:30-8:00 at the WalMart parking lot, SW corner of Woodlands Blvd and Beulah on the west side of Flagstaff. We will leave at 8:00 and follow I-40 west to the Parks exit. Four-wheel drive is not required but is always nice to have. Ending time and location: Approximately 12pm for morning portion, ending near Parks; approximately 4pm for afternoon portion, ending at Williams or Flagstaff Maximum number of participants: 20
Fieldtrip #4 Antelope House, Wupatki National Monument Don Keller and Brian Kranzler (Museum of Northern Arizona) and National Park Service Archaeologist TBA Antelope House is a prominent late Ancestral Pueblo residential complex located in the backcountry of the northern portion of Wupatki National Monument. This unique masonry pueblo, situated on a low ridge at the base of the Doney Cliffs with a commanding view of the entire Wupatki basin, is multi-room and apparently two-storied, with an interesting set of associated and outlying features. The site is not generally open to the public, but recent stabilization, evaluation and mapping efforts at this and other area sites provide an occasion and context for an unusual view of the area s archaeology. Recommended to bring: Warm season hiking gear good hat, light cloths, and light but sensible footwear or running shoes, along with lunch, water, camera, binoculars, etc. Summer thunderstorm rains are possible. Hiking distance: Approximately a 1/2-mile hike up to the site over open, untrailed cinder slopes, small wash bottoms, shale areas, and sandstone ledges. Beginning time and location: Meet at 9am at the Wupatki National Monument Visitors Center parking lot, located about 40 miles north of Flagstaff on the paved loop road between Sunset Crater NM and north US Highway 89. We will vehicle pool (in 4WD high-clearance vehicles) from the VC parking lot to the unpaved two-track out to the field area. If you can provide a pool vehicle (SUV or pickup), please make room for two or three passengers. The loop road through Sunset Crater NM is scenic but slow, so please allow time for the drive, up to an hour from the Pecos Conference site. Ending time and location: Approximately 2pm, at the Wupatki NM Visitors Center parking lot. Maximum number of participants: 12
Fieldtrip #5 Keyhole Sink Petroglyph Site, Kaibab National Forest Neil Weintraub (Kaibab National Forest) Visit a classic Cohonina style petroglyph site a short 20 minute hike off Historic Route 66, 4 miles west of Parks, Arizona. One of the stunning petroglyph panels depicts what appears to be a hunting scene. More than two decades ago Kaibab archeologists eliminated two roads that led to the already well-known site, built a trail, and installed interpretive signs with the intention to further protect the site. In August 2010 vandals defaced one of its prominent petroglyph panels and shortly thereafter Kaibab archeologists worked with a conservator to remove the graffiti. We will discuss the management of such special places and also learn about the history of the Forest surrounding Keyhole Sink. Recommended to bring: Wear a sturdy pair of boots as the area consists of rocky volcanic soils; bring water and a hat Hiking Distance: The trail is right at 7000 ft. absl but the hike is only about 3/4 mile each way. It descends slightly to the petroglyphs (about 50 feet), so the return to the parking lot takes a few minutes longer, 20-25 minutes each way. Beginning time and location: We will meet at the Oak Hill Snow Play area at 9am sharp; location is 4 miles west of Parks, on the south side of Route 66. From Flagstaff, take I-40 west to exit 178, turn right at top of ramp and then left onto Route 66. Drive about 4 miles west to the Oak Hill Snow Play Area. Google map location is: https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=212739698132755769589.00049cf96821014645f9c& msa=0 Ending time and location: We should be back at the trailhead by 11 or 11:30 am Maximum number of participants: 25
Fieldtrip #6 Leroux Springs and the Ski & Spur/Hotshot Ranch History Shannon Clark (retired USFS civil engineer) Leroux Springs were critical to the early exploration of Northern Arizona by military expeditions and to the settlement of the Flagstaff area. A homestead established in the meadow below the springs was owned by several prominent Flagstaff families before it was acquired by the US Forest Service. See two of the springs, a historic cabin, a CCC-constructed water system, and learn about uses of the ranch site and the other four residences that no longer exist. Recommended to bring: Hiking footwear, water, snacks, camera Hiking Distance: Easy 2 mile walk on unpaved roads and gentle grades Beginning time and location: Meet at 9am sharp at the at the big Pecos Conference tent Ending time and location: We will return by 12pm to the conference tents Maximum number of participants: 25
Fieldtrip #7 Tour A The Classic Northern Sinagua Sites Walter Gosart and Tom Woodall (Arizona Archaeological Society, Northern Arizona Chapter) This field trip will visit the classic sites that form the basis for most archaeological definition of the Northern Sinagua area: Elden Pueblo, Turkey Hill Pueblo, Winona Village, and Ridge Ruin. Elden Pueblo is a 50+ room pueblo that was excavated by Jesse Walter Fewkes in 1926 and is the type site for the Elden Phase, AD 1150-1250. It is located on the west side of US Highway 89, one mile north of the Flagstaff mall, and can be visited on your own if you don t have time to join the tour. A self-guided trail brochure is available on-site. Turkey Hill Pueblo is a 30+ room Pueblo excavated by Byron Cummings in 1927-1928 and is the type site for the Turkey Hill Phase, AD 1250-1300. Winona Village consists of several pit house clusters around trash mounds and a ball court. The pit houses excavated at Winona Village and Ridge Ruin in the 1930 s are definitive for the Padre, Winona, and Angell phases, AD 1066-1150. Ridge Ruin is a +20 room Elden phase pueblo with two ball courts and is the pre-eminent example of a Sinagua primary site, or chief village, where the famous Magician s Burial was excavated in 1939 Recommended to bring: Hiking boots or sturdy shoes, water, hat, lunch Hiking Distance: Each site is a short walk from a dirt road. Beginning time and location: 8:00 am at the A.J. Bayless shopping center, at the junction of US 180 (Ft. Valley Road) and Humphreys Street. Tour requires a high-clearance vehicle. Ending time and location: This is an all-day trip. Maximum number of participants: 15
Fieldtrip #8 The Forts of Anderson Mesa Peter Pilles (Coconino National Forest Archaeologist) Much speculation and opinion exists about the defensive aspect of A.D. 1100-1300 hill-top sites in central Arizona. This field trip will take a look at such forts on the eastern margin of the Sinagua culture area, on Anderson Mesa. Padre Fort consists of several small pueblo units inside a walled enclosure on the end of a spur in Canyon Padre. Anderson Fort is similar in having six 1 3 room units atop a mesa that is encircled by a wall, still standing about 1 m. high. In addition, it has been identified as Hosh dik ani, an 1860 s Navajo refugee site, with hidden rooms tucked into the sides of the basalt mesa rimrock. Recommended to bring: Hiking boots or sturdy shoes, water, lunch, hat Hiking Distance: Padre Fort will involve a 1.25 mi. walk over flat country and then a steep down and up climb to the site. Anderson Fort requires a steep uphill climb to the top of the mesa where there are also some petroglyphs to see. Beginning time and location: 8:00 am at the A.J. Bayless shopping center, a hill-top site at the junction of US 180 (Ft. Valley Road) and Humphreys Street. Vehicle access to both sites is by ca. 15 mi. of graded dirt road off of Interstate 40, about 20 mi. east of Flagstaff. High clearance vehicles are not needed, although low clearance is not recommended. Ending time and location: The trip will last all day, with the morning visit to Padre Fort, and the afternoon to Anderson Fort. People can leave or join the tour around noon. Contact Peter Pilles for details. Maximum number of participants: 15
Fieldtrip #9 Atkeson Pueblo on Oak Creek and the Verde Valley Archaeology Center Ken Zoll (Verde Valley Archaeology Center) This Archaeological Conservancy property is situated just above the banks of Oak Creek in the Verde Valley. It is a Tuzigoot Phase Southern Sinagua pueblo that was occupied between AD 1300 and 1425. With 10 foot high standing walls, it is one of the best preserved pueblos in the valley. Recommended to bring: Drinking water and good walking shoes Hiking Distance: The site is relatively level with slight grades around the site and is only a few yards from the parking area Beginning time and location: Assemble at 9:00 am at the Verde Valley Archaeology Center, 385 S. Main Street, Camp Verde (Exit 287 of Interstate 17, about one hour drive from Flagstaff). Participants will carpool from the Center to the site Ending time and location: We will return to the Center no later than Noon. An optional tour of the Center will be available on our return Maximum number of participants: 14
Fieldtrip #10 Easton Collection Center, Museum of Northern Arizona Elaine Hughes (Collections Manager, Museum of Northern Arizona) In June, 2009, the Museum of Northern Arizona dedicated its Easton Collection Center, named in honor of the facility s donors, Betsy and Harry Easton of Flagstaff and Sedona. This 17,000 square foot building symbolically represents the importance of collections to MNA s mission by its construction in the heart of the Museum s historic Harold S. Colton Research Center. The Collection Center was designed to provide a stable and secure environment for a significant portion of MNA s collections including anthropological (archaeological and ethnographic), biological, fine art, and archival collections. The Collection Center has been registered through the U.S. Green Building Council s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification program and embodies the best principles of environmentally sustainable design. Perhaps one of the structure s most innovative features is an extensive living roof, planted with native grasses and wildflowers, and designed to provide a high degree of insulation for the structure and to slow run-off from the building onto the surrounding landscape. The building was designed with input from local Native American tribes, to insure culturally-appropriate storage of collections. Tour participants will enjoy a trip through the entire facility and see some of the vast collections that MNA protects. Recommended to bring: N/A; no food or beverages are allowed inside the Easton Collection Center Hiking Distance: N/A Beginning time and location: Meet at 9am in the parking lot for the Museum of Northern Arizona Harold S. Colton Research Center, on the east side of Highway 180, across from the MNA Exhibits Building Ending time and location: Tour will finish between 11:00 and 11:30 am Maximum number of participants: 10
Fieldtrip #11 Piper s Fort Ted Tsouras (Southwest Archaeology Research Alliance) Climb to the summit of Rattlesnake Crater for a tour of Piper s Fort, a late 13 th century Sinagua pueblo east of Flagstaff, AZ. The site, a highly defensible and well preserved dry-laid masonry pueblo with associated pit structures and barrier walls, was one of the last occupied Sinagua settlements in the Flagstaff area. Tour the site and enjoy the spectacular views of the San Francisco Volcanic Field from the crater summit, located approximately 500 above surrounding terrain and 2 miles east of Ridge Ruin. Recommended to bring: Drinking water and sturdy shoes/boots required Hiking Distance: A short but strenuous hike (approximately ¼ mile on basalt and occasionally deep cinder) to the crater summit Beginning time and location: Meet trip leader at 9:00 am at the Winona Trading Post / Shell gas station parking lot, I-40 Exit 211, 13 miles east of Flagstaff. A 4WD or high clearance vehicle is required for the 5 mile drive on dirt/cinder roads Ending time and location: Trip should finish by 11:30 am Maximum number of participants: 15
Fieldtrip #12 Megascopic Obsidian Identification Workshop William Bryce / Ted Roberts (Southwest Archaeology Research Alliance) The high elevation temperatures and volcanic geology of north-central Arizona provide an ideal setting for the formation of obsidian and other fine grained volcanic (FGV) materials, such as rhyolite and dacite. Multiple volcanic eruptions around 1 million years ago have resulted in a variety of obsidian and FGV sources occurring within the San Francisco Mountain and Mount Floyd volcanic fields between Flagstaff and Williams. Throughout the occupation of the American Southwest the inhabitants of the region exploited the volcanic materials because the predictable fracture and sharp edges are ideal for stone tool manufacture. This year s Pecos Conference affords the opportunity to examine the variability present in the northern Arizona obsidian and FGV sources. We will discuss the physical characteristics of the materials, examine them with low power microscopy, and then compare the various obsidians and FGVs to illustrate the differences, and often confounding similarities, among the San Francisco Mountain and Mount Floyd volcanic fields material types. Recommended to bring: Comfortable shoes and water Location: Museum of Northern Arizona. Meet outside the Anthropology Building at the Harold S. Colton Research Center (across Highway 180 from the Exhibits building) Beginning time: 9:00 am Ending time: 11:00 am Maximum number of participants: 15