GLYPHS The Monthly Newsletter of the Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society An Affiliate of the Arizona State Museum, University of Arizona Founded in 1916
Vol. 58, No. 9 Tucson, Arizona March 2008
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS ISSUE President’s Message ...... 2 Geoglyphs: Orphans of Rock Art, by John Fountain ...... 4 Emory Sekaquaptewa – Hopi’s “Noah Webster” Dies, by Lori Harwood ...... 6 The Cornerstone ...... 8
Aerial photograph of large anthropomorphic and zoomorphic geoglyphs north of Blythe, California. Note the damage by off-road vehicles.
Next General Meeting: March 17, 2008
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE AAHS LECTURE SERIES All meetings are held at the University Medical Center, Duval Auditorium Supporting the ASM Library Third Monday of the month, 7:30–9:00 p.m.
verybody enjoys a bar- of many AAHS volunteers. Dona- Mar. 17, 2008: John Fountain, Geoglyphs: The Orphans of Rock Art E gain, and there are al- tions come in throughout the year, April 21, 2008: Ruth Van Dyke, At the Still Point of the Turning World: Chaco ways many to be had at the and must be acknowledged, pro- and Its Outliers AAHS Used Book Sale. This cessed, stored, and made ready for May 19, 2008: Deborah Huntley, A Gaze at Glaze: What Glaze-decorated year’s sale, held on March 1 and 2, sale. Library staff review all donated Pottery Reveals about Pueblo IV Social Dynamics continues that tradition with a large materials and select some of them to June 16, 2008: Thomas Sheridan, Landscapes of Fraud: Mission Tumacacori, selection of books, journals, and other add to the library’s collection. The the Baca Float, and the Betrayal of the O’odham published material contributed by rest are sold at our annual sale at very many AAHS supporters. competitive prices. The purpose of the book sale is to Todd Pitezel has done a terrific job generate funds to support the Arizona as chairman of the AAHS Library DECEMBER 2007 RAFFLE PRIZE WINNERS State Museum Library. Since the first Committee, and he has worked long AAHS held its annual raffle at the December 2007 meeting. A special sale in 1992, the AAHS Book Sale has and hard throughout the year pre- thanks goes to Mel Copeland who coordinated the raffle! Winners are generated nearly $30,000, most of paring for this event. Many other listed here. which has been used to acquire new people have worked hard as well, in- materials for the ASM Library. I know cluding Debbie Carroll, Madelyn Prize Winner from Mary Graham, Head Librarian, Cook, Mary Graham, Sarah Herr, and others at the museum, that these Kylie Miller, Barbara Murphy, and Arizona Theatre Company, 2 tickets Pauline C. Hohmann Basket Peter Pilles funds have made a significant con- Sharon Urban. Quite a few others, Basket Laurel Cooper tribution to the library’s ability to ac- both from AAHS and from the library Basket Ackert quire new publications. staff, lend a hand throughout the Book: Hohokam Pottery Foster This year, the book sale is part of year, especially at sale time. I would Book: Islanders and Mainlanders G. Meier the Arizona Archaeology and Heri- like to thank every one of these people Book: Life in the Past Lane Gayle Hartmann tage Expo being hosted by ASM on for their help in supporting the ASM Book: Little River Gail Virtes March 1 and 2, in celebration of Ar- Library. Book: Navajo Weaving in the Late 20th Century Bridwell Williams chaeology and Heritage Awareness Assisting ASM has been one of the Book: Prehistoric Pueblo World E. Lowell Month in Arizona. This event features major goals of AAHS since its found- Book: Rivers of Rock Rob Rock Book: San Xavier to San Agustin Katherine Cerino many exhibits, tours, and activities, ing in 1916. That tradition is alive Bowl E. Lowell and is a great kickoff for the month- and well today, and the Annual Book California petroglyph plaque Bryon P. Johnson long, statewide celebration of Ari- Sale is one of the best manifestations Center for Desert Archaeology, membership Jo Anne Jenkins zona’s rich cultural heritage. of that spirit. Crow Canyon day program, for 2 Knutson The book sale is an annual event, Desert Museum, 4 admissions Karen Harry but it is a year-long effort on the part —Peter Boyle, President Earrings Jim Britton Earrings Jane Delaney Framed photo of Three Corn Ruin Jenny Adams If you would like to be added to the AAHS e-mail distribution list to receive remind- Hand-carved petroglyph Jo Anne Jenkins ers of lectures, last-minute field trip opportunity announcements, and notices about volunteer opportunities, please send your e-mail address to
North America Indians. His work shows that pre-Columbian Native Americans placed rock AAHS HAPPENINGS art in such a way that beams of sunlight interact with the rock images on important seasonal days such as equinoxes and solstices. Such markers often have remarkably high precision. In TOPIC OF THE MARCH 17 GENERAL MEETING addition to his own studies of numerous rock art sites, Mr. Fountain has established a database of rock art solar markers, which demonstrates they were surprisingly common and widespread. He has also conducted research on geoglyphs and Oriental archaeoastronomy. Geoglyphs: Orphans of Rock Art He has led archaeoastronomy tours for Crow Canyon Archaeological Center and was fea- by John Fountain tured in the KUAT-TV production of The Desert Speaks—Shadows of the Ancients. He has taught classes in archaeoastronomy for the Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society hysically, geoglyphs are the While the meaning and purpose and The Learning Curve of Tucson. Mr. Fountain is co-editor of the book Current Studies grandest form of rock art, yet they of most geoglyphs is not currently in Archaeoastronomy: Conversations Across Time and Space, and has published 35 P scientific papers. are probably the least studied. Along understood, through the work of the lower Gila and Colorado rivers, Johnson and von Werlhof, we under- there are hundreds of such earth fig- stand that geoglyphs played an im- ures, varying in size between 1-50 portant role in pilgrimages along the UPCOMING AAHS FIELD TRIPS meters. While most of the figures are Colorado River. They also served as AAHS membership is required to participate in field trips. Prospective members geometric or abstract, there is a sig- teaching and ceremonial venues. may attend one AAHS field trip prior to joining. Field trips are generally nificant number of anthropomorphic Geoglyphs are the most fragile limited to 20 people. and zoomorphic images. Some fig- kind of rock art. There is an urgent March 22–23, 2008 ures are made of arranged stones, need for better documentation and “Geoglyphs and Petroglyphs in the Painted Rocks Area” will be lead by while others are formed by clearing protection from rapidly growing archaeoastronomer, John Fountain. The trip will start from Painted Rocks aside gravels of desert pavement or public use of nearby lands. State Park (exit 102, Interstate 8) Saturday morning. We will visit several by tapping the gravels into the rock art and geoglyph sites in the area. Access involves roughly 2 miles of ground. Because of their large size Ezzo, Joseph A., and Jeffrey H. Altschul hiking and several steep but not difficult ascents. For those who want to stay and shallow profile, geoglyphs are 1993 Glyphs and Quarries of the Lower Colo- over, we will visit additional rock art sites, as well as the Oatman Massacre often difficult to see well from the rado River Valley. Technical Series site, on Sunday. There is a primitive campground available at Painted Rocks, ground. Indeed, the first was discov- No. 44. Statistical Research, Inc., Tucson. and some of us plan to camp there Friday night as well. There are also ered from the air. In the same region, motels in Gila Bend. To sign up, contact David McLean at
EMORY SEKAQUAPTEWA – HOPI’S “NOAH WEBSTER” DIES matters throughout his entire life,” Archaeology Center, was a consult- said Mary Sekaquaptewa, his wife, ant to the Institute for the Preserva- in a written statement. “It is certain tion of the Original Languages of the mory Sekaquaptewa, a Hopi edu- Kyakotsmovi and with the Hopi that Emory will be sorely missed by Americas to help produce children’s E cator, judge, artist, and cultural Land Negotiating Committee in the his adoring family and bilingual story- treasure, as well as a noted research 1690s, during the tumultuous dis- a multitude of dear and books, hosted a seg- anthropologist at the University of putes over tribal land between the genuine friends, col- ment for KUAT’s Arizona’s (UA) Bureau of Applied Hopi and Navajo nations. He was leagues, and students.” “Our Journeys: Research in Anthropology (BARA), executive director of the Hopi Tribal Sekaquaptewa American Indian died on December 14, 2007. Although Council and an associate judge on spent his academic ca- Epics,” and was a his birth was never recorded, he is the Hopi Tribal Court. Sekaqua- reer preserving his na- member of the Ari- believed to have been born in 1928, ptewa founded and was chief judge tive language and cul- zona State Histori- and he celebrated his birthday on of the Hopi Appellate Court and was ture. He watched suc- cal Sites Review December 28. instrumental in meshing traditional ceeding generations of Committee. Sekaquaptewa was perhaps the Hopi rules with federal and state Hopi lose touch with His other awards most recognizable face of the Hopi laws in adjudicating tribal disputes. their language, in part, he believed, include the 1989 Arizona Indian Liv- Nation. He spent nearly four decades Sekaquaptewa recently assisted due to the introduction of television ing Treasure Award, the BARA Life- at the UA, where he taught courses the Hopi over the contested use of and radio and other modern influ- time Achievement Award in 2004, such as “Hopi Language and Cul- reclaimed water at the Snowbowl ski ences in Hopi homes. and, most recently, the Byron S. ture.” His most notable academic area on the San Francisco Peaks. He For decades at BARA, he cata- Cummings Award in August 2007, achievement, though, was compiling also was working on the Hopi Mu- logued Hopi words on index cards, and the Heard Museum’s Spirit of and publishing the definitive dictio- rals Project, funded by the Getty assisted by Mark Black, Ken Hill, and the Heard Award in October 2007. nary of the Hopi language. Grant Program, at the Museum of Sheilah Nicholas. A 10-year grant Ironically, Sekaquaptewa sought Gordon Krutz, a former UA fac- Northern Arizona in Flagstaff. from the National Endowment for the none of these and other honors. His ulty member and longtime friend, In 1970, he became the first mem- Humanities helped him finish and friends and colleagues remember called Sekaquaptewa the “Noah ber of the Hopi tribe to earn a law publish the Hopi Dictionary/Hopìikwa him uniformly as self-effacing and Webster of the Hopi Nation.” degree from the UA, beginning his Lavàytutuveni: A Hopi-English Dictio- dedicated to his family, colleagues, Born in Hotevilla on the Hopi long association with the university. nary of the Third Mesa Dialect in 1998, and students. Third Mesa in northern Arizona, There are no records to indicate it, through the UA Press. The dictionary Sekaquaptewa taught his Hopi Sekaquaptewa was the first Ameri- but his family said he was the first contains about 30,000 entries, along language course every spring in the can Indian to attend West Point, and American Indian to graduate from with pronunciation guides. UA Department of Anthropology. later graduated from Brigham Young the UA with a juris doctorate. The Society for the Study of Indig- Ken Hill and Mary Black said, in a University in 1953. He spent two From 1970 to 1990, he and Gor- enous Languages of the Americas written statement, that “the course years as an Air Force officer before don Krutz were the UA’s primary li- gave its first Ken Hale Award to attracted mainly Anglo students but returning to Arizona to teach high aisons to American Indian students Sekaquaptewa in 2003, for his re- over the years an increasing number school. He and his brother Wayne and their families. “Emory was an search. BARA Director Tim Finan of Hopi students would take the also started a silversmith shop, Hopi- anchor for Hopi students who came called the dictionary an incredible course and for them, Emory provided crafts, in 1961, where they developed here,” Krutz said. “He was a sym- achievement, and one that, “will cer- special training in Hopi literacy. He innovative methods for producing bol. He made himself available.” tainly mark Emory’s legacy.” held workshops at Hopi for teachers silver overlay jewelry, the signature “He was an esteemed elder, Over the years, Sekaquaptewa and through this, as well as other ini- technique used by many Hopi artists. teacher, and mentor, was a (Hopi) served on the boards of the Hopi tiatives, Emory managed to get the Sekaquaptewa went on to serve as Priesthood Society Member and re- Education Endowment Fund Execu- governor of the Hopi village of mained active in all traditional Hopi tive Committee and the Old Pueblo (continued on page 9) Page 8 Glyphs: The Monthly Newsletter of ...... The Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society Page 9
THE CORNERSTONE elry Trading Days! March 14, 5:30– a unique selection of specially priced, 10:00 p.m.: Exclusive preview recep- previously owned Southwest Indian Trade In, Trade Up, Trade Out tion just for Friends of the ASM Col- jewelry. Free and open to the public. Southwest Indian Jewelry “Swap” to Benefit ASM lections. Don’t miss out, join the Friends and join the fun! For mem- The Cornerstone is presented by: bership information, visit
(continued from page 3) AAHS MEMBERSHIP/SUBSCRIPTION APPLICATION (A membership subscription makes a great gift for your loved ones!) DECEMBER 2007 RAFFLE PRIZE WINNERS All members receive discounts on Society field trips and classes. Monthly meetings are free and open to the public.
Jewelry: Kokopelli Jenny Adams Categories of Membership Jewelry: Lizard Jane Delaney $45 Kiva members receive 4 issues of Kiva, 12 issues of Glyphs, and all Maswick Lodge, Grand Canyon, 3 days, 2 nights for 2 Kylie Miller current benefits Mata Ortiz fish-shaped effigy pot Jesse $35 Glyphs members receive Glyphs Mata Ortiz pot James Heidke $30 Student Kiva members receive both Glyphs and Kiva Native Seed Search membership Rob Rock $15 Student Glyphs members receive Glyphs Old Pueblo Archaeology membership David E. Doyel $75 Contributors receive Glyphs, Kiva, and all current benefits Santa Fe pocket knife S. Roseman $100 Supporters receive Glyphs, Kiva, and all current benefits Southwest Mission tour for 2 Katherine Cerino $250 Sponsors receive Glyphs, Kiva, and all current benefits Southwest sandstone plaque Pauline C. Hohmann $1,000 Lifetime members receive Glyphs, Kiva, and all current benefits Southwestern National Parks, assorted basket James Justice For memberships outside the U.S., please add $20.00. Verde Valley steam train, round trip for 2 Dorothy Walters For institutional membership, contact AltaMira Press at
OLD PUEBLO ARCHAEOLOGY Gift Subscription to: ______Phone :______5100 W. Ina Rd., Tucson, AZ 85743 [Please include preferred title: Miss, Mrs., Ms., Mr., Mr. & Mrs., Mr. & Ms., etc.] Address: ______520.798.1201,
Picture Rocks Petroglyphs Site: Quadrupeds, People, and Visitors are welcome at all of the Society’s regu- Officers Other Symbols in Stone lar monthly meetings but are encouraged to become President: Peter Boyle, 520.232.1394
The objectives of the Arizona Archaeo- logical and Historical Society are to encourage scholarly pursuits in areas of history and anthropology of the southwestern United States and north- ern Mexico; to encourage the preser- vation of archaeological and histori- cal sites; to encourage the scientific and legal gathering of cultural infor- mation and materials; to publish the results of archaeological, historical, and ethnographic investigations; to aid in the functions and programs of the Arizona State Museum, Univer- sity of Arizona; and to provide edu- cational opportunities through lec- tures, field trips, and other activities. See inside back cover for information about the Society’s programs and membership and subscription re- quirements.