Friends of the Forest, Inc
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Friends of the Forest, Inc. P.O. Box 2391 Sedona, Arizona 86339-2391
Helping to protect National Forest Lands
February 2013
Volunteers Share Knowledge and Skills During Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month
A visit to the attic of Sedona resident and gourd artist Dean Campbell reveals many possibilities for his next decorated hard-shell gourd from among the array of natural, dried gourds of all sizes and shapes. Dean is crafting representations of the many traditional uses of gourds by native prehistoric and historic cultures, as well as decorating hard-shell gourds with Southwest motifs as an artisan. A few miles away in Camp Verde, Sedona resident and archaeoastronomer Ken Zoll is studying the latest artifacts received into the growing collection at the Verde Valley Archaeology Center, where a new exhibit features perishable items from the Honanki Heritage Site never previously displayed for the public. Both men are pursuing their passion and fascination for exploration of prehistoric cultures and ancient technologies.
Dean and Ken, who are active members and volunteers with Sedona Friends of the Forest , will team up on March 2nd from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Red Rock Ranger District Visitor Center to kick off the Sedona area events related to the 2013 Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month. Local and statewide events and programs will be offered throughout the month of March, focused on this year's theme: "Life on the Edge: Feast or Famine in Arizona's Past". In the displays and demonstrations on March 2nd, Dean and Ken will present tools and techniques representing the ancient cultures which thrived in the Southwest for thousands of years, considering particularly the means of food sourcing and production which sustained these peoples.
Dean Campbell's interpretive display explores the important role played by gourds as containers and vessels for storage, transport, cooking and eating, as well as ceremonial and musical instrument uses. He will demonstrate the steps in making a gourd tool or vessel. Ken Zoll will present a display created from the Verde Valley Archaeology Center collections featuring projectile points, tools and other artifacts representing the prehistoric cultures of our region. Ken will also speak about archaeoastronomy and findings from this field of study in relation to prehistoric agriculture and food production.
The March 2 event will be located on the terrace of the Red Rock Ranger District Visitor Center on Rt. 179, south of the Village of Oak Creek. The program will also feature David Wolfs Robe, performing Native American flute with both traditional music and original compositions. Hands on children's activities offered throughout the day will include construction of a model Sinagua dwelling, pictograph painting and tool making. At the Visitor Center gift shop, the Arizona Natural History Association will feature special interpretive merchandise such as books and CDs during the month.
The Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month will feature additional events throughout March , including talks and demonstrations by many local individuals with interests, knowledge and skills related to the prehistoric and historic cultures of our area. These programs are designed to broaden our understanding and appreciation of our cultural heritage. Please consider these events as you plan your March calendar.
Other events scheduled in March include: Two events featured by the Verde Valley Archaeology Center. The International Archaeology Film will have showings on the first four Saturdays of March (the 2nd, 9th, 16th, and 23rd) at 7:00 pm. All films will be shown at the Camp Verde Auditorium Theater, 370 Camp Lincoln Road in Camp Verde. This year's documentaries come from Greece, Spain, France, Latvia, Great Britain and the United States, including the World Premier of Sacred Shadows of Time filmed entirely in the Verde Valley. The Center will conclude the month on March 30-31 with the Second Annual Verde Valley Archaeology Fair in the Camp Verde Community Center. This event features archaeology demonstrations and lectures, as well as the annual Native American Art show. Additional information is available at www.nafestival.com.
Three events featured by the Coconino National Forest Red Rock Ranger District Heritage program. Demonstrations of ancient technologies will be offered at the V Bar B Heritage Site on Saturday March 9th and again on Saturday March 16th, including stone tool technology and fire by friction. The V Bar V Archaeology Discovery Days Fair will be held on March 23rd and 24th. This annual event has become popular for all ages, with demonstrations and activities including pottery making, spinning and weaving, Hopi piki bread and corn preparation, tool making, fire making and hunting techniques, traditional dancers and singers and much more.
A full schedule of 2013 Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month events can be found at: http://azstateparks.com/SHPO/downloads/2013_Archaeology_Calendar.pdf
Serving Sedona, written this week by Jennifer Young of Friends of the Forest, appears Wednesday in the Sedona Red Rock News.