Open Letter from the Undersigned Professional & Avocational Archaeologists Representatives Rob Bishop, Jason Chaffetz Sena
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OPEN LETTER FROM THE UNDERSIGNED PROFESSIONAL & AVOCATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGISTS REPRESENTATIVES ROB BISHOP, JASON CHAFFETZ SENATORS ORRIN HATCH & MIKE LEE PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA The greater Bears Ears region, including Cedar Mesa, contains one of America’s best-preserved collections of prehistoric dwellings, rock art, artifacts, and sacred Native American ceremonial sites that rivals and perhaps exceed those found within many nearby national parks and monuments. As archaeologists, we have a particular appreciation for the cultural, scientific and human importance of this area. We urge you to do everything in your power to protect the exceptional cultural landscape of the Bears Ears. This region would be a treasure worth preserving for future generations, if only for its scenery, wild canyons, immense vistas, and colorful red rock. However, the value of this place goes far beyond its natural beauty. It is a revered part of the cultural heritage of present-day Pueblo, Navajo, and Ute people. Evidence of twelve thousand years of human occupation in the Bears Ears area gives us all an irreplaceable connection with ancient American history. There’s perhaps no better place to experience well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan habitation sites in a backcountry setting. For well over 100 years, archaeological research in Bears Ears and specifically in Cedar Mesa area has contributed greatly to knowledge of the prehistoric cultures of the American Southwest. The region proposed by the Bears Ears Coalition for a National Conservation Area (or National Monument) contains more than 100,000 archaeological sites. The Hole-in-the-Rock Trail, over which the Mormon settlers of southeastern Utah made their way in the winter of 1879-80, traverses the area. Ever-increasing numbers of visitors are coming from across the US and even internationally to experience the cultural, historic and scenic treasures of the Bears Ears. This landscape is filled with exactly the kind of “objects” the 1906 Antiquities Act was created to protect. Yet, unfortunately the mere fact that these archaeological sites are protected by law has done little to stop more than 100 years of looting, grave robbing, and vandalism. Contrary to public opinion, this looting has not stopped. In just the last year, more than a dozen serious looting cases have been reported to law enforcement in the Bears Ears region. Increasing visitation combined with a severe lack of resources for effective management creates a newer yet no less menacing challenge to archaeology in the region. We strongly support Congressional action to designate the Bears Ears Proposal as a National Conservation Area (NCA). Such a designation could accomplish the goal of prioritizing protection of cultural resources, give Native American Tribes and Pueblos a greater say in the management of their sacred lands and allow flexibility in managing multiple land uses. This locally driven process could also resolve long-standing wilderness issues. Though a NCA is preferable, if Congress fails to act quickly to protect this landscape, we urge the President to be ready to preserve this imperiled resource as a National Monument before the end of his term. Perhaps nowhere in the United States are so many well-preserved archaeological resources found within such a striking and relatively undeveloped cultural landscape. Congress and the Executive Office should not allow the continued loss of American history from the Bears Ears. Sincerely, Archaeologists meeting at the Society for American Archaeology 80'n Annual Meeting San Francisco, CA April l5-19, 2015 The Society for American Archaeologt (SAA) is an intern^tional organization dedicaled to the research, inlerpretation, and protection ofthe archaeological he tage ofthe Ameficas. Since its inception in 1934, SAA has endeavored to stimulate intere,t and research in American archaeologt; advocated and aid in rhe consenalion ofarchaeological resources; encourage public access to and appreciotion ofarchaeolog): oppose all looting ofsites ahd the purchase and sale of looted archaeological materials: ond seme as a bond qmong those intercsled in the archaeologt of lhe Americas. Vfltill1t"'^4 (,^*A^5 g64du v trtu v,:RA-0,e,.r- Lo.t.r-ie L<t4elta,*.- 4/8 {zw gerc p6s4111 Sincerely, Archaeologists meeting at the Society for American Archaeology 80'n Annual Meeting San Francisco, CA April l5-19,2015 The Sociery for American Archaeologt (SAA) is an interholional organization dedicated to the research, interpreta!ion, and prolecrion ofthe archaeological heritage ofthe Americas. Since its inceprion in 1931, SAA has endeavored to slimulate intercst and research in American archaeologt; adtocated and aid in the conser-vation ofarchaeological resources: encourage public access to and appreciation ofarchaeologr'; oppose all looting ofsites and the purchase and sale oflooted archaeological materials; and serve as a bond among those interested in the archaeologt of the Americas. Nt'(li"o.-., D. Lip.- Fruo, 7{avaua-- /- t1,t ck(=X- L/6tt7bdT b--- P ada*q- (o-r-^ n. fud$ - 5^to^ Sincerely, Archaeologists meeting at the Society for American Archaeology E0' Annual Meeting San Francisco, CA April l5-19, 2015 The Societylor American Archoeolog (S4A) is a4 intemotional organiza,ion dedicated to ,he reseqrch, iilerpreta,ion, and prolection ofthc orchaeological heritoge ofthe lmerica' S re its inception in 1934, SAA has endeavored ,o stimulate interest and research in Americaa archaeologt; advocated and oid i4 the consemation ofarclueological resources: encourage public access to atd appreciation ofarchaeologt oppose dll looting ofsites and lhe Purchase and sale ol looted archaeological materials: and seme as a M omong those inlerested in the archaeologt of the Americas. /rt/',5 A"^/+ e Cr,rr-/- ,+ah/42 € gtl2ca.