ARCHAEOLOGY SOUTHWEST CONTINUE ON TO THE NEXT PAGE FOR YOUR magazineFREE PDF (formerly the Center for Desert Archaeology) is a private 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization that explores and protects the places of our past across the American Southwest and Mexican Northwest. We have developed an integrated, conservation- based approach known as Preservation Archaeology. Although Preservation Archaeology begins with the active protection of archaeological sites, it doesn’t end there. We utilize holistic, low-impact investigation methods in order to pursue big-picture questions about what life was like long ago. As a part of our mission to help foster advocacy and appreciation for the special places of our past, we share our discoveries with the public. This free back issue of Archaeology Southwest Magazine is one of many ways we connect people with the Southwest’s rich past. Enjoy! Not yet a member? Join today! Membership to Archaeology Southwest includes: » A Subscription to our esteemed, quarterly Archaeology Southwest Magazine » Updates from This Month at Archaeology Southwest, our monthly e-newsletter » 25% off purchases of in-print, in-stock publications through our bookstore » Discounted registration fees for Hands-On Archaeology classes and workshops » Free pdf downloads of Archaeology Southwest Magazine, including our current and most recent issues » Access to our on-site research library » Invitations to our annual members’ meeting, as well as other special events and lectures Join us at archaeologysouthwest.org/how-to-help In the meantime, stay informed at our regularly updated Facebook page! 300 N Ash Alley, Tucson AZ, 85701 • (520) 882-6946 • [email protected] • www.archaeologysouthwest.org Archaeolog'y 50uthwest Volume 16, Number 2 Center tor Desert Archaeolo&:J Spring 2002 Salmon Ruins: Fast, F resent, and Future /aul F Keec/ Center for Desert Am4aeolog.!J CHACOAN OUTLIER WAS 5UIL T A on the northern bank of the San Juan River around A.D. 1090. Chaco Canyon, the heartland of the Chaco world, lies 45 miles to the south of this 250-room pueblo, now known as Salmon Ruins. This three-story pueblo had a tower kiva in its central portion and a great kiva in its plaza (see map, page 2). Subsequent occupa­ tion by the local San Juan, or Totah (a Navajo word for "between rivers" first used by Wolky Toll and Pete McKenna to describe the ar­ chaeological region around Farmington, New Mexico), populations resulted in extensive modification of the original building. These San Juan folks used approximately 200 room spaces; created multiple subdivisions of origi­ nal large, Chacoan rooms; and placed more than 10 kivas into formerl y square rooms and plaza areas. The occupation of Salmon Ruins between A.D. 1090 and 1280 is well established by dendrochronology, archaeomagnetic dating, and ceramic cross-dating. The site was placed on the New Mexico State Register and the Na­ tional Register of Historic Places in 1970. Excavations were conducted at Salmon Salmon Ruins is located north of the San Juan River in northwestern New Mexico. It is between 1970 and 1978, under the direction just west of Bloomfield and 9 m des east of Farm ington. Nearly one-third of the rooms of of Cynthia Irwin-Williams, of Eastern New this Chacoan outlier were excavated during the 1970s. The site and the adjacent Salmon Ruins Museum are open daily to visitors. This aerial view is to the west. Mexico University, Portales. Approximately 30 percent of the site was excavated by field school crews, paid professionals, and local volunteers. In all, more than 700 individuals participated in the fieldwork. Concurrent with the field operations, laboratories were operated on the premises to wash, catalogue, and rough sort artifacts and samples. More than 1.5 million artifacts and samples were recovered from the site. In 1980, Irwin-Williams and co-principal investigator Philip Shelley compiled and edited a five-volume final report for the funding agencies (the National Science Foundation, National Endow- ment for the Humanities, and Four Corners Regional Commission, among others). Al­ Archaeolog!J 5 0uthwest though comprehensive and voluminous, the 1980 report had a very limited distribution; is a Qua rte rl.') only 100 copies were produced, mostly for universities and research libraries. Fublicatio n o hhe C e nte r ro r D esert Archaeologtj ervation needs at the museum. When the San Juan County Museum Asso­ ciation and the people of San Juan County established the museum facil­ ity 30 years ago, they demonstrated a strong commitment to caring for the collections and materials recovered during the scientific investigations at " Salmon Ruins. Now though, the ef­ !:! STEPS fects of time - coupled with changes r..-.1lJ T S H APED DOORS in curatorial standards - require the ~ PRIMARY DOORS ,-_:.---- md c:::J KNOWN WAllS massive collection of artifacts, samples, C==J PROJECTED WALLS and analytical data stored at the Re­ SALMON RUIN. 1978 search Center and Library be properly PRIMARy OCCuPATION METERS conserved. Toward that end, the Cen­ ter is supporting a Top: Map of Salmon Ruins showing the site layout during the Chacoan occupation. Bottom: Overview of Salmon's conservation and cur­ Heritage Park, which was constructed in two phases during 1990- 1992, with funds from private donors, the New ation initiative for the Mexico legislature, the Division of Contract Archaeology, and Salmon Ruins. The park is a series of reconstructed dwellings representing the diverse groups who have lived in the San Juan Basin. li'iew is to the east. Salmon Ruins collec- tions. The Center has committed to raising the funding necessary to purchase the cura­ tion materials needed to rehouse the entire collection. The Cen­ ter's generous dona­ tion of$5,000 in No­ vember 2001 marks the start of this initia­ tive. The proj ect is be­ ing undertaken as a vol unteer effort di­ rected by association board member and lo­ In late summer 2001, the Center for Desert Archaeol­ cal archaeologist Lori Reed (see page 6). ogy and the Salmon Ruins Museum, which opened in 1973, The research and curation initiatives will integrate began a three-and-a-half-year partnership to make a ma­ with, and further stimulate, other programs at Salmon j or reinvestment in this remarkable archaeological resource. Ruins. In particular, long-term stabilization of Salmon A key element of the program initiated at Salmon Ruins, Ruins and the Salmon family homestead is essential for as part of the Center's Heritage Southwest Program, is to continued high-quality visitor experiences and maintain­ bring to fruition the great research effort put forth by Irwin­ ing research values. The education program will benefit Williams and her stan' during the 1970s. A major thrust of from new research results, which can be shared through the research effort is a new look at Salmon Pueblo, not museum exhibits, tours, and expanded public outreach only as a Chacoan outlier, but in its regional San Juan con­ activities. text as well. Publication of a synthetic volume and sup­ In this issue ofAl'chaeology Southwest, the past, present, porting technical volumes is the primary goal of the Salmon and future of Salmon Ruins are explored: its past as the Ruins project. As a preservation archaeologist at the Cen­ earliest and largest Chacoan outlier; its present as a prime ter, I will be coordinating this effort at the site over the example of community-based archaeology; and its future next few years. as a participant in the Heritage Southwest program, which A second aspect of the partnership between the Cen­ will bring us closer to meeting our research and preserva­ ter and Salmon Ruins is addressing the curation and pres- tion goals. fage 2 Archaeolog,tj Southwest Volume I b, Number 2 5almon Ruins: A Vision within a Mission Lar"!} L /3aker; 5almon !\uins O NCERNED CITIZENS and Camateur archaeologists long ago foresaw that vandalism and loot­ ing, as well as housing development, would put the cultural legacy of San Juan County, New Mexico, at risk. In 1964, their efforts resulted in the cre­ ation of the San Juan County Mu­ seum Association, which is dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage of the Four Corners area. They created the following mission statement to keep them focused on the important task before them. The purpose of this organization shall be: • To conserve the historic and Salmon Ruins from the ail; as it appeared in 1969, prior to excavation. The mound visible in the prehistoric resources, land­ upper center is the unexcavated tower kiva. View is to the north. marks, remains and records of the Four Corners Area (primarily the San Juan support the Salmon Ruins Museum and other association County of New Mexico and adjacent states and endeavors. counties) and to make them more generally known Funding for Salmon Ruins comes primarily from the to the public. contract archaeology and stabilization activities of DCA, • To establish and maintain a museum or museums along with yearly input from San Juan County. Private in the area for the storage, preservation and display donations comprise a critical part of our operating base, of artifacts and records. and corporate sponsors, such as Williams Field Services, have made invaluable contributions. • To cooperate with and encourage worthy movements In 2001, we were awarded a conservation assessment that have as their obj ect the advancement of and in­ project grant from the Institute of Museum and Library terest in the area's historic and prehistoric cultures, Services. The project will provide insights into our conser­ native arts and crafts of the southwest and advance­ vation needs beyond the basic rehousing of artifacts and ment of knowledge in the natural history and natu­ will set the stage for future conservation and curation work ral resources of the area.