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The science of looking at the past

Crow Canyon and Fort Lewis to visit the Powerhouse Center

The Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., the Field Museum in Chicago and the Powerhouse Science Center in Durango all have something in common beyond being museums – an association with Crow Canyon Archaeological Center.

On Friday, three members of Crow Canyon’s staff will be demonstrating the science behind what they do at Pub Science, the free monthly science exploration for adults at the Powerhouse.

Laboratory manager Kari Schleher will illustrate the technology of pottery and the ins and outs of tracking past events and climate change through tree rings.

Zuni archaeologist Dan Simplicio, a cultural specialist at Crow Canyon, will show how archaeologists have traced the historical migration of the Zuni Pueblo and archaeological discoveries about the tribe’s past.

Paul Ermigiotti, an educator at the archaeological center, will teach the skill of hunting with an atlatl, an ancient hunting device that aids in throwing a spear.

Two anthropology professors from Fort Lewis College will join them in the demonstrations: Charles Riggs, an anthropologist who specializes in prehistoric architecture, migration and cultural resource management; and Kelly Jenks, an assistant anthropology professor at FLC.

It’s a big week for Crow Canyon, with several of its specialists giving presentations about their work at the Field Museum on Saturday and its Board of Trustees holding a board meeting there, too.

Crow Canyon Research Institute Executive Vice President Mark Varien will give two lectures, one on the origins and early development of the Mesa Verde Pueblo society, and a second on depopulation, migration and the transformation of the Pueblo world.

Crow Canyon’s director of archaeology, Susan Ryan, also will speak about the Chaco regional system and the rise of complexity in Pueblo culture.

“The Field Museum has an extensive Pueblo exhibit,” Crow Canyon Executive Director Deborah Gangloff said. “It made sense for them to launch their “Encounter Archaeology at the Field Museum” series by inviting Crow Canyon scholars to report on our work.”

This isn’t the first time Crow Canyon has shared its work and discoveries at a major institution.

In 2011, it was invited to participate in the Smithsonian Associates lecture series, presenting a day-long seminar that was the best-attended in the history of that series, she said. It was so successful, they were invited back in 2013.

“Crow Canyon’s scholars are noted experts in the archaeology of the Mesa Verde region, and there’s interest all over the country in the work we’re doing,” Gangloff said.

abutler@durangoherald.com

If you go

Pub Science: Digging Deeper, featuring demonstrations about the science of archaeology and anthropology, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Powerhouse Science Center, 1333 Camino del Rio. Admission is free, but attendees must be 18 or older.

Mar 31, 2016
Crow Canyon honored for 32 years of excellence


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