Friends of Archaeology

The Society for American Archaeology has awarded the Museum of New Mexico's Office of Archaeological Studies its prestigious Excellence in Public Education Award for 2005. Established in 1997, the award is presented to institutions, individuals, and members of the press who improve public understanding and appreciation of anthropology and archaeology.

The Friends of Archaeology is a support committee for the Museum of New Mexico Office of Archaeological Studies. This agency maintains laboratories and services that support archaeological research, specializing in the analysis of pottery, plant remains and animal bone. Its archaeomagnetic dating facility serves a worldwide clientele. Foundation members may join our Friends group at no cost. Some of our programs are described below:

  • GALISTEO BASIN INITIATIVE
    The Office of Archaeological Studies carries out collaborative works at Galisteo Pueblo, mapping, recording, and constructing erosion control structures, and participating in the Rock Art Field School. For more information or to participate, e-mail Eric Blinman.
  • EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH
    Archaeology provides a unique perspective into New Mexico's past. The staff at the Office of Archaeological Studies strives to promote excitement, appreciation, and sensitivity for New Mexico's varied cultural heritage through lectures, demonstrations, and other outreach activities offered to school and community groups across the state.

How do I join Friends of Archaeology?

Already a Museum member? Click here to be added to the Friends of Archaeology mailing list. Not a Museum Foundation member yet? Click here to join online.

Upcoming Events

SEPTEMBER 2010

18
Saturday

Archaeology of Gallina Site
8 am - 5 pm
Day trip to the Gallina archaeological sites located in the Llaves Valley, between Cuba and Coyote, NM. Between 1050 and 1250, this rugged beautiful country was the home of Ancestral Puebloans of the Gallina Culture who lived in small settlements along the mesa tops, river terraces, and steep hillsides. They are particularly noted for the stone towers and terraced gardens with water-control systems they left behind. Archaeologist Mike Bremer will be our leader. We will meet at 8 a.m. at the lower Museum Hill parking area where we will sign in and organize carpooling. We will be back around 5 p.m. Bring water, and appropriate clothing and footwear for hiking. Lunch will be provided. Trip is rated moderate to strenuous - activity will include walking into some of the sites up steep grades and uneven surfaces over distances up to a mile.
Contact Info:
Please call the FOA Reservation Hotline (505) 982-7799, ext. 5 to reserve. Sign up begins on August 9, 2010 at 12:00 a.m. Cost: $80 for FOA members and $95 for non-members of the Museum of New Mexico Foundation. Participation is limited to 20 people.

26
Sunday

Chiles and Sherds VIII at Piedras Marcadas
Join the Friends of Archaeology for their annual Chiles and Sherds celebration of the archaeology and cuisine of New Mexico. This year's event will be held at Piedras Marcadas, located in a beautiful bosque along the Rio Grande, on the grounds of the Open Space Center in Albuquerque. Coronado’s forces attacked and overwhelmed this pueblo, leaving behind cross bow bolts and obsidian blades. The obsidian blades belonged to the Mexican Indians who were brought up as part of Coronado’s army, adding a distinctive Mesoamerican flavor that we rarely glimpse in Rio Grande Valley archaeology. The event will include small group tours of the archaeological site, displays and demonstrations of 16th century archery and pottery, a tasty lunch and walks through the garden.
Contact Info:
Tickets are $95 and are on sale at www.ticketssantafe.org or at the Lensic 505-988-1234. If you have questions, please call 505-982-6366 x112

OCTOBER 2010

13 - 16
Wednesday-Saturday

Zuni and Surroundings
6 pm - 5 pm
Field trip to Zuni Pueblo, including archaeological sites, Our trip will focus on the fascinating history since the First Encounter with Europeans and we will visit numerous sites important to the history of this era. Participants will meet in Gallup on Wednesday evening, October 13, for a group dinner and introductory talk by archaeology guides. Our central location will be the Hampton Inn & Suites West in Gallup. We will caravan to the Zuni Pueblo Thursday and Friday for discussions, tours, and visits to sites such as Hawikku, Matsaka, Kiaki:ma, and Great Kivas. There will be a traditional Zuni lunch at a Shalako house one day and a picnic another. Led by Office of Archaeological Studies' Matt Barbour, we will visit Atsinna Pueblo, which is ancestral to Zuni, with an optional visit to Casamero Pueblo, a Chacoan Outlier, on the way to Albuquerque Saturday.
Contact Info:
The trip fee of $350 for MNMF members or $400 for non-members, and this includes archaeological guides at Zuni, Wednesday dinner at a Gallup restaurant, two lunches on tour days, admittance to parks and museums, and a $125 tax-deductible contribution to support the educational programs of the Office of Archaeological Studies. Trip participants will be responsible for their travel to and from Gallup, lodging, and other meals. Reserve your place by calling 505-992-2715 ext.8.

29
Friday

Trinity Site Field Trip
With the guidance of Tour leader Ellen Bradbury-Reid, an expert on the Manhattan Project, we will learn why the Project was situated in New Mexico and the long-term affect of scientific contact in what had been a mostly pastoral land. Participants will receive a moment-bymoment account of what transpired at Trinity in the 24 hours leading up to the explosion and will stand in the locations where the bomb was assembled and where it was exploded. This trip is dependent on military access to White Sands, so we have reserved both Friday, Oct. 29 and Monday, Nov 1 for access to the Site. The trip has to be tentative until October 15 when we will learn if and when we can enter White Sands Missile range.
Contact Info:
Cost is $95 including bus from Socorro and lunch at the famous hamburger “joint” where the scientists ate coming and going from White Sands. . Sign up begins Sept. 18, by calling 982-7799 ext 5.

NOVEMBER 2010

7
Sunday

Friends of Archaeology - Annual Holiday Party and Auction
3 pm - 6 pm
The Friends of Archaeology invite you to their 2010 Celebration of Archaeology at Hotel Santa Fe. Come and meet the Archaeologists, share their secrets and bid on silent auction items. Tickets: $20 per person, includes light buffet and 1 beverage at no-host bar. This annual celebration benefits exciting projects of the Office of Archaeological Studies throughout New Mexico.
Contact Info:
Tickets may be purchased at the door.

JANUARY 2011

14
Friday

Friends of Archaeology: Lecture I
7 pm - 8 pm
Women in Archaeology lecture I
Contact Info:
Mark Your Calendar

21
Friday

Friends of Archaeology: Lecture II
7 pm - 8 pm
Women in Archaeology lecture II
Contact Info:
Mark your Calendar

28
Friday

Friends of Archaeology: Lecture III
7 pm - 8 pm
Women in Archaeology lecture III
Contact Info:
Mark Your Calendar

FEBRUARY 2011

4
Friday

Friends of Archaeology: Lecture IV
7 pm - 8 pm
Women in Archaeology lecture IV
Contact Info:
Mark Your Calendar

11
Friday

Friends of Archaeology: Lecture V
7 pm - 8 pm
Women in Archaeology lecture V
Contact Info:
Mark Your Calendar

MARCH 2011

25 - 28
Friday-Monday

Southern Arizona Archaeology Field Trip
We will study the Hohokam and visit archaeological sites on the San Pedro River valley. We will also visit Spanish missions south of Tucson, the Arizona State Museum and sites in the vicinity of Tucson. The trip will start Friday evening with dinner and discussions in Tucson, and end at noon on Monday. Participants can fly or drive to Tucson, and we plan to travel by vans from Tucson.
Contact Info:
Mark Your Calendar, More information will be posted in the November Friends of Archaeology Newsletter, and trip cost in the Friends of Archaeology program brochure mailed

APRIL 2011

22
Friday

Civil War Lecture
The lecture introduces a program of site visits to Glorieta and Fort Craig.
MAY 2011

7
Saturday

Glorieta Civil War Field Trip
Visit to Civil War site

21
Saturday

Fort Craig Civil War Site
We will visit the site of Civil War battle and a Piro Pueblo archaeology site near Bosque del Apache
JUNE 2011

5
Sunday

Chiles and Sherds IX
Archaeology and Cuisine of New Mexico
Contact Info:
Mark Your Calendar

18
Saturday

Jemez Caves Loop
Day trip to Jemez Pueblo