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Show Archaeology in San Juan County Robert Hosier After visiting with many of the residents of San Juan County over the last seventeen years, I have been duly impressed with their concern that the archaeological artifacts and, in too many cases, the reports of scientific information gathered were not being returned to or remaining in San Juan County - the place of origin. There is a strong opinion that these materials were being taken from the area to build up big eastern colleges, and even museums of other countries, instead of being used to assist the people of the county. Some people feel that many of these archaeologists were an elitist group who gave no thought to helping build a research center here but were interested only in having residents of San Juan raise funds for them to perform archaeological excavations. I found a small group of residents who only voiced an opinion against the archaeologists as justification for their own destruction of sites in order to sell the artifacts. Fortunately, ninty-five percent of San Juan County residents want the Anasazi sites, artifacts, and reports of information gathered from excavated sites to become a part of an archaeological research center that future archaeologists can use as a reference center. This research center should have laboratories, a library, and a repository to preserve all materials for future use. It seems that the residents of San Juan County and the archaeologists have similar views as to how sites, artifacts, and reports should be treated. Now they differ only in how 45 San Juan County money should be raised to build a research center. Residents feel that the professional archaeologist has a responsibility to assist. He has come to San Juan County for years, excavated Anasazi sites, and, like the common pot-hunter, left nothing but a hole in the ground. Many uninformed residents feel the archaeologists have only a selfish interest in site preservation. They come into the county, excavate a site very secretively and leave, not reporting what was discovered. They come from large powerful eastern colleges and are interested only in building up collections for their schools of archaeology. Contributing to the problem are the two permit-issuing agencies of the federal government - the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service - which do not inform residents about permits for archaeological work. Early visitors to prehistoric ruins in White Canyon, Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah. 46 Archaeology Local residents recall the University of Sweden coming a few years ago and carrying away valuable materials with the permission of the federal government agencies. Some amateur archaeologists have taken this local attitude, with which they have been confronted, as a justification for pot-hunting. They misunderstand that the people of San Juan County do not want archaeologists unqualified in Anasazi archaeology coming to San Juan sites without a legal responsibility to leave artifacts and return written reports to our local repository at the Edge of the Cedars Museum. The people want more input into who is given permits - especially as specialists in southeastern Utah Anasazi archaeology. This will help prevent further destruction of sites and artifacts, address the problem of reports not being sent to the county, and provide better policing to protect remaining sites. Three Fingers Ruin, Hammond Canyon, USHS Collections. 47 San Juan County It has been suggested that permit issuance be tied to payment of repository expenses at the local Edge of the Cedars. Both the BLM and Forest Service would have a responsibility to collect and turn over funds charged these specialists who are granted permits to work in San Juan County. Through this program the professional archaeologist could help meet his responsibility for the local repository of artifacts. The Anasazi sites, artifacts, and scientific reports are of true value to the residents of San Juan County. We have proven our interest by promoting the building of the Edge of the Cedars Center. We ask that the professional archaeologist forget rumors and hearsay as we forget some of the inappropriate sites that have been excavated but not reported in a professional manner. Let us work together for improvement in all areas of archaeological endeavor on all of southeastern Utah Anasazi land. PART TWO Indians Navajo women at hogan in Monument Valley. USHS Collections. 49 |
