This season’s throw was held with near-perfect weather and an excellent attendance.  There were 35 throwers and about 20 spectators.  The event was focused on a field round and an ISAC throw.  See the photos here:

2009 Atlatl Throw Photos

An experimental panorama showing the portion of the site managed by ENMU.  This is a full 360 degree view from the west-central portion of the site.  Hopefully the file size doesn’t overwhelm slower connections.

Click image for larger version.

The Sun Mountain Gathering was held at the Museum of New Mexico complex last weekend.  The event is a hands-on gathering with many skilled and knowledgable people from around New Mexico.  I represented the site, bringing a poster display of recent work as well as some hands-on archaeological reconstructions.  It was a busy day answering questions and talking to the public with a wide variety of interests.  I was most surprised by how few people from the Santa Fe area knew where Clovis or Portales were.

Prime location under the portal.

Added 2 November!  Here is a link to the poster designed with excellent help from the ENMU Communication Services.  or here: http://theclovissite.wordpress.com/2009-poster/

“ancient pots were so numerous they were used for target practice”

“Around here, it’s not a crime. It’s a way of life”

This is an excellent article on the culture of pothunting and the recent repercussions in the way of arrests in southeast Utah.

“A Town’s Love of Indian Artifacts Backfires”

I am working on correcting the many erratta in our bibliography.  This was thrown together quickly from several sources.  Several mistakes have been pointed out and I am currently checking a few every chance I get.  I am also correcting the alphabetizing as I go through.  Patience please.

View to west in the South Bank bison kill area.

The crew is continuing the painstaking process of mapping, identifying, and preserving bison bone in the Interpretive Building.  Some of the fragile bones have suffered minor damage since being uncovered.  Identifying and repairing these bones takes a special kind of trained eye and persistence.

Take your pick.  I couldn’t decide which was better.  A few of our excellent volunteers are missing but this is the core of the field school.

Thanks to everyone for all the hard work.  I hope there was much learned as well.

Brody giving a family tour

Jim Warnica conferring with Vance Haynes

Alisha, Stephanie, and Stacey Excavating Bone.

I have been slow to post photos after long days.  Here are a few more for now.

Bison Teeth

Base of Unit

This photo shows the general level of bone preservation observed in the excavation.  The circular anomaly is the remnant of an auger hole.

Metacarpal

Note the attached sesamoids and apparent articulation descending into the unexcavated strata.

This specimen was re-covered and awaits excavation next year.

Bison front leg.

This specimen shows the remarkable preservation associated with this kill-site.

Bison atlas.

I just wanted to thank Doug Sain for all the great photos he took over the field season this year.

Good luck in the new post.