Apr 26 2012
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Archaeological Survey, Archaeology, Field Work

Archaeology: What’s for Lunch?

What do you do about lunch in the field?  I like to pack light, so even on excavation (when lots of techs bring coolers full of a variety of foods) I want my food to fit in my backpack, with my trowel, pick, measuring tape, notebook and water.

Therefore, my food needs to be able to endure heat, be impermeable to dirt, and withstand being knocked about.  What are my favorite field foods?  Prepared goods from the grocery store!

I’m not a fan of saturated fat or high fructose corn syrup.  So what do I eat?

Trader Joe’s mostly.

Source: Archaeo Field Tech's Kitchen

1. Clif Bars are your best friend.  They pack the perfect amount of calories and nutrients to keep you going throughout the day.  Take advantage of your two 15 minute breaks with one of these guys.  I like White Chocolate Macadamia Nut, Peanut Toffee Buzz and Oatmeal Raisin.  Also- Luna bars- read CHOCOLATE.  I also love Luna bars for providing delicious chocolate flavors that are much lower in saturated fat than regular chocolate.  As a former chocolate addict, these bars are my savior.

2. Hard sourdough pretzels.  Super low in fat, lots of salt to help keep you hydrated!

3. Grape tomatoes- these require tupperware, although they also do remarkably well in plastic baggies if you want to destroy the environment that way. Grapes are also great this way.

4. Artichoke & Heart of Palm salad.  The way this one is packaged is genius- no leaky dressings! And no meat or cream to go bad in the heat.

5. Shelled edamame. Fantastic snack food, high in protein, low in fat.  Lots of energy in these guys.

6. Indian dishes packed like space food.  Fellow field tech Gregg pointed me in the direction of these awesome, flavor-packed dishes. They have been a field staple ever since.  These go great with #7- whole wheat flour tortillas.

Source: Archaeo Field Tech's Kitchen

7. Hand-made whole wheat flour tortillas. These aren’t always available, the regular whole wheat flour tortillas are a good substitute.

8. Mozzerella & kalamata olive salad. This one isn’t packed as well as the previous salad, but it won’t leak liquids- which is key. The problem with this one is really that it has cheese in it- which pushes that saturated fat content up pretty high. What do you do? Don’t eat the cheese!

9. Cooked vegetables in tupperware!  How do you cook vegetables in a motel room?  I recommend buying either frozen veggies and making use out of that microwave.  Frozen veggies are available at most (all?) grocery stores nation wide.

10. Chickenless Chicken- works great in wraps and sandwiches!  Keeps better than real chicken too!

I have it on good authority (from fellow field techs Tad & Jennifer) that  St. Dalfour’s canned goods are delicious and nutritious, and check it out- fork attached!  These require planning, because you have to order them online.

Source: Amazon.com

What foods don’t work?

1. Bananas.  There are too many sharp things in my backpack for a banana to survive the day. It ends up bruised, broken and mushy.

2. Peaches- for the same reason. Although they survive better if you wrap them in a paper towel and eat them early in the day.

3. Fast food.  This stuff is high in saturated fat and sodium, so if you plan on eating it all day you’ll end up feeling like shit. Sure it’s quick, easy to pick up on the way to the site, but it’s not going to provide the energy you need to do anything. You’ll most likely end up feeling sick all day.

4. Chicken salad/tuna salad/mayonnaise.  These are okay in the winter, when it’s cold and the world acts like a refrigerator. In the spring, summer and fall- no dice. They spoil.

5. Yogurt- turns to liquid, a consistency that I personally can’t stand.  Also- it can pop and get all over everything- see 1. Bananas.

Disclaimer: I am not a professional nutritionist.  I am a professional archaeologist.  I do not presume to know anything about nutrition or what will or will not work for you.

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Apr 11 2012
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Archaeology, North America

America’s Parks

Two scathing reviews of the National Park Service’s approach to its historical resources were published recently:

Imperiled Promise: The State of History in the National Park Service, The Organization of American Historians

The State of America’s National Parks, The National Parks Conservation Association

In local news:

Source: Antelope Valley Indian Museum

In case you didn’t know, 70 California state parks are slated for impending closure. One Huffington Post article posits that this closure plan somehow forgot to include the treatment, packing, transportation and storage, of the thousands of artifacts these parks curate, including the two artifacts depicted here.

Source: Antelope Valley Indian Museum

Update: In response to the park closures, reduction in funding to the NPS and the state of cultural resources within parks in general, a select number of universities are offering a new certificate program entitled Leadership for Public Lands and Cultural Heritage!

The Leadership for Public Lands and Cultural Heritage Program began in January, 2011 with a class of 14 students. These students will be graduating from the program in May, 2012. Next year’s program is currently on hold, but hopefully it will start up again in the future.

The program’s curriculum was created by the universities involved in conjunction with the  National Park Service, the Center for Park Management and the National Park Conservation Association.  At least one of the professors was previously (or is currently) employed by the National Park Service. The majority of the students are also currently National Park Service employees. The program is taught mostly online, with only 1 week required in residence, allowing students to work and pursue the degree/certificate at the same time.

Thanks to Matt Wolf from the Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands Support for answering all my questions!

Another Update (4/26/2012):  George McKale and The Olompali People are trying to save Olompali State Historic Park, which is just north of San Francisco.  The park hosts 6 Coast Miwok archaeological sites, some of which date back 8000 years!  The park is also home to some great hiking and a recreated Coast Miwok village.

Source: The Olompali People

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Mar 05 2012
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Archaeology, Archaeology Photography, North America

The Solutrean Solution & North American Sloth

Another proponent of the Solutrean Solution.

Does anyone have any thoughts on Bruce Bradley and Dennis Stanford’s new book?  I’m not a fan of the Solutrean Solution, but if the evidence is there, I’m willing to listen. Do they have the evidence to back up this wild claim?

As well as hunting sloths in North America.

Now this is cool.

Source: Cleveland Museum of Natural History

Also- check out this take on the new evidence for sloth-hunting.

Here’s a hint as to the topic:

Source: horsetalk.co.nz

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Dec 08 2011
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Archaeology, Careers in Archaeology

Quick Poll:

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Nov 03 2011
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Not Archaeology

Navajo Items for sale at Urban Outfitters?

There is a new trend in the fashion industry. Why do archaeologists care? Because this “trend” is infringing upon the cultural property of Native Americans, the Navajo Nation specifically.

Source: Edie Harry

In June, the Navajo Nation’s Department of Justice sent Urban Outfitters a cease and desist letter regarding the chain’s appropriation of the Navajo name.

On Columbus Day, Sasha Houston Brown of the Santee Sioux Nation wrote a letter to Urban Outfitters CEO Glen T. Senk regarding the appropriation by Urban Outfitters of Navajo cultural property.

The company’s initial response was dismissive, “Like many other fashion brands, we interpret trends and will continue to do so for years to come,” company spokesman Ed Looram said. “The Native American-inspired trend and specifically the term ‘Navajo’ have been cycling through fashion, fine art and design for the last few years.”

However, they have since ceased using the word “Navajo” on their products.

The legal request to cease and desist from the Navajo Nation did not seem to have an effect on Urban Outfitter’s use of the tribe’s name on their trinkets. It was only when an outraged Santee Sioux woman wrote a letter to the CEO on a public forum that the change was made.

Urban Outfitters was in violation of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990, and also in violation of Navajo trademarks.

The Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 is a “truth-in-advertising law”:

“All products must be marketed truthfully regarding the Indian heritage and tribal affiliation of the producers, so as not to mislead the consumer. It is illegal to market an art or craft item using the name of a tribe if a member, or certified Indian artisan, of that tribe did not actually create the art or craft item.

For example, products sold using a sign claiming “Indian Jewelry” would be a violation of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act if the jewelry was produced by someone other than a member, or certified Indian artisan, of an Indian tribe. Products advertised as “Hopi Jewelry” would be in violation of the Act if they were produced by someone who is not a member, or certified Indian artisan, of the Hopi tribe.”

“If a business violates the Act, it can face civil penalties or can be prosecuted and fined up to $1,000,000.”

–US Department  of Interior, Indian Arts and Crafts Board

Navajo Trademarks are easily found through the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The Trademark Office has an online database that is easily searched, I typed in the word “Navajo” and came back with 150 results. One of which discusses ornaments for personal wear.  I am not a lawyer, I don’t know if this trademark is applicable to the Urban Outfitters/Navajo Nation controversy, I just wanted to illustrate how easy it is to find Navajo trademarks on the Trademarks Electronic Search System (TESS). Which is exactly what Urban Outfitters should have done before attempting to pass their items off as Navajo, items not even made in North America.

Urban Outfitters continues to sell Native-style items:

Source: Urban Outfitters

and is probably continuing to break the law by calling this item “Tribal”:

Source: Urban Outfitters

Real Navajo Dreamcatchers look better made, and are also more affordable:

Source: Foutz Trading Co.

There are lots of places to buy real Native American made items. There are also many places to learn about Native American culture, the Navajo Nation Museum in Arizona, and a number of museums in California (if you’re from here like me).

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