Sometimes our first exposure to the archaeology of an area is through building projects such as the expansion of the highway and ramps of I-17 through the Cordes Junction area in Arizona.  These remains of a Hohokam structure were on the northern periphery of their known cultural influence and were uncovered during careful scientific excavation before the highway expansion.

Many people are drawn to archaeology by the more artistic endeavors of prehistoric people.  While many artifacts are strictly single-color objects that are utilitarian, other objects are decorated with wonderful pictures and/or mosaic designs in several colors.

Sherds picked up and collected in both small and large treasure piles destroy their archaeological context forever.  In a similar way, points, tools, or other goods surviving hundreds or thousands of years undisturbed are often in collections, drawers, backyards, and garages today.  These archaeological records are lost, and a person's heirs often take them to garage sales or put them in the trash.

While 5 basic prehistoric cultural groups touched Arizona - Anasazi, Hohokam, Mogollon, Patayan, and Fremont (slightly) - there are other groups that fit within these descriptions as large sub-groupings such as: Mimbres, Sinagua, and Salado, with further subdivisions into the Prescott or Perry Mesa cultures.  For most of Arizona, the basic cultural grouping characteristics expressed as traits of Anasazi (Ancestral Puebloan), Hohokam, and Mogollon were sufficient in most original archaeological texts to convey differing traits.  Also, time periods vary by culture and from location to location within any given culture.

To learn more, check out the pull-down menus above to see the chapters available to join, classes offered, and events scheduled! 

  

A brief look at AAS' 50-year history and some of its founders philosophies through the years, as well as thoughts concerning the future and the next 50-years.  The original was distributed at an AAS Annual State Meeting in preparation for the 50th anniversary celebration.

The contents are modified to an MP4 format to work with the media player on your computer.  Click the link to engage your media player and the file should play automatically.  Once the presentation ends, simply close the media player on your computer.  The Microsoft media player that comes with Windows should be sufficient to enjoy the material and get a sense of the history of the AAS.

Click Here  to enjoy the video.

NOTE:  If you have not used your Windows media player before, just select the "recommended settings" when the screen asks you for a decision.  Testing with three Vista level computers running Windows 8.1, Windows 7, and Windows Vista yields a wide variety of performance levels before the program runs.  The newer the operating system, the faster the loading time.  Newer computer equipment should simply perform well.  Microsoft no longer supports Windows XP, so we did not check that environment.

Renewals

For detailed instructions on how to renew your membership, click Membership and scroll down to Membership Renewal. You may also logon to the AAS website using your email address and password to view your profile and click renew.

New Memberships

You can join the Archaeology Society today or attend a meeting and see if you would enjoy developing your knowledge of this subject.  Archaeology is unique because you can study and work inside or enjoy activities outdoors.  Many members develop additional interests in geology, botany, osteology, preservation work, surveying, etc.  To find a chapter and contact person near you click Chapter Membership Chairs.  To learn more about the Society and how to join click Membership.

Member-Only Access:  Click this link for instructions regarding access to the member-only section. Access is not possible without joining the Arizona Archaeology Society.  See Renewal and New Membership Information.

This section includes: 

• Edit Personnel Profile - instructions on how to edit your personal profile, such as a new email address, address, telephone, etc;
  
• Research Publications - a complete listing of Occasional Papers and Arizona Archaeologists; provides members with access to a free PDF or Kindle version (MOBI format) of some volumes;
  
• Archaeological Opportunities - a listing of workshops and archaeological available to members;
  
• Planning Committee - approved minutes of the Planning Committee meetings and State and Chapter Director meeting minutes
  
• Chapter Restricted - information posted by a chapter requiring password accessibility restricting access from the general public
  

•  Arizona Archaeologist Number 45, Parts 1 and 2 in color; pdf only
  
•  Arizona Archaeologist Number 44, pdf only
  
•  Arizona Archaeologist Number 43, Parts 1 and 2 in color, pdf only
  

•  Arizona Archaeologists Number 40 and 41 are downloadable as pdf or MOBI
  

•  Arizona Archaeologists Number 4, 19, 21, 29, 38, 39, 42, pdf only

•  Occasional Paper Number 4, pdf only

•  Proceedings of the Second Salado Conference, pdf only
  

•  Southwest Indian Turkeys: Prehistory and Comparative Osteology, pdf only

AAS Chapters sponsoring projects or interested parties mentioned in this heading working on Arizona archaeological projects may want to consider publishing their work in the Arizona Archaeologist.  Submissions for possible publication in the Arizona Archaeologist or questions regarding the Arizona Archaeologist should be directed to the Arizona Archaeologist Editor at azarched@azarchsoc.org.  This is an outstanding opportunity for students establishing themselves within the archaeological community or seasoned veterans drawing attention to a worthwhile project.