Good News for Ancient Elders

To say the Verde Valley is rich in archaeological sites is like saying the Vatican has a lot of Roman Catholics. There are at least 2,500 archaeological sites in the Verde Valley and probably far more than that. Over the generations since the Anglo conquest of Native People here, those ancient sites have been repeatedly raped and robbed of their priceless artifacts.  This pillage continues with each passing day as both the criminal and the clueless continue to cart off every ancient shard they can carry.  As this pitiful trend continues unabated and unchecked, layer upon layer of our Native Heritage disappears forever.

Anyone with a caring heart who visits any of the Verde's haunting cultural legacy sites can feel the presence of our Ancient Elders echoing on the winds.  The Spirits of the Native People are alive in these places.  Those people may have been dead for a millennia or more, but their essence remains long after their once proud stone homes have melted into rubble.  The detritus of the art and craft of their life's arduous work tells a tale of dedication, tenacity, ingenuity and, as Steven Ambrose would say, undaunted courage.

Throughout our 30 year association with the Southwest's amazing cultural legacy, we have been continually saddened and perplexed by the population's addiction to possession of ancient artifacts.  Why can't they simply leave them alone?  Why do they have to take them away?  What's wrong with leaving them alone?  Perhaps these questions have no answers.  Perhaps there is some strange primal urge that compels a vast majority of people to steal our heritage for themselves.  I, for one, will never fathom the answers to such questions.  They are for much smarter people to ponder.  However, I can guarantee you one thing--I will respect and honor the memory of our Ancient Elders by leaving every artifact I find precisely where I found it.

Now that I have finished my Sermon this morning, let's move onto to the "Good News" referred to in this blog post's title.  In a seemingly infinite cavalcade of sad news, we present here two Bright Stars of Good News!
Both stories are authored by (Surprise!) Reporter Steve Ayers whose expertise is discussed in the post below this one.

The first news item relates to the Tuzigoot National Monument in Clarkdale, Arizona.  If you've ever visited that old 1930's museum there you know what a funky throwback it is.  It's a classic example of how people once viewed (and simplified) the Life & Times of our Ancient Elders.  I've often thought Aunt Matilda could put on a loin cloth and feel right at home there in the Tuzigoot Museum.  It had a certain funky homeliness that endeared it to the Gray Hair Set.  The previous Superintendent of Tuzigoot couldn't have cared less about the place.  He was totally uninterested in bringing Tuzigoot's displays and interpretation into the late 20th Century.  The new Superintendent has had a heaping full plate dealing with the rampant neglect heaped upon all three of her properties: Montezuma Castle, Montezuma Well and Tuzigoot.  It's only now after almost 8 years in charge that she's been able get some attention for Tuzigoot to the tune of almost a half million dollars!
The whole museum is going to be upgraded and the exhibits will be modernized and visitors will now be able to understand the REAL story of the place, not some fanciful, dolled up Middle American idea of what life was like there.  It's a VERY refreshing development and reported quite well by Mr. Ayers.  You can click here for the newspaper's original presentation of the story.  If this link eventually fails to work, you can click here for our archived Google Docs PDF printout of the story.

OK, let's move on to Good News Item #2.  Once again Mr. Ayers wrote this story.  That isn't much of a surprise either because he is on the Board of Directors of the very organization he is describing.  Since we've already given you some idea of his concern and deep involvement in making History Happen (in the blog post below this one), we're sure you will realize why he's writing about something he's involved in.  It's a new kid on the block called The Verde Valley Archaeology Center.  They are dedicated to the LOCAL preservation of significant physical remnants of the Verde Valley's Ancient Elders.  The formation of this group is a huge news development.  They have a tall mountain to climb but that's not the point.  The point is that they are making a statement and establishing goals and objectives and showing some real class with their efforts.  In my book, it's important to step up to the plate and take your swings in the Big Leagues.  Sure, you might strike out but, then again, you can't knock one over the centerfield fence if you didn't stand up to bat!  Somehow, I suspect that the VVAC will be a major hitter in the local leagues and, as the years pass, will become a force for the Good in terms of preserving what little is left of our cultural legacy and heritage.

Click here for the newspaper's story about VVAC.
Click here for our archived PDF of the story.
Click here for the VVAC's Most Excellent website.

Thanks, Steve, for reporting on these stories.  And Thanks to all those who are working hard to make these great things happen.  The Spirits of the Ancients Elders are Smiling!