announcements (PSAs) which featured Harrison Ford (who
played the movie role of Indiana Jones). These were used
for several years to promote Archaeology Week. Prior to
1987 the SHPO distributed a bulky Public Information
Packet to media and al] those on the Archaeology Week
mailing list, but this packet received little attention due to
its format. In 1987 a brochure was developed to be used as
a medium for disseminating information on events and
activities on a statewide basis. Four thousand copies of this
brochure were printed and distributed during that year. In
1988, due to increased demand, 14,000 copies of the
calendar of events were distributed statewide.

The brochure format with its concise listing of events
available to the public represented a marked improvement
over the bulky packet used in previous years. The brochure
provided a handy means for the SHPO and event sponsors
to advertise their activities by distributing the brochures at
meetings and public places (e.g., libraries, Chambers of
Commerce, etc.). The brochure is organized by date of
event and place to facilitate its use by the public.

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) played a
significant role in publicity. In 1987, the agency produced
PSAs for television and radio featuring Ted Danson.
Danson, an Arizona native and star of the television series
“Cheers,” is the son of long-time Arizona archeologist Dr.
Ned Danson. The PSAs urged public involvement in “the
adventure of discovery” and protection of cultural
resources. They were a cooperative effort between the
BLM Phoenix Training Center, BLM State Office, Arizona
State Museum, and the SHPO. The PSAs were distributed
in cooperation with the SHPO for Arizona Archaeology
Week activities during both 1987 and 1988.

OFFICE OF THE GO
STATE OF AR!

iis ieee spptmdovng! eltee proiane steitiom

Governor's Proclamation.
- SHPO)

(Courtesy of Arizona State Parks,

8) Archaeology Week Follow-up: Thank You Letters

and the Annual Report:

Once Archaeology Week is over, thank you letters are sent
out which request information on the activities of all
sponsors. Within three months after Archaeology Week an
annual report summarizing the statewide results is prepared
and distributed to all participants and others (Governor,
State and Federal legislators) as appropriate. Initiated in
1986, the annual report provides updated documentation on
Archaeology Week, allows evaluation of the effectiveness
of many of the components, and serves as a useful
marketing tool to send when asking for assistance or
contributions. 1988 was the first year that reliable statistics
were available on the number of people that had been
exposed to Archaeology Week, and perhaps to archeology
for the first time. It is estimated that at least 122,473
people in Arizona attended Archaeology Week events and
activities, and it is possible that over 1 million people were
reached through the various media. Archaeology Week
was featured statewide in at least 26 newspapers, 20
newsletters and magazines, 6 radio stations, and 9
television stations. This is based on information provided
to the SHPO by Archaeology Week pa
represents a minimum accounting of the media in which
publicity appeared. The circulation figures for the print
media provided some insights into the number of people
who potentially heard about Archaeology Week. Although
it is likely that there is overlap among the readership of
many of these publications, it is possible that 1,419,159
people were reached as a result of the print media. No
figures were available for radio and television coverage.

These and other results are published in the Annual Report,
providing the SHPO, Archaeology Commission, par-
ticipants, and others with feedback on the scope of
activities and their successes or failures. Although this is
difficult to directly measure, some of the successes of
Archaeology Week include the enhanced visibility of the
SHPO and its programs, increased interest and volunteer-
ship for the Site Steward Program, greater interest in
community archeological parks, and broader interest in
popular information on archeology and avocational
archeological groups. The Annual Report is also provided
to the State Legislature and over the past few years there
has been an increased awareness among legislators
regarding cultural resources issues. The report is also
uscful for informing those who request information from
the SHPO on Arizona's Public Archaeology Program.

IN CONCLUSION

The past six years have focused on developing a com-
prehensive public oriented program involving thousands of
people. As its centerpiece, Archacology Weck draws
together many different groups one weck per year and
presents archeology in a positive manner. The keystone to
the success of Archaeology Week has been the spirit of
cooperation among Federal, State, county and city
agencies, private archeological consultants, academic
institutions, museums, avocational archeologists, and



Flintknapper Chuck Hoffman demonstrates manufacturing
techniques used by prehistoric Native Americans to produce their
stone arrowheads and other tools. One of many demonstrations
that took place as part of the State Capitol Exhibition during
Archaeology Week. (Photo courtesy of Arizona State Parks,
SHPO)

An information table is set up in the rotunda at the Capitol
Museum for the duration of Archaeology Week. Staffed by
voluntecrs from the Arizona Archaeological Society, the
table serves as a center for distribution of a variety of
brochures and information on Archaeology Week activities
at the Capitol Museum and around the State.

4) Governor’s and Mayors’ Proclamations:

To attain State and local goverment support for Archaeol-
ogy Weck, a proclamation signing ceremony is held with
the Governor during Archaeology Week. Draft proclama-
tions are submitted to all mayors of incorporated cities and
towns in Arizona requesting their support for this program.
The number of cities and towns participating has been
gradually increasing over the years, and 22 submitted
signed proclamations to the SHPO in 1988. The proclama-
lions are displayed at the Capitol during the exhibition.

5) “Volunteers in Archaeology" Award:

The Archacology Advisory Commission initiated a special
award in 1988 as part of the Archaeology Week events.
The "Volunteers in Archaeology” award is sponsored to
honor an individual who has contributed his or her time
and energy to promoting the protection and preservation of
Arizona’s archeological resources through public education
or other means.

The first award was presented to Louie F. Curtis during
Archaeology Week by Govemor Rose Mofford and the
Advisory Commission. Mr. Curtis, age 70, was jointly
nominated for the award by the Coconino National Forest,
the Arizona State Museum, Homolovi Research Program,
and the Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society for
his contribution of “countless hours and tireless energy to
the protection and preservation of Arizona’s archaeological
resources..." This award is particularly appropriate for
Archaeology Week because so much of its success is duc to
the efforts of volunteers like Mr. Curtis.

6) Statewide Events:

Archeological site tours, open houses, tours of archeologi-
cal laboratories, public lecture series, talks by archeologists
at local schools and Chambers of Commerce, video and
slide programs, exhibits in libraries and other public places,
free admission days at museums and parks, demonstrations
of prehistoric crafts, and archeology “how-to” workshops
for children and adults are examples of the other events
offered to the public. In 1988, over 100 separate activities
took place in over 26 communities statewide. Federal
agencies play a particularly active role in sponsoring many
events across the State, and their efforts are augmented by
avocational societies, museums, private consultants, and
others.

7) Publicity:

Getting information out to the public on Arizona Archaeol-
ogy Week is a major effort by many organizations. News
releases for print, radio, and television media are prepared
for many of the events that take place as part of the
planning and implementation of Archaeology Week. The
SHPO takes care of general news information. Sponsors of
activilies across the state handle their own promotions
within their local areas.

In 1983, the Archaeology Advisory Group and SHPO
coordinated the production of radio public service

These dancers are from Hopi Junior and Senior High Schools
from the Hopi Mesas performing traditional Native American
dances at the State Capitol Exhibition and public reception
during Archaeology Week. (Photo courtesy of Arizona State
Parks, SHPO)



teachers in the public schools. Without this teamwork,
Archaeology Week would be a less effective program.

Every year Archaeology Week convinces a few more
people about the importance of preserving our heritage and
the need to protect cultural resources. The program focuses
on the positive rather than the negative side of archeology
(don’t pothunt or vandalize, don’t pick-up artifacts, don’t
destroy our cultural heritage, etc.). It focuses on how
individuals can get involved in a positive way, on what
makes archeology interesting and on what the past has to
offer. Some of the most successful events are those that
provide people a “hands-on” experience with archeology,
while teaching them that there is a right way and a wrong
way to do archeology.

One of the other impacts of Archacology Week has been to
make state legislators more aware of archeology as a public
interest. It is a positive experience to discuss a successful
volunteer public program with legislators rather than
focusing on funding needs or changes in legislation.
Keeping legislators informed of the number of participants

in public archeology events is a critical component of
Archaeology Week served by distributing the Annual
Report to state legislators. This awareness is useful when
discussing issues such as site vandalism, needs for site
protection, archeological parks, and establishment of a
rehabilitation grants program -- all of which are current
topics in Arizona.

Archaeology Week is now a regular event in Arizona and
our progress in cultural resources programs and public
awareness has convinced us that other states could benefit
from similar programs, perhaps a national Archaeology
Week similar to the current National Historic Preservation
Week. Whether this becomes a national event is not
critical, although a national Archaeology Week would
encourage those States that are not now participants to
promote such a public program. Public oriented efforts
such as Archaeology Week clearly demonstrate public
interest in archeology. The support generated by these
programs is proving to be invaluable in enhancing current
legislation and furthering the protection of our cultural
heritage.

Reference

Questions regarding Arizona Archaeology Week may be directed to: Arizona State Parks, SHPO, 800 W. Washington, Suite

415, Phoenix, AZ 85007, telephone: (602) 255-4009.

Suggested Reading

Hoffman, Teresa L. and Shereen Lerner
1988

1986

"3rd Annual Report for Arizona Archaeology Week." Unpublished manuscript, Arizona State Parks, SHPO.

"The Use and Abuse of Archaeological Sites: Educating the Public.” Paper presented at the 1986 Society

for American Archaeology meeting, New Orleans.

Hoffman, Teresa L.
in press

1988

"Bringing Archaeology Into the Classroom." Heritage Education Quarterly.

“Arizona Archaeology Week: Expanding Public Awareness Through a Federal and State Partnership."

Cultural Resources Management Bulletin, 11(July 1988):31, 35.

Rogge, A.E., editor
in press
Simon, Brona, editor

in press
American Archaeology.

“Fighting Indiana Jones in Arizona." 1988 American Society for Conservation Archaeology Proceedings.

"The Carrot, Not the Stick: Strategies for Protecting Archaeological Resources on Private Property.”

Technical Briefs are designed and produced by the Departmental Consulting Archeologist and the Archeological
Assistance Division of the National Park Service. The editors are Francis P. McManamon and Richard C. Waldbauer.
The graphic designer Is Juliette G. Tahar. Submit comments, topics for future briefs, and requests for copies to: U.S.
Department of the Interfor, National Park Service, Archeological Assistance Division, P.O. Box 37127, Washington, D.C.
20013-7127.

$Y US. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 251-590


ARCHEOLOGICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Technical Brief No. 2, October 1988

ARIZONA ARCHAEOLOGY WEEK:
Promoting the Past to the Public

By Teresa L. Hoffman and Shereen Lerner
State Historic Preservation Office. Arizana State Parks

The Federal archeological community has identified a need
for an organized and comprehensive public outreach effort
at the national level which can provide a framework for
regional and local public support for America's ar-
cheological resources. The goals of the program are to:
(1) foster a feeling of ownership of and responsibility for
our common heritage, (2) increase public understanding of
the science of archeology, (3) enhance public awareness of
the current problems involving archeological resources
such as looting, (4) increase understanding of how the
public's actions affect archeological resources, and (5)
increase public involvement in legitimate archeological
activities. This Technical Brief represents one part of the
program by providing guidance in developing public
awareness. It presents the Arizona Archaeology Week as
one example of how successful public outreach programs
operate.

Archaeology Week represents one component of Arizona's
award winning Public Archaeology Program which also
includes the Site Steward Program (volunteers assisting
Federal and State land managing agencies in monitoring
the condition of selected archeological sites), public school
curriculum development, and media involvement. Evolving
over the past six years, Archaeology Week fosters the
preservation of archeological resources throughout the
State and seeks to bring archeology to public attention.
The broad-reaching success of the Public Archaeology
Program in Arizona and Archaeology Week in particular
was recognized in 1986 at the State and National levels
through a “Take Pride in America" award in the state
government category to the State Historic Preservation
Office (SHPO) for its coordination of the Public Archaeol-
ogy Program.

Technical Brief No. 2 examines the development of Arizona
Archaeology Week over the past six years, and takes a
detailed look at its history, growth, and components.

IN THE BEGINNING:
The Governor’s Ad Hoc Archaevlogy Advisory Group

Plagued by a legacy of vandalism, Arizona's archeological
resources were offered a measure of relief in 1983 by
. former Governor Bruce Babbitt who invited archeologists

cy U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

and citizens to participate in the Governor's Archaeology
Advisory Group. Sparking the beginning of an important
initiative, the Archaeology Group laid the groundwork for
development of public archaeology programs in the state.
They promoted an action plan for protection of archcologi-
cal resources which focused on the Homolovi Ruins, a
group of sites which had suffered extensive vandalism.
The Archaeology Group's efforts culminated in the
legislative establishment of Homolovi Ruins State Park in
1986, the first archeological park to be operated by the
Arizona State Parks Board, and for which an innovative
interpretive approach is planned.

This strong emphasis on involving the public in archeology
is seen in other efforts of the Governor's Archacology
Advisory Group, including development in 1982 of the
nationally popular "Thief of Time” poster (the forerunner
of the Archaeology Week posters).

Seeking active public participation, the Archaeology Group
initiated Arizona Archaeology Week in 1983 and served as
the principal sponsor of this program until 1986. The
Archaeology Advisory Commission formally replaced the
Archaeology Group in 1986 and took over sponsorship of
the Archacology Week celebration. The Archaeology
Commission is a statutory body that works closely with and
advises the SHPO.

ARIZONA ARCHAEOLOGY WEEK:
Taking Pride in the Past

The development of Arizona Archaeology Week reflects a
continuing tradition of commitment to public awareness
and involvement. Taking place in the spring of each year,
Archaeology Week is a program of events oriented toward
informing the public about archeology in the state and
involving them in archeological activities. This program
has developed into a major public relations effort which
involves over 40) different Federal, State, municipal and
private organizations.

Initially, Archaeology Week consisted of a small State
Capitol Museum exhibition and a few events with limited
publicity. As successes were met with these activities,
other components were added and approaches became



more sophisticated in response to the changing needs of the
program, its increasing level of participation, and the desire
to reach a greater variety of audiences.

Because of its growing complexity, Archaeology Week
requires careful planning and persistent coordination by the
SHPO. The major components of this celebration include:

1) initial planning meeting and selection of theme,

2) adults’ and children’s poster design competitions,

3) State Capitol Museum exhibition and related
activities,

4) Governor's and Mayors’ proclamations,

5) "Volunteers in Archaeology” Award,

6) statewide events,

7) publicity,

8) follow-up: thank you letters and the annual report.

Each of these components and their associated respon-
sibilities are discussed below.

1) Initial Planning Meeting and Selection of Theme:

From 1983 to 1986 Archaeology Week planning was
handled on an ad hoc basis, and a planning mecting was
held either in November or December, approximately three
to four months prior to Archaeology Week. However,
because of the increasing number of events and participants
in this program, for the last two years a planning meeting
has been scheduled at least six months prior to the
celebration of this statewide event. The principal purpose
of the planning meeting is to reach consensus on the dates
for the celebration, select a theme, identify organizations
that will be sponsoring exhibits at the State Capitol
Museum, brainstorm for new ideas, discuss what did and
did not work the previous year, and assign various
responsibilities as needed. This meeting is followed up
with a relatively detailed memo to.all Archaeology Week
participants which reiterates decisions that were made.
Communication is an important part of this program,
particularly since only one general planning meeting takes
place. The SHPO facilitates this communication effort by
providing periodic updates on Archacology Week pians
and reminders at significant stages in planning, such as
deadlines for submitting information for the calendar of
events brochure, distribution of the brochure and poster,
and set up for the Capitol Museum exhibition.

The use of a theme for Archaeology Week began in 1986
and has provided a focus for the annual events and
activities in subsequent years. In 1986 the theme was "The
Past Made Public,” promoting the efforts of archeologists
to share their interpretations of the past with the public. In
1987, "Take Pride in the Past: 100 Years of Arizona
Archaeology” served as the annual theme in celebration of
the centennial of organized archeological research in the
state. The 1988 Archaeology Week focused on the theme
“Volunteers in Archaeology: Protecting Our Heritage,”
honoring the contributions of volunteers whose efforts are
so important to Arizona archeology. Each year the theme
is incorporated into many of the events and activities and is
also promoted on the annual poster.

2) Adults’ and Children’s Poster Design Competition:

One of the most important components of Archaeology
Week is the annual adult poster design competition which
encourages artists and archeologists alike to lend their
talents to promoting awareness and appreciation of
Arizona's unique cultural resources. Sponsored by the
Arizona Archaeological Council (AAC), Archaeology
Advisory Commission and SHPO, the contest results in a
poster that is distributed statewide to advertise the program.
and promote the theme for Archaeology Week. The poster
design has undergone a dramatic evolution over the past six
years, culminating in the high quality design for 1988.

Since 1984, the AAC has provided a cash prize for the
winner of the annual poster contest. In previous years the
Arizona Department of Transportation, U.S. Bureau of
Reclamation, U.S. Forest Service, Franzoy-Corey (local
engineering/architecture firm), and Salt River Project (local
utility company) have lent their support by printing the
poster.

Archeologist have begun to realize over the last few years
the importance of instilling in our children a sense of
stewardship for our cultural heritage if Arizona's dwindling
cultural resources are to survive with integrity to be
appreciated by future generations. Working toward this
goal, in 1988 the SHPO approached the AAC Schools
Committee with a proposal for a cooperative effort in
cosponsoring a statewide children’s poster contest to
involve kids in Archaeology Week. The results were
overwhelming, with 295 individual entries being received
from 27 separate school classes ranging in grade from
kindergarten through high school. Winning entries were
displayed in shopping malls prior to and during Archaeol-
ogy Week in major metropolitan arcas across the State.
First place ribbons were awarded to one student in cach
class, and all others received a certificate of honorable
mention. Feedback from teachers indicated that this was a
very popular program, and many took their students to
view their artwork at the malls.

3) The State Capito! Exhibition and Related Activities:

Reaching legislators and a broad spectrum of the public is
the goal of another major component of Archacology
Week: the annual exhibition at the State Capitol Museum
in Phoenix. Offering the public the opportunity to explore
various aspects of Arizona archeology in exhibits and
displays, the State Capitol Museum exhibition also
provides the chance to view prehistoric crafts demonstra-
tions (flintknapping or stone tool manufacture, pottery
decoration, ceramic manufacturing techniques). What
started out as a small exhibit with one display in 1983, has
expanded every year so that in 1988 there were 19 displays
available to the public. A public reception is held at the
Capitol each year and in 1987 featured Hopi Indian dances
which illustrated the connection between past and present
cultures in Arizona. Invitations to the reception and any
associated activities are sent to the Governor, all legis-
lators, and others as appropriate. Notices are posted in
public places and are also advertised through the media.



ARIZONA ARCHAEOLOGY WEEK
MARCH 20 - 26, 1988

VOLUNTEERS
IN
ARCHAEOLOGY

Preserving
Our
Heritage

: i . Fe Pag. ws 9 RG 3 Bowie. 2
1988 Archaeology Week Poster. Photography by Je