Hello Friends!
I hope you enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday and know how grateful we are for each of you.
November was another busy and exciting month for Shumla filled with Treks to breath-taking murals, conference presentations, investigations into paint sequencing at Halo Shelter, and educational outreach.
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Emil, Missy and Vicky are sore from painting the many walls of Shumla's new office in San Marcos. Tim and Audrey are cross-eyed from preparing Alexandria Project Archive data for migration into the curation system. Vicky is gearing up for the last treks of 2021. (It's still not too late to register!) Karen is back from a whirlwind month of travel and presentations.
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Diana is deep in "the matrix" with Phil and Carolyn, as they build a Harris Matrix painting sequence for Halo Shelter based on the microscopy data. There's even an exhibit about Pecos River Style rock art opening today at El Museo de Altamira in Spain showcasing Carolyn's original renderings and interpretive work. (More on that in the next eNews.) Never a dull moment! |
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Today on "Giving Tuesday" we also remember a dear friend who gave so much to our organization, Bill Cauthorn. We give all we have to this cause because our supporters give us the opportunity. Our gratitude is overflowing. |
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As always, wishing you all the best from all of us,
Jessica
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In last month's newsletter we introduced you to the Hearthstone Project, our interdisciplinary and collaborative project with Texas State University, designed to reveal the mysteries of when and how the paintings were produced and what they were created to communicate. To keep you up-to-date on this effort and its exciting results, Shumla Archaeology Director, Dr. Phil Dering is periodically sharing blog posts about the project.
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In his first installment, he explained why we chose the name "Hearthstone" and how it ties to the three pillars of our project: archaeological science, art analysis and Indigenous knowledge.
In today's installment, Phil explains our research design from two angles, the humanities and the sciences. As you know, the Hearthstone Project is partially funded through a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and a separate grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). "Put simply," Phil writes, "the NEH research strives to decode the message in the medium. The NSF research focuses on the timing and the context of that message."
Click to read more! I promise scientific research design has never been so compelling! Be sure to follow along as we continue to share much more about this project and how you can get involved!
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Our Research Plans - Shumla
Is Pecos River Style mural art a surviving manifestation of core beliefs that formed the basis for later Aztec, Toltec, and Olmec religions? If this is true, then regardless of group affiliation, any person with a working knowledge of the...
Read more
shumla.org
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FAREWELL TO A DEAR FRIEND |
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This month we said goodbye to one of Shumla's most constant supporters and friends, Bill Cauthorn. Bill served on Shumla's Board of Directors for thirteen years before becoming an Emeritus Board Member in 2018. He chaired the Board for two of those years. His sound advice, dry humor, and calm presence helped Shumla weather many storms.
Growing up on a ranch in Juno, Bill marveled at the rock art as a child. As an adult, he not only valued the art as ancient heritage that ought to be preserved and studied, he also recognized that increasing knowledge and raising awareness about the art could contribute to his beloved Del Rio community.
And contribute he did... his wit, his wisdom, his work and his wealth. Shumla would not be where it is today without Bill Cauthorn. We will miss him very much and think of him often. Especially when we plan Board meetings... never on an Aggie game day!
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Sidney William "Bill" Cauthorn Obituary (1938 - 2021)...
Sidney William "Bill" Cauthorn '60 March 6, 1938 - November 1, 2021 Sidney William (Bill) Cauthorn, of Del Rio, Texas passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on November 1st, 2021, he was 83 years old. Bill was born to Robert "Bobby" and...
Read more
www.legacy.com
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WHERE IN THE WORLD IS KAREN STEELMAN? |
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This month was a busy one for Shumla's Science Director Dr. Karen Steelman. First, she attended the 2021 American Chemical Society Southwest Regional Meeting in Austin, Texas. This was her first in-person conference to attend since the pandemic began. The conference was a great networking opportunity to meet other chemistry researchers with over 450 talks and 250 posters. Karen's presentation on the "Chemistry & Art of Ancient Texans" was part of an Art & Chemistry symposium. Attendees were a mix of other researchers using analytical chemistry to study art in museums, plus presentations on how professors are incorporating art case studies into their chemistry courses and study abroad programs. There was even a workshop on public outreach activities using chemistry to create art. And, she even ran into one of her former students who recently received her PhD in chemistry! |
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Next, Karen was invited to give a webinar for the SA100 organization. SA100 is a San Antonio community group of women leaders and professionals engaged in idea exchange, enrichment, and mentorship. Her talk introduced members to the rock art of the Lower Pecos and Shumla's efforts to preserve and study the art using chemistry.
Finally, Karen gave a webinar to the Central Arkansas Section of the American Chemical Society as part of their "Conversations with Chemists" series. It was attended by government, industry, and academic chemists in the central Arkansas area. Many of the attendees were college students interested in the nexus of chemistry and art. Maybe our next great chemistry intern was among them!
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Dr. Steelman is looking for her next Archaeological Science Intern!
Do you or someone you know want to learn first-hand the fine art and exciting science of how we date rock art using plasma oxidation? Come train with Shumla!
Click here to learn more about how to apply for this opportunity.
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DECEMBER IN THE CANYONLANDS |
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Kick off this holiday season with a Trek to remember! Shumla Treks are day-long journeys that can fit into any West Texas travel plan.
Experience the jaw-dropping and vibrant mural at Halo Shelter and the beauty of the rock art at the nationally-recognized Fate Bell Shelter! Visit shumla.org/shumlatreks to view our Trek itineraries. You’ll also find information on costs, transportation and housing.
You can still register for our December Treks!
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December 4 - Halo Shelter and Shumla HQ Tour ♦♦♦♦
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December 5 - Fate Bell Annex, Fate Bell, Running Horse ♦♦♦
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SPRING TREK DATES
We're starting to share our spring Shumla Treks schedule as our permissions come in. We have some incredible experiences planned for you starting with a Trek to Eagle Cave, Skiles Shelter, Kelley Cave, and Judge Roy Bean on Saturday March 19th!
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PSST... Shumla Treks make a unique holiday gift!
More Treks dates will be added over time, so keep checking back. If you have any questions or if there is anything holding you back from joining a Trek, please reach out to talk with us about it. We love to hear from you! treks@shumla.org
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Today and everyday, we need your support!
On this day of giving, we hope you'll generously consider Shumla. Your gift in any amount will contribute to our educational outreach and preservation efforts. The stories we are revealing deserve to be told. Thank you!
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Another easy way to support Shumla is to send us a smile by selecting Shumla as your nonprofit organization to support. Just in time for the holidays, you can choose to designate Shumla as your charity on Amazon Smile and we'll receive 0.5% of every purchase you make at no additional cost to you.
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Shumla Archaeological Research & Education Center
P.O. Box 627, Comstock, TX 78837
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Shumla eNews is a free eNewsletter published by Shumla.
Copyright © 2021 by Shumla. All Rights Reserved.
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