OAS Science News is an electronic newsletter conceived and compiled by Pete Thurmond. It’s free to OAS Members, arrives in the email box each week, and offers a thumbnail glance at all things anthropological and more. Reproduced under the doctrine of fair use, it draws on research news from public-access Websites. It features current news in anthropology/archaeology, psychology/sociology, primatology, biology/ecology, paleontology, geology and climatology -- Pete ferrets it out and gets it online. To subscribe to this OAS membership benefit, contact Pete Thurmond at dempseydiv@aol.com

            “Digging Into History” is archeology as seen through the lens of the Oklahoma Anthropological Society. Developed in 2006 by OAS members Jon and Diana Denton, with help from veteran OAS members, the Power Point program offers a survey of the society’s 50-year history. Live narration guides the 45-minute multi-media show. It’s available as a membership builder at OAS chapter meetings. It’s also suitable for civic and educational meetings, youth groups interested in archeology, and school programs. For more information, contact Jon Denton, OAS Secretary, at jonrdenton@aol.com

           

            Southern Plain Lithics: The Small Points, Special Bulletin No. 26 (2007) , 147 pages. After years of preparation, the OAS has produced a guide on small projectile points found in the Southern Plains region. This monograph serves not only as an index of the stylistic variation of prehistoric tool makers, but also as an analytical tool. The Bulletin is printed as a loose leaf notebook for ease of future updates,
and includes precise descriptions, drawings, and information on 133 point types found in the region. Cost as of Feb. 1, 2008 is $12 For OAS Members, $25 for Non-Members (includes shipping).

 

            San Patrice Technology and Mobility across the Plains-Woodland Border, Memoir 12 (2008) , by Thomas A. Jennings, 73 pages. Should be available by mid-February, 2008. The long under-appreciated San Patrice projectile point is studied in terms of formal changes and raw material use from Louisiana north to Missouri and west to western Oklahoma and south into Texas. Using museum and private collections (many of the latter maintained by members of the Oklahoma Anthropological Society), Jennings examines the evidence for hunter-gatherer movements, trade, and possibly territoriality some 10,100 years ago. Price $15 (when published).

 

            Chase Orchard: A Poñil Phase Pueblo in the Cimarron District, Northeastern New Mexico,  Memoir 11 (2007),Gunnerson, 104 pages. Located near the mouth of Poñil Creek in the Front Range of northeastern New Mexico, excavations at Chase Orchard Pueblo provide evidence of a 12^th century occupation by early Puebloans. Three separate ruins were uncovered, two being domestic residences, the third interpreted to be a kiva. The site’s significance lies in documentating Puebloans settling where the plains meet the mountains, and were thus closer to Southern Plains villagers than is usually thought. The site may also be evidence for the southern migration of Tanoan speakers. All artifact photos are in color, as are many scenes of the locality and site excavations. Price: $20.

 

            Thurmond Ranch #45 (34RM507), A Late Archaic Site in Western Oklahoma, Memoir 10. (2006) Rebnegger, Green, Leith, Thurmond and Wyckoff, 94 pages. This small, hilltop site adjacent to a creek yields an array of chipped stone debris and tools relating to an occupation by hunter-gatherers some 1900 years ago. A systemic analysis of the artifacts provides one of the most thorough presentations of working and use of Ogallala Formation quartzite available for the Southern Plains. Ancillary studies of the sediments and snails underlying the site provide an ecological and environmental background to the recovery of this rolling plains landscape after the hot, dry, Middle Holocene. Price: $15.

 

            OAS Member Handbook, 2nd Edition,(2006) Albert, 88 Pages. More than just an update, the new edition expands on the benefits of membership and the role of the Society in Oklahoma archeology. Unlike traditional “how to” handbooks, it has a large format, is rich in content and spirit, and offers a generous assortment of illustrations and photographs. It provides overviews of Oklahoma archeology, the history of the Society, and the Oklahoma Archeological Survey. It describes the OAS certification program in archeological field techniques and field work. It emphasizes what to bring and do when participating in excavations and surveys. The management of private artifact collections is addressed. An invaluable guide to avocational archeology anywhere in the Southwest, it’s a good introduction to archeology in action. Price: $6

 

            Norman Chapter Stirs to Life Several years ago, the OAS Central Chapter met in Norman while searching for a new Oklahoma City meeting space. The Central Chapter soon returned to the city, finding a pleasant room at Will Rogers Park. Norman members of the chapter went back to the long drive, although they liked the idea of a closer home base. Now they have decided to start their own chapter, where attendance will be easier, said Norman member Betty Flores. They selected March 3 as their organization date. They will continue to meet at 7 p.m. the first Monday of each month. Jean Cochrane is assisting in the organization. Veteran Norman archeologist Don Wyckoff agreed to be the lead-off speaker, Betty said. She expects no problem finding other outstanding speakers and programs, or chapter members for that matter. Norman probably has more professional archeologists than any city in the state. They work at the University of Oklahoma and the state Archeological Survey Office. Many are active in the OAS. As for avocational interest, about 15 OAS members belong to the Central Chapter. Some will continue to be active in both groups. However, some may elect to not drive to the city at night. They will attend Norman Chapter meetings, Betty Flora said. The new chapter may attract more young people. Some are anthropology and archeology students at the university. Many who do not have transportation to Oklahoma City can get a ride to the museum once a month. "I think the meetings will be an advantage to the museum," Betty Flora said. "People may be there for the first time to attend a chapter meeting." For more information on the Norman Chapter, call Betty Flores at 249-7212.

                                                   *  *  *