Arizona Humanities Council Presentations

Old Pueblo helps arrange presentations by Executive Director Allen Dart, an independent contractor to the Arizona Humanities Council (AHC), for Arizona schools and nonprofit organizations. The AHC is our state’s liaison with the National Endowment for the Humanities.

“Archaeology and Cultures of Arizona” Presentation:

Many different peoples have contributed to making Arizona such a unique and fascinating cultural place. In this program archaeologist Allen Dart summarizes and interprets the archaeology of Arizona from the earliest “Paleoindians” through Archaic period hunters and foragers, the transition to true village life, and the later prehistoric archaeological cultures (Puebloan, Mogollon, Sinagua, Hohokam, Salado, and Patayan). He also discusses connections between archaeology and history, and provides an overview of the Native American, European, Mexican, African, and Asian peoples who have formed our state’s more recent history.

“Set in Stone but Not in Meaning: Southwestern Indian Rock Art” Presentation:

Ancient Indian pictographs (rock paintings) and petroglyphs (symbols carved or pecked on rocks) are claimed by some to be forms of writing for which meanings are known. But are such claims supported by archaeology or by Native Americans themselves? Archaeologist Allen Dart illustrates southwestern petroglyphs and pictographs, and discusses how even the same rock art symbol may be interpreted differently from popular, scientific, and modern Native American perspectives.

“Rock Calendars and Ancient Time Pieces” Presentation:

Native Americans in the Southwest developed sophisticated skills in astronomy and predicting the seasons, centuries before Old World peoples first entered the region. In this presentation archaeologist Allen Dart discusses the petroglyphs at Picture Rocks, the architecture of the “Great House” at Arizona’s Casa Grande Ruins, and other archaeological evidence of ancient astronomy and calendrical reckoning; and interprets how these discoveries may relate to ancient Native American rituals.  

“Arts and Culture of Ancient Southern Arizona Hohokam Indians” Presentation:

The “Hohokam” Native American culture flourished in southern Arizona from the sixth through fifteenth centuries. Hohokam artifacts, architecture, and other material culture provide archaeologists with clues for identifying where the Hohokam lived, for interpreting how they adapted to the Sonoran Desert for centuries, and explaining why the Hohokam culture mysteriously disappeared. In this presentation archaeologist Allen Dart illustrates the material culture of the Hohokam and presents possible interpretations about their relationships to the natural world, their time reckoning, religious practices, beliefs, and deities, and possible reasons for the eventual demise of their way of life. The program features slides of Hohokam artifacts, rock art, and other cultural features, a display of authentic prehistoric artifacts.

“Ancient Native American Potters of Southern Arizona” Presentation:

In this presentation archaeologist Allen Dart shows slides and a display of ancient pottery to illustrate Native American ceramic styles that were in vogue during specific periods of Arizona’s prehistory and history, and the usefulness of pottery for dating archaeological sites and interpreting ancient lifeways. Allen discusses how things people make change in style over time and how different styles are useful for identifying different cultures and for dating pottery. He provides illustrations and examples of the pottery styles that were made in southern Arizona by the ancient “Early Ceramic” and Hohokam cultures, and historically by Piman (Tohono O’odham and Akimel O’odham), Yuman (including Mohave and Maricopa), and Apachean peoples from as early as 800 B.C. into the early twentieth century. The program features slides and a display of authentic prehistoric pottery.

“What Do We Do with Our Ancestors?” Presentation:

Ever since archaeology became an intellectual pursuit many archaeologists have held that all materials left behind by ancient peoples – including human remains – are proper subjects for scientific study and that these materials should be preserved in museums to keep them accessible for future studies. However, many Native Americans and others believe human remains and grave objects should not be subjected to scientific studies, and that these remains should be respectfully reburied once disturbed. Drawing on his education and experience as a professional archaeologist, and on years of working closely with Native Americans in the Southwest, Allen Dart facilitates a discussion with the audience about some of the reasoning behind these disparate viewpoints, what to do when human remains and grave objects come to light in archaeological excavations, and laws that specify what is to be done when human remains are discovered.

Scheduling of AHC-Sponsored Programs:

Please visit the Arizona Humanities Council web site and click on “Speakers” to read the AHC’s guidelines regarding what kinds of organizations qualify for its Speakers Bureau programs and AHC’s fee copayment requirements. The AHC requires at least four weeks notice for program funding.
If your organization qualifies for AHC funding and you’d like to set up an AHC program, contact Allen Dart at Old Pueblo to schedule a program date, then contact the AHC in Phoenix at (602) 257-0335 or submit an on-line speaker application at the AHC web site.

Scheduling of These Programs Directly Through Old Pueblo
(Without Arizona Humanities Council Funding):

If your group does not qualify for AHC Speakers Bureau funding or you would like a presentation in less than four weeks you can schedule the above presentations and others directly through Old Pueblo for our regular program fees. Contact Allen Dart at Old Pueblo to discuss dates and fee arrangements.