Conference on Archaeoastronomy of the American Southwest Concludes

The American Southwest was one of the early and fruitful areas of cultural astronomy study, and remains so to this day.  However, the opportunity for professional and avocational archaeoastronomers to share their research has been limited.  To mark the International Year of Astronomy 2009, and to provide a forum to promote research and a better understanding of the cultural significance of astronomical knowledge among American Southwest cultures, the first biennial Conference on Archaeoastronomy of the American Southwest (CAASW) was held from June 11-13, 2009.  The theme of the conference, held in Camp Verde, Arizona, was “Creating Sustainability in American Southwest Archaeoastronomy Research.”  
Thomas Hockey began the conference with a workshop on publishing archaeoastronomy articles. Todd Bostwick followed with a workshop on standardizing archaeoastronomy recordation.  Oral and poster presentations covered a number of significant locations including the Chaco Canyon World Heritage Site, Chimney Rock Colorado and the Mesa Verde National Park.  The prehistoric astronomy of the Hohokam, Mogollan and Sinagua cultures was also addressed.  Todd Bostwick, Anna Sofaer, J. McKim Malville, E.C. Krupp, and Von Del Chamberlain were some of the paper presenters.  Stephen McCluskey was presented with the first Distinguished Service Award in Archaeoastronomy of the American Southwest. 
The purpose of the CAASW is to advance the study and practice of archaeoastronomy of the American Southwest. The CAASW is committed to recognizing significant contributions to knowledge and the importance of research, professional standards and excellence in the study of archaeoastronomy, effective dissemination and presentation of archaeoastronomical knowledge, and innovation and originality of approach.  To continue to build upon the success of this conference, plans are being made for a two-day technical workshop for March 2010 in Phoenix to include such topics as methodological principles, surveying techniques, mathematical modeling, and standardization of terms and forms. 
Additional information about the Conference on Archaeoastronomy of the American Southwest can be obtained at http://www.caasw.org, or by email to information@caasw.org.