Old Pueblo Archaeology Center

Old Pueblo Archaeology Center’s mission is to educate children and adults to understand and appreciate archaeology and other cultures, to foster the preservation of archaeological and historical sites, and to develop a lifelong concern for the importance of nonrenewable resources and traditional cultures.

Objectives

Preservation and Protection: The professional archaeological community considers this objective to be the most important message we impart to the public. Archaeological sites and ancient material are precious, nonrenewable resources. Teaching the public and especially children the importance of protecting the past helps to create a more informed public that will safeguard heritage resources for appreciation and study by future generations. All of Old Pueblo’s programs reinforce the message of preservation and protection.

Multicultural Awareness: As disciplines of the humanities, anthropology and archaeology seek to broaden the appreciation of all peoples for the diversity of cultures that exist today and that existed in antiquity. Through the appreciation of other ways of life and cultural perspectives, greater understanding and tolerance is fostered in the American community. Critical to this goal is an appreciation of diverse perspectives on the practice of archaeology and the ethical treatment of ancient materials.

Resource Management Philosophy and Practice: Archaeological sites are nonrenewable resources. This is the guiding philosophy behind archaeology in the 21st century. Old Pueblo’s more advanced programs address this perspective, and seek to teach the public about how cultural resources are protected, studied, and managed today.

Culture Historical Content for the American Southwest: Old Pueblo’s educational programs about the ancient and traditional cultures of the American Southwest seek to provide interpretations of the past that are drawn from observable archaeological evidence and that are as accurate as possible given the current state of knowledge.

Problem Solving and Theory in Modern Archaeology: As a science, archaeology draws on mathematics, physics, chemistry, geology, and other sciences, to study the people of historical and prehistoric times in order to better understand modern cultures. As a holistic science that seeks to understand human cultures, archaeology forms a unique bridge between social theory and the natural sciences. Some of Old Pueblo’s programs emphasize this process of discovery and archaeology’s scientific methods and process.

Archaeological Skills and Methods: The recovery and analysis of archaeological data (a primary source for historical study) involves procedures that are important to the avocational archaeologist and the student of history. Old Pueblo’s simulated archaeological excavation site, public-assisted real-site excavation, and archaeology laboratory programs teach these skills and their ethical use in the study of ancient societies.

Educational Outreach: To help instill a lifelong concern for the importance of nonrenewable resources and traditional cultures Old Pueblo also provides heritage tours, internet education programs, presentations for children and adults, and exhibits and facilities for interpreting archaeology and history to the public. We work closely with other archaeological and historical organizations, and we publish the results of all of our research.