1st Annual Excellence In Archaeology Celebration & Awards Ceremony

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Photos of Event

Sponsors

Award Winners

 

Thanks to all who attended the Center’s 1st Annual Excellence in Archaeology Celebration and Awards Ceremony on October 6, 2007, making it a wonderful success. Special thanks to all of the many sponsors and donors, without whom this event could not have happened. Excellence in Archaeology honored outstanding archaeological projects curated at the Center that represent Excellence inEducation, Cultural Heritage, and Scientific Research. Awards were presented to the collaborative partners in the project (the developer, the Cultural Resource Management company, and the permitting agency) in three especially meritorious projects. Honorees received awards to keep and three handcrafted fused glass awards designed by archaeologist, Center Trustee and event cochairman, Rob Case, will be on display for one year with a permanent plaque to denote each year’s winning project in each of the three categories.  The criteria for awards are as follows: Education – The project whose collection and analysis best interprets and presents San Diego prehistory or history in a manner that is accessible to a variety of age groups. Cultural Heritage – The project whose collection, analysis and interpretation highlighted an aspect of the cultural diversity that is the hallmark of San Diego’s past. Scientific – The project whose fieldwork and analysis exemplifies innovative techniques, methodologies, or interpretations of San Diego’s archaeological record. The winning projects were: I. Excellence in Education Awardee: Management Plan for Otay Mesa Prehistoric Resources, San Diego, California, 1998 Archaeological Firm: Gallegos & Associates, Carlsbad, CA   Principal Investigator/Authors:  Dennis R. Gallegos, Carolyn Kyle, Adella Schroth, and Patricia Mitchell   Developer:  City of San Diego and Caltrans, District 11   Lead Agency: City of San Diego and Caltrans, District 11 This comprehensive management plan is the first known in San Diego County where an entire region is researched and planned for cultural resources preservation rather than on a site-by-site, or parcel basis. Over 100 archaeological studies including Remington Hills, Kuebler Ranch, Otay Mesa Road, State Route 905, California R.J. Donovan project, East Mesa Detention Center, and Schott Homestead; and, 365 archaeological sites were reviewed for this study.  Artifacts from these sites, as well as from Calpine Otay Mesa projects, and the McCool/Lohman Homestead: 1880s to 1940s were used in an exhibit “The View from Otay Mesa: Cultural Landscapes through Time,” enjoyed by over 1 million people throughout the county. Picture 1 - Excellence in Education Awardees: Martin Rosen, CalTrans; Myra Herrmann, City of San Diego; Dennis Gallegos, Gallegos & Associates Picture 2 - Excellence in Cultural Heritage Awardees: Susan Walter and Steve Van Wormer, Walter Enterprises; Gail Wright, Donna Beddow and Glenn Russell, County of San Diego II. Excellence in Cultural Heritage Awardee: Every Bit of Rubbish: Archaeological Data Recovery for the Liffreing House Dump (CA-SDI-10,895), 2001 Archaeological Firm: Walter Enterprises, Chula Visa, CA Principal Archaeologists: Stephen R. Van Wormer and Susan D. Walter Developer: Shea Homes, San Diego, CA Lead Agency: County of San Diego Department of Planning and Land Use, San Diego, CA In 1925, for the first time in the history of the nation, more people lived in cities and towns than on farms. The artifacts left by an immigrant family demonstrate this important 20 th century social transformation through generational shifts in lifestyle experienced by the women of the family. This project documents the changes in a rural settlement from the 1890s through the 1930s. The artifacts were used in an exhibit “Moments in Time,” which documented some of the most significant events in American history as lived by San Diegans and featured at the San Diego International Airport and the Center. The everyday objects discovered at the site, used and then discarded, capture significant details not often noted in history books. By describing these events at the level of the individual, we hope to bring a new understanding of the past. Excellence in Scientific Research Awardees: Stephen Harvey and Andrew York III. Excellence in Scientific Research Awardee: Data Recovery at CA-SDI-10,156/12,599H: Archaeological Investigations in Support of the Levee/Bridge Construction Project, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, 2002 Archaeological Firm: EDAW (KEA), San Diego, CA Principal Investigators: Andrew L. York, Alex Kirkish, Stephen Harvey with contributions by Jackson Underwood and Tanya Wahoff Developer: Stanley Berryman, Cultural Resources Management Branch head, MCB Camp Joseph Pendleton, Oceanside, CA Lead Agency: U.S. Department of the Navy Southwest Division, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, San Diego, CA This study included thorough, detailed analyses of all types of cultural and ecofactual materials from the ethnohistoric village of Topomai, including geomorphology, radiocarbon dates, obsidian studies, ceramics (including petrography and NAA), vertebrate fauna, pollen analysis and macrobotanical analysis. The exciting alfresco event included the Excellence in Archaeology awards ceremony, behind-the-scenes tours of the Center, presentations on the history of the Center, fine food by Four Seasons Catering, entertainment by Spanish guitarist Antonio Fernandez as well as silent and live auctions. Families were welcome and there were activities designed for would-be archaeologists of all ages.  Many San Diegans don’t know that there are over 20,000 archaeological sites in San Diego County. Most of these sites were discovered during the course of development. This event honors the people who bring the past to light through archaeology. Excavated artifacts are curated at the Center where they can be used in education, cultural and scientific programs. Excellence in Archaeology provided a unique opportunity for the public to learn about the men and women who are preserving San Diego’s past for current and future generations. The event raised over $12,000. Proceeds from Excellence in Archaeology will support the San Diego Archaeological Center’s ability to provide archaeology exhibits, outreach events and educational programs for students, educators and the general public that convey the depth and importance of California’s rich cultural heritage. This event included experts in the field of archaeology and anthropology, cultural resource management professionals, developers, land management departments, government officials, environmentalists, Native American tribes, Center members and the general public. Funds raised from tickets purchased and silent and live auctions will support the Center's ability to provide archaeology exhibits, outreach events and educational programs for students, educators and the general public that convey the depth and importance of California’s rich cultural heritage.

 

 

 

Last updated January 24, 2008

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