Nevadans for Cultural Preservation

January 2022

Arthur Krupicz, Historic Preservation Specialist- Nevada State Parks

The Nevada State Parks system includes 27 units that represent the best of Nevada’s diverse nature and history. Through these locations, State Parks provides many different opportunities to Nevada’s communities and our state’s many visitors. Among the many attractions within parks, historic resources play a major role. From history-oriented parks like Ft. Churchill to small, hidden places in the backcountry, Nevada’s history is everywhere. This is part of the attraction of parks, but also a preservation challenge. As more people visit parks, well-known sites can experience damage; while previously unknown sites become exposed to risk. This discussion will introduce some of the diverse historic resources within the State Park system and explore ideas for preserving them, in collaboration with our citizens and communities.

Video link

December 2021

The Wishbone Site: A Pleistocene Hearth from the Eastern Great Basin with the First Evidence for Human Use of Tobacco

Daron Duke, Ph.D., RPA with Far Western Anthropological Research Group, Inc. 

In 2015, a cultural resource management survey for the U.S. Air Force identified a relict fire feature eroding from the floor of Utah's Great Salt Lake Desert. Radiocarbon dating places its use at ~12,300 years old, making this the earliest open‐air hearth found in the Great Basin. Within and immediately surrounding the hearth, we found waterfowl bone refuse, Haskett-style projectile points, and other tools, providing a critical new perspective on people's lives in this region during the Pleistocene. Of particular interest was the finding of charred tobacco seeds among the hearth contents, evidencing human use of this plant well before previously established and relatively soon after people arrived in the Americas.

To watch a video of this webinar click this link.

October 2021

NVFCP was invited to have an outreach booth at the 2021 Annual Hump and Bump event at Logandale Trails. For two days, full size trucks, Jeeps, and other vehicles enjoyed different trail runs based on ability and interest. Our booth was visited by many attendees that go out and visit archaeological and historic sites across Nevada. They all walked away from our booth with information on how to report any damages they find when they are out exploring. 

October 2021

NVFCP had an outreach booth at Desert National Wildlife Refuge's first BioBlitz. Over 100 visitors walked the trails and visited booths hosted by different "ologists." We had a great time sharing the preservation message while encouraging folks to enjoy our public lands. 

September 2021

In addition to the $5 pints sold from the donated keg of Turmer Pils, NVFCP was able to generate over $150 in cash donations from attendees. Thanks to everyone who came out to support us at this fundraising event!

UNLV Students House 1 (2006)

August 2021

Dr. Karen Harry, Department of Anthropology-UNLV

Today, when people think of southern Nevada they seldom think of Pueblo ruins.  While the cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde and the multi-storied towns of Chaco Canyon are well known, the same cannot be said for the archaeology of southern Nevada.  This was not always the case, however.  In the early 20th century, large-scale excavations centered on southern Nevada’s Moapa Valley documented the existence of a 700-year long occupation by Pueblo people.  Those projects received widespread national and international attention at the time, and captured the imaginations of journalists and the public alike.  Unfortunately, the projects were never properly written up and the important role of southern Nevada’s archaeology were never properly appreciated.  In the last decade, however, with support from the National Park Service, the previous field notes and collections have been recovered and new excavations have been carried out.  These studies have yielded important insights into the archaeology of the region.  This presentation will summarize the archaeology of the area and discuss new insights obtained from the ongoing study of these early collections and more recent excavations.

A recording of this Zoom Webinar presentation can be viewed on NVFCP's YouTube Channel. Click here to watch the video. 

July 2021

NVFCP was able provide members of Vegas Valley 4 Wheelers (VW4W) a short presentation on cultural resource preservation. There were in person attendees as well as those viewing the meeting live online. VV4W is a  full-size 4 wheel drive, 501C non-profit club. They host Hump and Bump, an internationally attended wheeling event at Logandale Trails. They use the proceeds from this event to give back to the Logandale community. After the presentation, NVFCP was invited to have an outreach booth at this year's Hump and Bump event Oct. 28-31st.  

July 2021

Virginia Lucas - Curator II/Archaeologist 

The Lost City Museum, originally known as the Boulder Dam Park Museum, was built in 1935 by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps. The museum was built to contain the artifacts received from archaeological sites that were going to be inundated by the waters of Lake Mead and the surrounding area. The site that is known as the Lost City and Pueblo Grande de Nevada was brought to the attention of Mark Harrington in the 1920’s. Archaeology continued in the Moapa Valley throughout the 1930’s, and in the mid-1950’s, the National Park Service turned over the museum to the state of Nevada. Work has continued in the Moapa Valley from the 1950’s through today. Currently, there are several graduate students working in the Lowlands of the Western Virgin Puebloan region, and some of these projects focus on subsistence of the peoples in the area.

A recording of this Zoom Webinar presentation can be viewed on NVFCP's YouTube Channel. Click here to watch the video. 

July 2021

Explore, Report, Protect Nevada’s History: A Class on Identifying and Caring for Cultural Sites

This class will taught Jeep club members about cultural resources throughout the state of Nevada. Participants learned how to identify archaeological and historic sites as well as artifacts that can be found at these sites. NVFCP provided a quick review of different laws related to the protection of cultural resources and tips for how participants can help protect these amazing places while they are out recreating and enjoying the public lands our state has to offer. 

Members of Jeep Clubs, like Desert Wranglers, frequent cultural sites. Their active involvement in preservation makes a huge impact.