The annual Pecos Conference brings together students, professional and avocational archaeologists alike, providing a community environment to share novel research and network with others in the field. The conference is unique for its outdoors setting, which takes place every August under Southwestern skies.
Archaeologist, Alfred Vincent Kidder excavated Pecos Pueblo from 1914 to 1929 where most of his significant research was conducted, including developing a classification system to distinguish the different prehistoric cultural periods in the region and implementing stratigraphy to establish chronology.
The first conference took place in August of 1927 when Kidder invited renowned archaeologists of the time to Pecos Pueblo in New Mexico to share knowledge and create a cohesive system of terminology, agreeing upon the Pecos Classification that is still in use to this day.
"[Pecos] is really about immediately connecting what people are finding with other members of the community, and that's what they did from the very first one,” said David Purcell, President of the Board of Directors for Southwestern Archaeology, Inc., the entity responsible for organizing Pecos each year. Purcell is also a Supervisory Archaeologist and Historian at the Museum of Northern Arizona.
Purcell explained that Kidder invited others to critically comment on his findings, rather than going through the longer process of publishing a piece and gathering other’s opinions on it.
“He wanted it to be immediate, and that's really still what we do,” continued Purcell. “There's people who have the tailgate down on their truck and a box of pieces of pottery that are trying to get opinions from other professionals, like, ‘hey, have you ever seen anything like this?’ That's something we do at every Pecos conference and that makes us different."
The conference is not only the oldest regional archeological conference in the US, but also the only Southwestern archaeology conference to take place entirely outdoors, unlike others that primarily take place in indoor event spaces. Purcell stated that having the conference at a hotel event room would take away from the immediacy of walking past an archaeological site and being able to discuss what you see as you see it.
“That's one of the main things that personally drives me, is continuing that legacy and trying to maintain our traditions,” he said.
While the conference initially started with only professionals, it has branched out to include those who are passionate about archaeology but do not do it as a profession, as well as a strong push to invite students and Native Americans to participate. There is a reduced registration fee for students and free registration for Native Americans.
“It is a welcoming community,” said Purcell, one where students are encouraged to chat with eminent professors and others in the field, an opportunity not easily granted at other conferences.
A large part of modern day Pecos Conference is the Cordell/Powers prize competition which is awarded to the best extemporaneous presentation by someone under the age of 35. This has not only attracted students to the conference but young professionals as well. This year’s award recipients were Matthew Harwood (Powers Prize) and Zithlaly Vega (Cordell Prize).
The conference is held at different archaeological sites in the region each year and is held once every five years in Pecos, NM to honor the first conference, as well as in Flagstaff, AZ, due to the conference's long standing association with the Museum of Northern Arizona. Harold Colton and Mary-Russell Ferrell Colton, the co-founders of MNA, attended the very first Pecos Conference and were so inspired by it that they founded the museum the following year.
This past conference was held in Chino Valley, AZ. The conference always has field trips on the Sunday following the festive Saturday night party. They aim to have ten different field trips in different directions, so that whatever direction attendees are driving home towards they will have something to stop and see.
The 2024 Pecos Conference was the Verde Valley Archaeology Center and Museum's second year of participating in the conference. VVAC had a vendor table that had merchandise and books for sale. VVAC also focused on our business memberships while highlighting the repository and cultural resource management services we offer. The museum's visibility at events such as this is crucial for networking and collaborations.
"It was wonderful to further make known that VVAC is not only a museum, but we have a robust repository, accomplished staff, and skilled volunteers that can do all the necessary work that is required for cultural resource management,” said Monica Buckle, VVAC’s Executive Director.
“Advantageous things have already evolved since this past August at Pecos,” said Buckle. “What’s astounding is hearing the various projects archaeologists are conducting and the collaborations between professionals in this field…It's especially inspiring to see the next generation's interest with archaeology, and their unique perspectives.”
Richard McGaugh, a Docent and Hike Leader for VVAC, was honored by the Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society with the Alexander J. Lindsay Jr. Unsung Hero Award which is given for dedicated work behind-the-scenes that is crucial to the success of archaeological, anthropological or historical research projects and/or publications.
McGaugh also volunteers extensively outside of VVAC, and is a docent at MNA and a VIP Interpretative Ranger at Walnut Canyon National Monument and Wupatki/Sunset Crater National Monuments.
McGaugh’s family has lived in the region for generations and he’s always held a passion and fascination for Arizona’s history. Visiting different archaeological sites with his father as a child sparked his interest in history, particularly Arizona’s prehistory, and telling stories about that history.
McGaugh was exploring Camp Verde one day and visiting the town’s historic sites, when he came across VVAC.
“I walked in and just fell in love with it,” said McGaugh. “That day, I asked them if I could be a docent for the center.”
He also branched out and started leading guided hikes for the museum.
“What I really love is to teach people,” said McGaugh, such as how to respect sites and leave things in place. “I really get the most out of leading the hikes and sharing my love and passion for central Arizona archeology.”
“It was hard to put it into words,” said McGaugh about winning the award. “It was very, very special winning it and having volunteers getting recognized is what’s pretty incredible. It pleases me to share this area with the people since my family has been here for quite a long time.”
McGaugh also volunteers and leads hikes at the Pecos Conference.
“Most of our members are very familiar with Richard, whether they have met him as a docent here at the museum, or have participated on one of his extraordinary hikes all throughout Arizona,” said Buckle. “Richard is an incredible volunteer and his knowledge is so vast about the history of Arizona, the Southwest and Native American culture, it's always fascinating listening to Richard speak about a particular topic. Not only does he do so much for the museum, but he significantly helps me in my role as Executive Director,” continued Buckle. “We have limited staff due to our budget and expenses, I rely so heavily on our volunteers, and they always show up to help in any way possible. [McGaugh] is always more than willing to be of service… It was terrific that Richard was given this recognition and in front of his fellow colleagues.”
The 2025 Pecos Conference will take place in southeast Utah by the Abajo Mountains and is being organized by the directors of the Bears Ears Partnership. The centennial of both the Pecos Conference and the founding of MNA are coming up within the next few years so the board and museum are planning special events around those as well.
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