Interpretive Strata at Tijeras Pueblo

Abstract

Tijeras Pueblo Archaeological Site (LA 581) offers a variety of integrated resources encouraging appreciation of and respect for traditional Pueblo lifeways. Interpretive strata at the site are comprised of a self-guided trail, on-site museum, Tiwa World mural/map, Pueblo garden, and native plant identification. Educational outreach and programming include classroom visits, lectures, workshops, demonstrations, and a summer archaeology day camp. This paper discusses the challenges of creating text and exhibits with volunteers, and the approaches used to increase visibility at a buried site. Assessments of the relative success and shortfalls of these efforts are presented. These include detailed examinations of the elements and structure of interpretive efforts, impacts, and consequences based on descriptive and anecdotal observations.

El sitio arqueológico de Tijeras Pueblo (LA 581) ofrece una variedad de recursos integrados que fomentan el aprecio y el respeto por las formas de vida tradicionales de los pueblos. Los estratos interpretativos en el sitio están compuestos por un sendero autoguiado, un museo en el sitio, un mural / mapa de Tiwa World, un jardín de Pueblo e identificación de plantas nativas. El alcance y la programación educativos incluyen visitas a las aulas de clase, conferencias, talleres, demostraciones y un campamento de verano de arqueología. Este documento analiza los desafíos de crear textos y exhibiciones con voluntarios y los enfoques utilizados para aumentar la visibilidad de un sitio enterrado. Se presentan evaluaciones del éxito relativo y las deficiencias de estos esfuerzos. Estos incluyen exámenes detallados de los elementos y la estructura de los esfuerzos interpretativos, los impactos y las consecuencias basados en observaciones descriptivas y anecdóticas.

KEYWORDS:

• Interpretation
• strata
• exhibits
• outreach
• programs
• archives
• Tiwa

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Acknowledgments

We thank Sandra Arazi-Coambs and Judith Habicht-Mauche for their invitation to contribute to this publication. We express our gratitude to the Pueblo of Isleta Cultural Committee for their consultation on trail signage, museum exhibit texts, and the Tiwa Map/Mural Project. We also express our gratitude to Daniel Waseta, Director, and Dr. Henry Walt and Dr. Michael Bletzer, Tribal Archaeologists, of the Department of Historic and Cultural Preservation, Isleta Pueblo, for their consultation on the Tiwa Mural/Map Project.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society.