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Each August, archaeologists gather under open skies somewhere in the southwestern United States or northwestern Mexico. They set up a large tent for shade, and then spend three or more days together discussing recent research and the problems of the field and challenges of the profession. In recent years, Native Americans, avocational archaeologists, the general public and media organizations have come to speak with the archaeologists. These individuals and groups play an increasingly important role, as participants and as audience, helping professional archaeologists celebrate archaeological research and to mark cultural continuity. First inspired and organized by A.V. Kidder in 1927, the Pecos Conference has no formal organization or permanent leadership. Somehow, professional archaeologists find ways to organize themselves to meet at a new conference location each summer, mostly because they understand the problems of working in isolation in the field and the importance of direct face time with colleagues. To make progress with objective science and with other cultural matters, books and journal articles are important, but one still must look colleagues in the eye and work out the details of one's research in cooperative and contentious forums. Open to all, the Pecos Conference remains an important and superlative opportunity for students and students of prehistory to meet with professional archaeologists on a one-on-one informal basis to learn about the profession, gain access to resources and to new research opportunities, and to test new methods and theories related to archaeology. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ |
