Field Trip: The Archaeology of Arroyo Hondo

The Archaeology of Arroyo Hondo

Aerial view of Arroyo Hondo excavation site

September 9, 2021

Cost per person:
$150 (Includes a $25 tax-deductible donation to SAR)

To register for this trip click here.

Study Leader/Presenter: Dr. Jason Shapiro/Lisa Hunter

In 1970 former School for Advanced Research (SAR) president Douglas W. Schwartz began test excavations at the fourteenth-century Pueblo site of Arroyo Hondo, located approximately five miles south of Santa Fe. With support from the National Science Foundation, full-scale excavations were conducted in the summers of 1971 through 1974. The collection is at SAR, under the care of the Indian Arts Research Center (IARC), and is a valuable source of information for Southwestern archaeology and especially northern Rio Grande archaeology.

Join SAR in an exploration of this fascinating site. Our day will begin in SAR’s Dobkin boardroom with a presentation on the history of Arroyo Hondo by study leader Jason Shapiro, followed by a short presentation on the transfer of the collection to the Center for New Mexico Archaeology by Lisa Hunter, SAR’s Arroyo Hondo collections move assistant.

We’ll then enjoy lunch on the patio at SAR before heading over to Arroyo Hondo Pueblo preserve, where we’ll spend a couple of hours with Jason, walking around the site and learning about its history and mysteries.

Jason Shapiro

Dr. Jason S. Shapiro practiced law in Pennsylvania for 15 years before attending the Pennsylvania State University where he earned a Ph.D. in Anthropology. His dissertation research focused on the arrangement of built space at Arroyo Hondo Pueblo, a 14th-15th century pueblo located near Santa Fe, NM, and resulted in the publication of his first book, A Space Syntax Analysis of Arroyo Hondo Pueblo, New Mexico: Community Formation in the Northern Rio Grande (SAR Press 2005). His second book, Before Santa Fe: The Archaeology of the City Different (Museum of New Mexico Press 2008) is the first comprehensive synthesis of the archaeology of the Santa Fe region. Additional academic degrees include an MSPH in Environmental Management from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a BA in Geography from Clark University, Worcester, MA.

From 2000-2013, Dr. Shapiro taught a variety of Anthropology, Archaeology, and History classes at Santa Fe Community College. He has also taught classes at The Pennsylvania State University, The University of Maryland, The College of Santa Fe, New Mexico Highlands University, and The Renesan Institute for Lifelong Learning. For several years he was a member and Chair, of the Archaeological Review Committee for the City of Santa Fe. Dr. Shapiro is married to Christine Miracle and they live in Santa Fe where Dr. Shapiro writes and lectures on matters involving local archaeology and history.

Lisa Hunter has a bachelor’s degree in archaeology/anthropology with a concentration in forensic anthropology; a master’s degree in human osteology, paleopathology, and funerary archaeology; and a professional development graduate certificate in museum studies. She has held internships with the National Park Service Chaco Culture National Historical Park and Museum of Indian Arts & Culture.

Activity Level: Moderate – Strenuous: Participants must be in good health and able to hike off-trail, over uneven ground with no shade. Sun hats, hiking boots, and walking sticks are encouraged.

This trip will be self-driving.

Includes: Study leader/ presenter, gratuities, water and snacks, and lunch in Santa Fe

Please note that transportation to Arroyo Hondo Pueblo is not provided at this time. Parking is available at SAR and minimal parking at the Arroyo Hondo Pueblo site.

COVID-19: We are excited to resume SAR member trips. In order to ensure your safety and the safety of our staff and study leaders, we ask you to abide by the protocols in place at the time of the trip. Those protocols will be sent to you a week or so prior. SAR guidelines can change based on the CDC and state guidelines. Thank you for your understanding and patience during these unusual times.

Field trips are open to SAR members and our Galisteo members and up receive priority registration. For more information about SAR’s field trips, including activity levels and our cancellation policy, please visit our field trips page here.