Heritage, Volume 11, Number 2, Spring 1993 Page: 4
28 p. : ill. 28 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
By John B. MeadowsRegrettably, all too often the archaeological
research that is funded is not done
so because it is the follow-up of the natural
progression of clues or the preference of the
professional. Most projects are selected
because the site is soon to be destroyed.
This is a fact that is made necessary due to
inadequate resources available to fund the
needed archaeological research.
It is the rule and not the exception to
the rule that anticipated construction, most
frequently of highways, dictates what
project will receive the scarce funding that
is expended annually on archaeological
research. This form of crisis management,
although necessary in most cases, denies
the professionals the opportunity to pursue
investigation and the study of evidence
vital to ongoing research.
In the book "The First Quarter Century," by Mrs. Will E. Wilson
and Deolece Parmelee, published in 1979 by the Texas Historical
Foundation, this need for funding was recognized.
"Studies in archaeology thrive only when they have adequate
funding. State budget makers do not always recognize the
moral and sociological need for such studies (although the
studies are fundamental to the continuance of education in
the nation). Taxpayers sometimes drag their feet when asked
to finance studies that seem remote from the food-clothingshelter-transportation
and peace requirements of the family of
man. Not even the "public archaeology" needs of government,
recognized belatedly in the 1960s have exerted enough influence
to develop the advancements expected of archaeology if
this science is to enrich the cultural life of the nation."
The Texas Historical Foundation has long recognized the need
for funding archaeological research. Over the years, the Foundation
has helped fund varied projects such as investigations ofSpanish shipwrecks, the study and protection
of Indian pictographs, and the publications
of several investigative studies of
sites. Additional funding has provided in
part the opportunity to investigate the
"narrows" of Tule Canyon, the MerrellTaylor
Village site, the Soda Lake ruins,
Granado Cave in Culberson County, the
Adobe Walls, and the Plaza De Los Partores.
Most recently, the Foundation has
helped fund the Texas Archeological
Society's 1991 Field School held near the
Red River to investigate several Caddo
Indian sites. Also receiving funding this
year was the Crosbyton County Pioneer
Memorial Museum for the classification of
Native American archaeological artifacts.
The Foundation also provided for the
printing of the recent Texas Historical
Commission's "Ydoiaga's Report to the Viceroy of Spain."
It is not sufficient for us to simply recognize the importance of
such worthwhile archaeological projects. It is imperative that each
of us commits financially to help the Texas Historical Foundation
provide continued funding of these types of archaeological projects
that are often neglected by governmental sources. The Foundation
is grateful to those who have been kind and generous in the past
with their donations. Rest assured that your past as well as future
contributions will be invested wisely to promote the advancement
of archaeological and historical knowledge.
In another area of interest to THF members, at the Foundation's
Awards Banquet held in Austin on January 23, 1993 -(see related
stories on page 20), it was an honor to recognize several organizations
and persons who in the past year have given so much of their
time and effort toward various worthwhile projects. I encourage
you to read further in this magazine about the recipients and their
projects and to join with me in applauding their accomplishments.4 HERITAGE * SPRING 1993
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Texas Historical Foundation. Heritage, Volume 11, Number 2, Spring 1993, periodical, Spring 1993; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth46808/m1/4/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas Historical Foundation.