FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: CYNTHIA ANN BETTISON, DIRECTOR & ARCHAEOLOGIST, WNMU MUSEUM, 538-6386

DATE: SEPTEMBER 27, 2004

SUBJECT: DR. HARRY J. SHAFFER TO PROVIDE FREE LECTURE AND BOOK SIGNING

Dr. Harry J. Shafer, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at Texas A&M University, will hold a free public lecture on Saturday, October 2 at 7:00 PM in the Global Resource Auditorium as the conclusion to the Mogollon Archaeology Conference. Shafer, who spent over two decades excavating and researching NAN Ranch Ruin on the lower Mimbres River, will speak on The Function of Mimbres Pottery.

According to Shafer, “the Mimbreños lived at the NAN Ranch site along the Mimbres River in southwestern New Mexico from about A.D. 600 to 1140. The Mimbreños are well known in the archaeological and art history circles for the naturalistic and geometric designs on their painted pottery. The Mimbres culture holds a certain fascination for those who have an interest in Southwestern archaeology due to the artistic legacy of their painted pottery. This decorative style has no equal in the American Southwest: the stylistic images of the pottery symbolize and identify a unique cultural heritage.”

Shafer also notes that due to the popularity of and the fascination with this ancient culture, one cannot enter a souvenir shop in the Southwest without seeing numerous modern items depicting naturalistic Mimbreño designs. He states that “it is unfair to claim the pottery as the single distinguishing characteristic of these ancient people, however, because the story of why they painted this pottery is far more intriguing.” To this end, Shafer will focus on the function of Mimbres pottery within a cultural context and his lecture will be based on his recently published book Mimbres Archaeology of NAN Ranch Ruin. Following the lecture, Shafer will sign copies of his book. His book is available at Western New Mexico University Museum for at a 10% discount plus tax and will be available at the lecture.

The 2004 Mogollon Archaeology Conference, September 30 through October 2, is hosted by Western New Mexico University Museum and features a special symposium Friday morning, October 1 honoring Shafer followed by a dinner the same evening at the museum. If you would like to register to attend the conference or the dinner, please contact the University Museum at 538-6386. The lecture and book signing is made possible in part by the Western New Mexico University Museum, the Associated Students of WNMU student fees, and the Holiday Inn Express.