MS 728
Bookmark this page or copy and paste URL to Email message
Collection Summary | |
| Creator: | Ward, Albert E. Fontana, Bernard L. |
| Collection Name: | Albert Ward papers, |
| Inclusive Dates: | 1953-2009 |
| Physical Description: | 2 Linear Feet |
| Abstract: | This collection consists of research materials relating to Albert E. Ward's archeological work in New Mexico. A majority of the collection references "Site 48," a ruin that Ward excavated in New Mexico. Site 48's authenticity was later called into question, leading to several legal battles in which Ward participated, claiming that the site was authentic and his evidence was proof of a Spanish-Indian residential fort. Materials include correspondence, maps, reports, notes, and research files. |
| Collection Number: | MS 728 |
| Language: | Materials are in English. |
| Repository: |
University of Arizona Libraries, Special Collections University of Arizona PO Box 210055 Tucson, AZ 85721-0055 Phone: 520-621-6423 Fax: 520-621-9733 URL: http://speccoll.library.arizona.edu/ E-Mail: LBRY-askspcoll@email.arizona.edu |
Albert E. Ward was born in Carlinville, Illinois on August 20, 1940. He would later attend Belvidere High School. After graduation, he persued an Associate of Arts Degree at Bethany Lutheran Jr. College in Mankato, Minnesota from 1959-1961. He would then go on to Northern Arizona University where he would earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Anthropology (1965-1968). From 1971-1972, Ward attended the University of Arizona where he would earn his Master of Arts degree in Anthropology.
His field work begain in 1965 when he was still a student at Northern Arizona University, where he worked as a student investigator at the excavation side of Lake Mary Rockshelter; Anasazi, Sinagua Branch. As a student Ward also assisted as excavations of Anasazi ruins in Winslow, Arizona. While at working at the Museum of Northern Arizona as an assistant archaeologist, he excavated the Inscripton House, Navajo National Monument; Anasazi, Kayeta branch. He also did excavations at Camp Willow Grove, in the Hopi Buttes area of the Navajo Reservation, at Elden Pueblo, Payson, Fish Swamill, Cow Springs, Toonerville, Puerco Ruins, Kabito Trading Post, Wupatki National Monument, the Zeyouma (Hopi) Trading Post, Black Mesa Coal Slurry Pipeline, near Colorado River Buff Ware, etc. For a detailed listing of his fieldwork and research, see Box 1, Folder 1 for his curriculum vitae.
Ward would later be involved in the Site 48 controversy. After excavating at Site 48 in New Mexico, Ward concluded that he'd found ruins confirming the existence of a residential Spanish-Indian trading post in the area. Outside academics questions the find, its results, and the way in which Ward documented the excavation. Critics claimed that Spanish documents did not mention this fort/trading post, and thus it could not be a 'real' site. This led to several lawsuits and questions about the authenticity of Site 48.
A majority of this collection contains information pertaining to the Los Esteros "Site 48" excavation and the controversy that surrounded Ward's excavation. Site 48 was a fortified Spanish-Indian trading post that was home to approximately 200 people in the 1700s. The site is unique because it is one of the earliest non-Indigenous settlements in the area. It is suggested that by the 1800s the village was in decline, largely in part due to cattle ranching overtaking sheep herding as an industrial practice in the area, and the population dwindled. Site 48 is currently underwater due to a dam diverging water in the area.
Ward and the Center for Anthropological Studies in Albuquerque were hired to excavate a second phase of Site 48. During the excavation, Ward found established walls and artifacts that he stated authenticated the site and proved it was a residential fort. However, other scholars argued that Spanish colonial documents never mentioned Site 48 and, therefore, it could not have existed. Additionally, some excavators working on the project cited that Ward's collection and documentation of objects and artifacts was not up to par with archeological standards. This led to a lengthy dispute about the validity of Site 48.
The documents in this collection were collected by Bernard L. Fontana, a known anthropological historian primarily focused in the southwest. Fontana and Ward corresponded frequently while Ward was in the midst of the Site 48 controversy.
There are no restrictions on this collection.
It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from theowner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Arizona Board of Regents for the University of Arizona, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.
Albert Ward papers (MS 728). Special Collections, University of Arizona Libraries
Processed by Michelle Nicole Boyer-Kelly in 2020.
| Series I: Research files, 1953-2009 | |||||||||||
| Scope and Contents | |||||||||||
| This series includes research files relating to Albert Ward's work in archaeology. These files have been divided into four subseries. Subseries 1 includes research relating to Rancho de Carnué, Subseries 2 includes research relating to Site 48 and makes up a majority of the collection, Subseries 3 includes published materials and reports, and Subseries 4 includes miscellaneous newspaper clippings. | |||||||||||
| Subseries 1: Rancho de Carnué (LA 12315), 1972-1989 | |||||||||||
| Scope and Contents | |||||||||||
| This subseries includes research pertaining to Rancho de Carnué. Located along the Tijeras Arroyo in New Mexico, Rancho de Carnué was excavated by Albert Ward in 1975. | |||||||||||
| box | folder | ||||||||||
| 1 | 1 | Albert Ward curriculum vitae, 1987 | |||||||||
| 1 | 2 | Rancho de Carnué (LA 12315) -- Historical Places form, 1976 | |||||||||
| 1 | 3 | Rancho de Carnué (LA 12315) -- Correspondence, 1972-1989 | |||||||||
| 1 | 4 | Rancho de Carnué (LA 12315) -- Reports, 1975-1984 | |||||||||
| 1 | 5 | Rancho de Carnué (LA 12315) -- Ward's write up, 1976 | |||||||||
| Subseries 2: Site 48, 1979-1987 | |||||||||||
| Scope and Contents | |||||||||||
| This subseries contains information pertaining to the Los Esteros "Site 48" excavation and the controversy that surrounded Ward's excavation. Site 48 was a fortified Spanish-Indian trading post that was home to approximately 200 people in the 1700s. The site is unique because it is one of the earliest non-Indigenous settlements in the area. It is suggested that by the 1800s the village was in decline, largely in part due to cattle ranching overtaking sheep herding as an industrial practice in the area, and the population dwindled. Site 48 is currently underwater due to a dam diverging water in the area. | |||||||||||
| Ward and the Center for Anthropological Studies in Albuquerque were hired to excavate a second phase of Site 48. During the excavation, Ward found established walls and artifacts that he stated authenticated the site and proved it was a residential fort. However, other scholars argued that Spanish colonial documents never mentioned Site 48 and, therefore, it could not have existed. Additionally, some excavators working on the project cited that Ward's collection and documentation of objects and artifacts was not up to par with archeological standards. This led to a lengthy dispute about the validity of Site 48. | |||||||||||
| box | folder | ||||||||||
| 1 | 6 | Early artifacts notes, maps, and surveys, undated | |||||||||
| 1 | 7 | Letters of support for Albert Ward, 1979-1981 | |||||||||
| 1 | 8 | Tape transcriptions, undated | |||||||||
| 1 | 9 | Site 48 color slides by Bernard L. Fontana, 1984 | |||||||||
| 1 | 10 | Preliminary reports, 1981-1984 | |||||||||
| 1 | 11 | Miscellaneous notes on Site 48, circa 1984-1987 | |||||||||
| 1 | 12 | Barker, Alison Randolph and W. K. Summers. "A Review of Fred L. Nials' Draft Report 'A Geoarchaeological Evaluation of Site 48'", 1984 | |||||||||
| 1 | 13 | Bohrer, Vorsila L.. "Review of 'Final Report of Investigations at Sites 48 and 77, Santa Rosa Lake, Guadalupe county, New Mexico' by F. Levine, et. al., OCA, Albuquerque, New Mexico", 1984 | |||||||||
| 1 | 14 | Levine, Frances, et. al.. "Investigations at Sites 48 and 77, Santa Rosa Lake, Guadalupe County, New Mexico: An Inquiry into the Nature of Archaeological Reality" draft version, 1987 | |||||||||
| 1 | 15 | Levine, Frances, et. al.. "Investigations at Sites 48 and 77, Santa Rosa Lake, Guadalupe County, New Mexico: An Inquiry into the Nature of Archaeological Reality" -- Volume I, 1987 | |||||||||
| 1 | 16 | Levine, Frances, et. al.. "Investigations at Sites 48 and 77, Santa Rosa Lake, Guadalupe County, New Mexico: An Inquiry into the Nature of Archaeological Reality" -- Volume II, 1987 | |||||||||
| 1 | 17 | Nials, Fred L.. "A Geographical Evaluation of Site 48" draft, undated | |||||||||
| 1 | 18 | Simmons, Marc. "Colonial Historical Summary Site 48", 1984 | |||||||||
| 1 | 19 | Simmons, Marc. "Observations on the History of East Central New Mexico in the Late Colonial Period, with Special Reference to Site 48", 1988 | |||||||||
| 1 | 20 | Simmons, Marc. "Review of the Final Report on Sites 48 and 77", 1984 | |||||||||
| 1 | 21 | Summers, W. K.. "A Detailed Analysis of the Geological Aspects of Site 48", 1985 | |||||||||
| 1 | 22 | Summers, W. K.. "Geological and Geotechnical Aspects Site 48 -- Santa Rosa Resevoir, Guadalupe County, New Mexico, A Summary Report", 1984 | |||||||||
| 1 | 23 | Tschaikowsky, Stefanie. "The Ethnobotanical and Archaeological Evidence for a Hypothesized Exchange System at Site 48, Near Santa Rosa, New Mexico" thesis, 1982 | |||||||||
| 1 | 24 | Ward, Albert E., et. al.. "Archaeological Investigations at Los Esteros Resevoir, Northeastern New Mexico", 1987 | |||||||||
| 1 | 25 | Ward, Albert E.. "Scope of Work", undated | |||||||||
| Subseries 3: Published materials and reports, 1953-1993 | |||||||||||
| Scope and Contents | |||||||||||
| This subseries includes published materials, including articles and reports, collected by Albert Ward. Most of the materials are related to different archaeological sites and studies. They are arranged alphabetically by author. | |||||||||||
| box | folder | ||||||||||
| 1 | 26 | Baxter, John O.. "Las Carneradas", 1987 | |||||||||
| 1 | 27 | Davis, Hester A.. "Professionalism in Archeology", 1982 | |||||||||
| 1 | 28 | Diderot, Dennis. "A Diderot Pictorial Encyclopedia of Trades and Industry", 1993 | |||||||||
| 1 | 29 | DiPeso, Charles C.. "The Sobaipuri Indians of the Upper San Pedro River Valley, Southeastern Arizona", 1953 | |||||||||
| 1 | 30 | Ellis, Bruce T.. "La Garita", 1984 | |||||||||
| 1 | 31 | Green, Dee F.. "Ethical Dilemmas in Federal Cultural Resource Management", undated | |||||||||
| 1 | 32 | Gunnderson, Dolores A.. "The Southern Athabascans: Their Arrival in the Southwest", 1963 | |||||||||
| 1 | 33 | Holschlag, Stephanie L., et. al.. "Ninety Six: The Jail", 1978 | |||||||||
| 1 | 34 | Levine, Frances. Multiple articles, 1976-1984 | |||||||||
| 1 | 35 | Miscellaneous articles and snippets, undated | |||||||||
| box | folder | ||||||||||
| 2 | 1 | Nostrand, Richard L.. "The Century of Hispanic Expression", 1987 | |||||||||
| 2 | 2 | Riley, Carroll L.. "The Frontier People", 1987 | |||||||||
| 2 | 3 | Riley, Caroll L.. "The Pecos River Line", 1987 | |||||||||
| 2 | 4 | Simmons, Alan H., et. al.. "Human Adaptations and Cultural Change in the Greater Southwest: An Overview of Archeological Resources in the Basin and Range Province", 1989 | |||||||||
| 2 | 5 | Simmons, Marc. "Introduction", undated | |||||||||
| 2 | 6 | Simmons, Marc and Frank Turley. "Southwestern Colonial Ironwork: The Spanish Blacksmithing Tradition from Texas to California", 1980 | |||||||||
| 2 | 7 | Stone, Lyle M.. "Fort Michilimackinac, 1715-1781", 1974 | |||||||||
| 2 | 8 | Ward, Albert E.. "A Critical Review of the Final Report of Investigations at Site 48 and 77, Santa Rosa Lake, Guadalupe County, New Mexico, Primary Authors Frances Levine, William H. Holeman, Jack B. Bertram, et. al.", 1985 | |||||||||
| Subseries 4: Clippings, 1977-2009 | |||||||||||
| Scope and Contents | |||||||||||
| This subseries includes newspaper clippings that were collected by Ward. Many of these clippings were then shared with Bernard L. Fontana. | |||||||||||
| box | folder | ||||||||||
| 2 | 9 | Clippings, 1977-2009 | |||||||||
| Series II: Correspondence, 1977-1992 | |||||||||||
| Scope and Contents | |||||||||||
| This series includes correspondence, most of which was compiled by Bernard L. Fontana, between Albert Ward and others working in his field. A majority of the correspondence deals with the Site 48 controversy. Correspondence has been divided into two subseries. Subseries 1 includes correspondence relating to legal issues and legal documents. Subseries 2 includes general correspondence, which is arranged alphabetically by correspondent(s). | |||||||||||
| Subseries 1: Legal correspondence and documents, 1977-1992 | |||||||||||
| Scope and Contents | |||||||||||
| This subseries includes correspondence related primarily to legal cases Albert Ward was involved in over Site 48. Correspondence is arranged chronologically in this subseries. | |||||||||||
| box | folder | ||||||||||
| 2 | 10 | Legal correspondence and documents, 1977-1992 | |||||||||
| Subseries 2: General correspondence, 1977-1990 | |||||||||||
| Scope and Contents | |||||||||||
| This subseries includes correspondence from Ward and his colleagues. Some of the correspondence touches upon the Site 48 controversy while other correspondence is unrelated. Correspondence in this subseries is arranged alphabetically by author(s) and chronologically. | |||||||||||
| box | folder | ||||||||||
| 2 | 11 | A -- Z, 1983-1988 | |||||||||
| 2 | 12 | Banks, Larry, 1984-1987 | |||||||||
| box | folder | ||||||||||
| 3 | 1 | Coombes, Jasper H., 1978-1986 | |||||||||
| 3 | 2 | Department of the Army, 1984-1987 | |||||||||
| 3 | 3 | Fontana, Bernard L., 1984-1991 | |||||||||
| 3 | 4 | Lattin, Jeanine L., 1985 | |||||||||
| 3 | 5 | Meighan, Dr. Clement W., 1987-1990 | |||||||||
| 3 | 6 | Peixotto, Colonel David, 1986-1987 | |||||||||
| 3 | 7 | Riley, Carroll L., 1987 | |||||||||
| 3 | 8 | Simmons, Dr. Marc, 1980-1988 | |||||||||
| 3 | 9 | Toulouse, James R., 1984-1987 | |||||||||
| 3 | 10 | US Department of the Interior, 1977-1988 | |||||||||
| 3 | 11 | White, James, 1984 | |||||||||
| 3 | 12 | Winter, Dr. Joseph C., 1984-1987 | |||||||||