OAS Distinguished Lecture
The Annual OAS Distinguished Lecture for 2026 is in the planning stages. Please check back here for more information in the near future!
OAS Brown Bag Talks
The Office of Archaeological Studies (OAS), a Division of the State of New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA), offers occasional noontime lectures by leading scholars in Southwest archaeology.
January 14, 2026 — Some Ceramic Types from the Mogollon-Mimbres Country: Clay, Change, Connection and Classification
Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at noon at the Center for New Mexico Archaeology, a free lunchtime talk by C. Dean Wilson, archaeologist and recognized expert on prehistoric Southwest ceramics. Archaeologist Dean Wilson will focus on the changing sequence of Early Mogollon Decorated Ware, Mimbres White Ware, and Mogollon Brown Ware types for provinces in the Mogollon Highlands. The distinct characteristics noted for pottery assigned to these wares, while often characterized as reflecting a distinct cultural tradition, also seem to be the result of a long-lived technology adapted to the distinct temper, paste clay and slip resources associated with the volcanic fields and alluvial deposits that cover this region. The distinct nature of pottery produced in these regions result from the use of ubiquitous high iron, soft low firing, porous and extremely moldable clay sources. The use of such resources resulted in very distinct pottery forms as compared to that associated with well-known pottery long produced by Ancestral Pueblo groups in the Colorado Plateau.
Bring your brown bag lunch enjoy the unique opportunity to learn how culture, technology, and our natural environment worked together to shape the iconic pottery of the Mogollon-Mimbres people and appreciate the skill and resourcefulness of these ancient craftsmen. The free brown bag lunch and discussion take place at The New Mexico Office of Archaeological Studies, 7 Old Cochiti Rd. Santa Fe, NM at noon on Wednesday, January 14, 2026
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December 11th, 2024–Trends in Decorated Pottery During the Pueblo Revolt Period
Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at noon! A free lunchtime talk, Trends in Decorated Pottery during the Pueblo Revolt Period, will be presented by OAS Research Associate C. Dean Wilson. The talk will focus on trends in Pueblo decorated pottery produced and distributed throughout the greater Santa Fe area during the seventeenth century. The talk will include
Education Outreach Events
Please contact Ziggy Prothro by email at ziggy.prothros@dca.nm.gov or John Taylor-Montoya by email at john.taylor-montoya@dca.nm.gov for details on Education Outreach events.
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Saturday, September 27th, 2025–Archaeology Fair at Ghost Ranch
Archaeology Fair 2025 has been scheduled for Saturday, September 27th at the lovely Ghost Ranch, New Mexico. Join us for Archaeology Fair at Ghost Ranch on Saturday, September 27th, 2025, from 10 am until 3 pm. Last year we partnered with the New Mexico Historic Preservation Division and more than a dozen state, federal, and
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April 26th, 2025–Member Day at the Center for New Mexico Archaeology
Exciting news! Member Day at the Center for New Mexico Archaeology is scheduled for Saturday, April 26th from 12 pm until 3 pm. The Office of Archaeological Studies is hosting this event in partnership with the Museum of New Mexico Foundation. Activities will include new staff introductions and project updates, hands-on demonstrations and lab tours,
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February 24th, 2025–Culture Day at the Roundhouse
Join Ziggy Prothro, the New Mexico Office of Archaeological Studies’ Education Outreach Coordinator, at the New Mexico Roundhouse for the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs’ Culture Day! This year’s Culture Day is scheduled for Monday, February 24th, 2025 in the capitol rotunda. Ziggy will be joined by the staff of the New Mexico Office
Friends of Archaeology Events
Details about upcoming Friends of Archaeology events and information on sign-ups are available at the Museum of New Mexico’s Friends of Archaeology website.