Artifacts untouched at Ariz. bombing ranges

[unhappycamper]

Artifacts untouched at Ariz. bombing ranges
By John Faherty - The Arizona Republic via AP
Posted : Saturday Nov 28, 2009 16:07:01 EST

PHOENIX — There are places here where the desert floor is so speckled with artifacts, it is difficult to find a step that will not fracture history.

In a place called Lago Seco, pieces of pottery, many more than 800 years old, glisten in the morning sun. Stone tools and arrowheads are covered with only a thin layer of sand.

Then in the howling silence, a massive cloud of dirt and sand rises from the ground. Moments later, a concussive blast rolls out of Manned Range 4.

The bomb was dropped from a jet neither seen nor heard.

War games and live fire are expected on this military bombing range.


REst of article at: http://marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/11/ap_military_artifacts_112809/

[Lagomorph]

1. Really interesting...

At Goldwater Range, nearly 94 percent of the land is protected.

“We closed some targets when we decided the value of the archaeological site superseded the value of the target,” said Uken, a retired colonel now working as a civilian.

Another important factor for preservation is the fact that the military’s presence has prevented farming, mining and grazing.

One of Uken’s favorite parts of the preservation effort is when a representative of the Tohono O’odham Nation talks to pilots-in-training and their instructors.

“These are very patriotic people,” Uken said of the Tohono O’odhams. “Many of them have served. They understand the importance of military preparedness. They also know why the land matters.”

“The pilots, they listen and they ask a lot of questions about how it was and where these people came from. They want to know what makes it sacred,” said Joe Joaquin, a cultural affairs officer for the Tohono O’odham Nation.