The February meeting of the Houston Archeological Society will be held virtually only via Zoom on Thursday, February 19th, at 6:00 p.m. Please note that there will be no inperson gathering. The Zoom link will be emailed to members the week of the meeting. We will welcome Sammi Burke, a graduate assistant in the Anthropology Department of New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Burke will discuss the cultural significance of insect imagery within the Mimbres Mogollon culture of southwest New Mexico (AD 1000-1150). Stylized depictions frequently appear on Classic Mimbres pottery, and the creatures played important roles in Pueblo oral traditions, ceremonies, and architecture

Pueblo belief systems incorporated parts of insects and imitated insect behavior as vehicles to mystical power. Burke is particularly interested in the magic ascribed to antlions: their various life phases (larva/doodlebug, pupa, adult) created opportunities for Pueblo rituals. Burke holds a BA degree in Anthropology with a minor in Archeology (2025) and is currently pursuing her MA in Anthropology, focusing in Archeology and Entomology. She is applying her background to conduct interdisciplinary research on arthropod imagery, symbolism, and ritualistic utilization within prehistoric American Southwestern cultures. Her experience includes volunteering as a research assistant with the La Frontera Project, field work and field school at Cottonwood Spring Pueblo (LA 175), and past employment as a research
assistant at the New Mexico State University Arthropod Museum.

Burke has received scholarship awards from the Archaeological Research Lab/Cultural Management Endowed Fund, Friends of Anthropology, and the HED Graduate Scholarship. We hope you will all join us virtually for this fascinating presentation. Be looking for your meeting reminder with the Zoom link. For more information about this program or about the Houston Archeological Society, please contact Bob Sewell at president@txhas.org.

HAS JOURNAL 144 NOW AVAILABLE

HAS Journal No. 144 is now available. The Journal Number 144 The articles will focus on the San Felipe de Austin Dig by John Lohse, Horseshoes in Texas, a Thimble from the 18th or 19th century from France found in Frosttown, and another article about Camp Kirby in Dickenson, TX, a civil war camp by Charly Gordy, ceramics from Cottonfield by Tim Perttula, and information from Mike Woods about a Butted Knife Found in Comal County. Complimentary copies may be obtained by HAS members at the monthly meetings. Non-HAS members may purchase copies through Amazon.com. Go to the HAS Journals Section for a link to the publication on the Amazon.com website. Alternatively, copies may be purchased at the HAS Monthly Meetings.

To learn more about the history behind our archeological society contact president@txhas.org.