CoPS Coalition of Pre-Columbian Studies Rick Osmon Associate of Science, Laser and Electro-Optics Technology

Coalition of Pre-Columbian Studies

The science of archaeology itself is scarcely more than 100 years old

Just the ‘Facts, Ma’am Cultural artifact, a human-made object which gives information about the culture of its creator and users Artifact (archaeology), any object made or modified by a human culture, and later recovered by an archaeological endeavor Social artifact, a product of individuals or groups (social beings) or of their social behavior

Related ‘Facts Social artifact is any product of individuals or groups (social beings) or of their social behavior. Biofact (or ecofact ) is an object, found at an archaeological site and carrying archaeological significance, but previously unhanded by humans Mentifacts are the ideas, values and beliefs of a culture. Art object that is made and or valued primarily for an "artistic" rather than practical function

Social artifact is any product of individuals or groups (social beings) or of their social behavior.

Biofact (or ecofact ) is an object, found at an archaeological site and carrying archaeological significance, but previously unhanded by humans

Mentifacts are the ideas, values and beliefs of a culture.

Art object that is made and or valued primarily for an "artistic" rather than practical function

CoPS Mission Highlights Scientific mission Political mission Educational mission

Scientific mission

Political mission

Educational mission

CoPS Mission Highlights Compile data of pre-Columbian cultures Catalog that data Coordinate review of data, analysis, & conclusions (avocational peer review process using scientific method) Compel respect for sites and artifacts Change paradigms

Compile data of pre-Columbian cultures

Catalog that data

Coordinate review of data, analysis, & conclusions (avocational peer review process using scientific method)

Compel respect for sites and artifacts

Change paradigms

Not Just Contact Facts All the evidence is potentially important Geological Astronomical Climatological Mineralogical

Paradigms Hoaxes Any evidence of ancient contact not found / discovered in “controlled” context Misinterpretations Contextually indisputable, but “clearly” not what it is purported to be

Hoaxes Any evidence of ancient contact not found / discovered in “controlled” context

Misinterpretations Contextually indisputable, but “clearly” not what it is purported to be

Science by Declaration Henrietta Mertz observed this is legally described as “Ipse Dixit”, a Latin phrase meaning "he himself said it." The term labels a statement asserted but not proved, to be accepted on faith. Usually from a person of standing; a dictum.

Henrietta Mertz observed this is legally described as “Ipse Dixit”, a Latin phrase meaning "he himself said it." The term labels a statement asserted but not proved, to be accepted on faith. Usually from a person of standing; a dictum.

Who Could Dictate this Paradigm? Who had the means? Who had the opportunity? What was the motive? How has the paradigm survived?

Who had the means?

Who had the opportunity?

What was the motive?

How has the paradigm survived?

Major John Wesley Powell Born March 24, 1834 at Mount Morris, New York, Died September 23, 1902 Second Director of the United States Geological Survey. Served from 1881-1894. Famous for the 1869 Powell Geographic Expedition, a three-month river trip down the Green and Colorado rivers that included the first passage through the Grand Canyon

Born March 24, 1834 at Mount Morris, New York, Died September 23, 1902

Second Director of the United States Geological Survey. Served from 1881-1894. Famous for the 1869 Powell Geographic Expedition, a three-month river trip down the Green and Colorado rivers that included the first passage through the Grand Canyon

About Powell Hero & disabled veteran of the Civil War Established and first Director of the Smithsonian’s Bureau of Ethnology

Hero & disabled veteran of the Civil War

Established and first Director of the Smithsonian’s Bureau of Ethnology

Powell’s Background Father was itinerant Methodist preacher who immigrated from Shrewsbury, England in 1830. Family moved frequently and generally westward He studied at Illinois College, Wheaton College, and Oberlin College, acquiring a knowledge of Ancient Greek and Latin but never graduating.

Father was itinerant Methodist preacher who immigrated from Shrewsbury, England in 1830.

Family moved frequently and generally westward

He studied at Illinois College, Wheaton College, and Oberlin College, acquiring a knowledge of Ancient Greek and Latin but never graduating.

Powell’s Motives Born near the place and time of the establishment of Mormon Church, Anti-Mason Party, and while Indian Removal Act of 1830 were all still hotly debated Illinois College is a day’s ride from the site of Joseph Smith’s assassination and two days from the area of the “Mormon War”

Born near the place and time of the establishment of Mormon Church, Anti-Mason Party, and while Indian Removal Act of 1830 were all still hotly debated

Illinois College is a day’s ride from the site of Joseph Smith’s assassination and two days from the area of the “Mormon War”

Powell’s Doctrine ON LIMITATIONS TO THE USE OF SOME ANTHROPOLOGIC DATA. BY J. W. POWELL

ON LIMITATIONS TO THE USE OF SOME ANTHROPOLOGIC DATA. BY J. W. POWELL

Powell’s Views “ It may be said that in the Pueblos discovered in the southwestern portion of the United States and farther south through Mexico and perhaps into Central America tribes are known having a culture quite as far advanced as any exhibited in the discovered ruins. In this respect, then, there is no need to search for an extra-limital origin through lost tribes for any art there exhibited. “

“ It may be said that in the Pueblos discovered in the southwestern portion of the United States and farther south through Mexico and perhaps into Central America tribes are known having a culture quite as far advanced as any exhibited in the discovered ruins. In this respect, then, there is no need to search for an extra-limital origin through lost tribes for any art there exhibited. “

Powell’s Views “ With regard to the mounds so widely scattered between the two oceans, it may also be said that mound-building tribes were known in the early history of discovery of this continent, and that the vestiges of art discovered do not excel in any respect the arts of the Indian tribes known to history. There is, therefore, no reason for us to search for an extra-limital origin through lost tribes for the arts discovered in the mounds of North America. “

“ With regard to the mounds so widely scattered between the two oceans, it may also be said that mound-building tribes were known in the early history of discovery of this continent, and that the vestiges of art discovered do not excel in any respect the arts of the Indian tribes known to history. There is, therefore, no reason for us to search for an extra-limital origin through lost tribes for the arts discovered in the mounds of North America. “

Powell’s Views “ The great body of picture-writings is thus described; yet to some slight extent pictographs are found with characters more or less conventional, and the number of such is quite large in Mexico and Central America. Yet even these conventional characters are used with others less conventional in such a manner that perfect records were never made. “

“ The great body of picture-writings is thus described; yet to some slight extent pictographs are found with characters more or less conventional, and the number of such is quite large in Mexico and Central America. Yet even these conventional characters are used with others less conventional in such a manner that perfect records were never made. “

Powell’s Views “ Three centuries of intimate contact with a civilized race has had no small influence upon the pristine condition of these savage and barbaric tribes . The most speedy and radical change was that effected in the arts, industrial and ornamental. A steel knife was obviously better than a stone knife; firearms than bows and arrows; and textile fabrics from the looms of civilized men are at once seen to be more beautiful and more useful than the rude fabrics and undressed skins with which the Indians clothed themselves in that earlier day. “

“ Three centuries of intimate contact with a civilized race has had no small influence upon the pristine condition of these savage and barbaric tribes . The most speedy and radical change was that effected in the arts, industrial and ornamental. A steel knife was obviously better than a stone knife; firearms than bows and arrows; and textile fabrics from the looms of civilized men are at once seen to be more beautiful and more useful than the rude fabrics and undressed skins with which the Indians clothed themselves in that earlier day. “

Cranks, Crackpots, & Charlatans When impossible to discredit the evidence, discredit the discoverer No need to examine directly, dismiss out of hand When all else fails, ignore

When impossible to discredit the evidence, discredit the discoverer

No need to examine directly, dismiss out of hand

When all else fails, ignore

The Opposition Isaiah Thomas (January 8, 1749 - April 4, 1831), was an American newspaper publisher and author. He performed the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in Worcester, Massachusetts and reported the first account of the Battles of Lexington and Concord. He was the founder of the American Antiquarian Society

Isaiah Thomas (January 8, 1749 - April 4, 1831), was an American newspaper publisher and author. He performed the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in Worcester, Massachusetts and reported the first account of the Battles of Lexington and Concord. He was the founder of the American Antiquarian Society

AAS Philosophy The Society was incorporated by act of the General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on October 24, 1812, in response to a petition from Isaiah Thomas and his colleagues that they might establish an organization to "encourage the collection and preservation of the Antiquities of our country, and of curious and valuable productions in Art and Nature [that] have a tendency to enlarge the sphere of human knowledge." Further, they wished to promote the use of such collections in order to "aid the progress of science, to perpetuate the history of moral and political events, and to improve and interest posterity."

The Society was incorporated by act of the General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on October 24, 1812, in response to a petition from Isaiah Thomas and his colleagues that they might establish an organization to "encourage the collection and preservation of the Antiquities of our country, and of curious and valuable productions in Art and Nature [that] have a tendency to enlarge the sphere of human knowledge." Further, they wished to promote the use of such collections in order to "aid the progress of science, to perpetuate the history of moral and political events, and to improve and interest posterity."

AAS Alumni Some notable members of AAS before and during Powell’s life John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, John Q. Adams, Andrew Jackson, Rutherford B. Hayes, Teddy Roosevelt All but Hayes and Jefferson are known Freemasons

Some notable members of AAS before and during Powell’s life

John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, John Q. Adams, Andrew Jackson, Rutherford B. Hayes, Teddy Roosevelt All but Hayes and Jefferson are known Freemasons

Univ. S. Maine “Although modern scholars no longer believe in the diffusion theory it was once thought that the Red Paint people traveled across the Northern Hemisphere from Europe to North America. The diffusion theory was based on similarities between the Red Paint people's stone tool technology, houses, and ritualistic burial habits that included the use of red ocher.”

“Although modern scholars no longer believe in the diffusion theory it was once thought that the Red Paint people traveled across the Northern Hemisphere from Europe to North America. The diffusion theory was based on similarities between the Red Paint people's stone tool technology, houses, and ritualistic burial habits that included the use of red ocher.”

Warren King Moorehead Warren King Moorehead was known in his time as the 'Dean of American archaeology'

Warren King Moorehead was known in his time as the 'Dean of American archaeology'

Warren Moorehead “ 1912-1920s Moorehead, the director of the Peabody Museum, brought attention to the Red Paint People, and to the controversy surrounding their identity. Moorehead proposed that the Red Paint People were not related to the Algonquin tribes that inhabited the Maine territories of the Red Paint People at a later point in time. Instead Moorehead believed that the Red Paint People were an unrelated ancient culture.” http://www.usm.maine.edu/gany/webaa/newpage4.htm

“ 1912-1920s Moorehead, the director of the Peabody Museum, brought attention to the Red Paint People, and to the controversy surrounding their identity. Moorehead proposed that the Red Paint People were not related to the Algonquin tribes that inhabited the Maine territories of the Red Paint People at a later point in time. Instead Moorehead believed that the Red Paint People were an unrelated ancient culture.”

Unacceptable Moorehead observed, as did Willoghby, that Red Paint People tools, prey, architecture, grave rituals and grave goods were identical on both sides of the Atlantic.

Moorehead observed, as did Willoghby, that Red Paint People tools, prey, architecture, grave rituals and grave goods were identical on both sides of the Atlantic.

Moorehead’s Position The controversy surrounding the age and identity of the people originated with the character of red ocher deposits. Although they were generally considered to be graves, they were apparently so old that no bones were preserved and some of the stone artifacts were even badly decayed. This led Moorehead to declare in the pages of the preimmenent journal, American Anthropology: "It is our conviction that the graves represent an ancient and exceedingly primitive culture, totally different from that of the later Algonquin tribes" (Moorehead 1913).

The controversy surrounding the age and identity of the people originated with the character of red ocher deposits. Although they were generally considered to be graves, they were apparently so old that no bones were preserved and some of the stone artifacts were even badly decayed. This led Moorehead to declare in the pages of the preimmenent journal, American Anthropology:

"It is our conviction that the graves represent an ancient and exceedingly primitive culture, totally different from that of the later Algonquin tribes" (Moorehead 1913).

Challenged w/out evidence The proposal of a "new" ancient culture could not go unchallenged and the challenge came in 1914 from none other than David T. Bushnell of the Smithsonian Institution, who suggested that the Red Paint People may indeed be quite recent. This controversy occurred long before the radiocarbon dating (carbon 14) techniques had been invented, and as with so many controversies, that of the Red Paint People faded away with new information. Moorehead was correct that the graves were quite ancient, usually dating between 2,000 to 6,000 years ago, but with rocks going as far back as 6,000 years.

The proposal of a "new" ancient culture could not go unchallenged and the challenge came in 1914 from none other than David T. Bushnell of the Smithsonian Institution, who suggested that the Red Paint People may indeed be quite recent. This controversy occurred long before the radiocarbon dating (carbon 14) techniques had been invented, and as with so many controversies, that of the Red Paint People faded away with new information. Moorehead was correct that the graves were quite ancient, usually dating between 2,000 to 6,000 years ago, but with rocks going as far back as 6,000 years.

Don’t Give an Inch Bushnell's concern was not unfounded, however, as the Smithsonian was at the time waging a battle against other "Satanic" interpretations of Native American archeology, most notably the theory that the Mound Builders of Midwestern United States were an ancient race of people, perhaps one of the seven tribes of Israel, that came before the Indian cultures of North America.

Bushnell's concern was not unfounded, however, as the Smithsonian was at the time waging a battle against other "Satanic" interpretations of Native American archeology, most notably the theory that the Mound Builders of Midwestern United States were an ancient race of people, perhaps one of the seven tribes of Israel, that came before the Indian cultures of North America.

C-14 to the Rescue Moorehead’s age for Red Paint was eventually vindicated using C-14. Same age found in Scandinavia, Orkneys, and even Mauritania. But they are still “parallel, independent development”.

Moorehead’s age for Red Paint was eventually vindicated using C-14. Same age found in Scandinavia, Orkneys, and even Mauritania. But they are still “parallel, independent development”.

“Awkward” Parallels “ In suitable areas houses were made by excavating depressions into boulder beaches. At some sites, where the retreating sea level left a series of raised beaches, house forms can be seen to have evolved from single family dwellings to communal dwellings consisting of a number of "fashion rooms" arranged in a linear along the beach. These dwellings reached their peak at the Nulliak site, where " longhouses " as long as 100m have been discovered. “ http://www.heritage.nf.ca/aboriginal/maritime.html

“ In suitable areas houses were made by excavating depressions into boulder beaches. At some sites, where the retreating sea level left a series of raised beaches, house forms can be seen to have evolved from single family dwellings to communal dwellings consisting of a number of "fashion rooms" arranged in a linear along the beach. These dwellings reached their peak at the Nulliak site, where " longhouses " as long as 100m have been discovered. “

Hard Science, Hard Evidence It took eighty years for full realization that people could have navigated the Atlantic in ancient times. Radiocarbon dating, geologic context, and identical material culture were merely coincidence.

It took eighty years for full realization that people could have navigated the Atlantic in ancient times. Radiocarbon dating, geologic context, and identical material culture were merely coincidence.

Lesson? Hard science coupled to solid logic eventually wins out.

Hard science coupled to solid logic eventually wins out.

How to Fix It? We Need Tools and a Plan Scientific Method Solid Logic Education/ Edification Cooperation Political Action

Scientific Method

Solid Logic

Education/ Edification

Cooperation

Political Action

Enter CoPS

CoPS Evidence Cycle Use best SM practices Consensus analysis Paper reviews Publish Publicize

Use best SM practices

Consensus analysis

Paper reviews

Publish

Publicize

Compile Compile data regarding all forms and instances of Pre-Columbian evidence, both contact and non-contact Earthworks, architectural, historical, traditional, religious, scripts, tablets, tools, technology, mining, skeletal, DNA, maps, commodities, linguistic, others

Compile data regarding all forms and instances of Pre-Columbian evidence, both contact and non-contact

Earthworks, architectural, historical, traditional, religious, scripts, tablets, tools, technology, mining, skeletal, DNA, maps, commodities, linguistic, others

Catalog Establish and maintain a relational database of physical finds and the documents related to them. Public domain documents and images would be cataloged in entirety. Copyrighted materials will be reference only. Catalog entries to be provided and maintained by CoPS members.

Establish and maintain a relational

database of physical finds and the

documents related to them. Public domain

documents and images would be cataloged

in entirety. Copyrighted materials will be

reference only. Catalog entries to be

provided and maintained by CoPS

members.

Coordinate (and facilitate) Coordinate the efforts of various groups and organizations towards scientific evaluation of evidence. Coordinate political actions regarding protection of certain ancient sites. Coordinate certain other political actions, e.g., petitions

Compel Compel the general public, political entities, and academia to regard Pre-Columbian contact with a scientific, open-minded approach and to regard Columbus as one of many explorers to reach the New World.

Compel the general public, political entities, and academia to regard Pre-Columbian contact with a scientific, open-minded approach and to regard Columbus as one of many explorers to reach the New World.

Change Change the paradigm that Columbus was First Change the bias that ancient people were stupid and unsophisticated Change the presumption that any evidence of Old World contact is either faked or misinterpreted

Change the paradigm that Columbus was First

Change the bias that ancient people were

stupid and unsophisticated

Change the presumption that any evidence

of Old World contact is either faked or

misinterpreted

Education / Edification Public Access Database Public Outreach, Participation Public Presentation Programs School Presentation Programs Scholarship Programs Lay Research Assistance Program

Public Access Database

Public Outreach, Participation

Public Presentation Programs

School Presentation Programs

Scholarship Programs

Lay Research Assistance Program

Cooperation Establish Cooperative Research and Development Agreements with Other Groups, Institutions Establish Procedures for Cooperative Efforts for Protection of Endangered Sites Establish and Grow Network of Interested Researchers, both Lay and Doctrinal Provide United Front on Important Ideas

Establish Cooperative Research and Development Agreements with Other Groups, Institutions

Establish Procedures for Cooperative Efforts for Protection of Endangered Sites

Establish and Grow Network of Interested Researchers, both Lay and Doctrinal

Provide United Front on Important Ideas

Political Action Site Protection Issues Participate in Relevant Public Feedback Cycles for EIS, etc. Submit “Friend of the Court” Briefs When Needed Promote Strategic Changes to existing Laws and Regulations

Site Protection Issues

Participate in Relevant Public Feedback

Cycles for EIS, etc.

Submit “Friend of the Court” Briefs When

Needed

Promote Strategic Changes to existing Laws and Regulations

First Political Goal Quit Calling it “Columbus Day” Legally Rename it, by Act of Congress or State Legislature “ Explorers' Day ”

Quit Calling it “Columbus Day”

Legally Rename it, by Act of Congress or State Legislature

“ Explorers' Day ”

Precedents Alaska – does not recognize Hawaii -celebrates Discoverer's Day South Dakota-"Native American Day" Nevada - not a legal holiday Colorado - parade in Denver has been protested by Native American groups and their supporters for nearly two decades

Alaska – does not recognize

Hawaii -celebrates Discoverer's Day

South Dakota-"Native American Day"

Nevada - not a legal holiday

Colorado - parade in Denver has been protested by Native American groups and their supporters for nearly two decades

History Leif Erikson Day is an American observance occurring on October 9. It honors Leif Ericson (Leifr Eiríksson), who brought the first Europeans known to have set foot on North American soil. In 1964, Congress authorized and requested the President to create the observance through an annual proclamation. Lyndon B. Johnson and each President since have done so.

Who Else? What other famous explorers deserve national recognition and celebrations? And it's not just geographical exploration

What other famous explorers deserve national recognition and celebrations?

And it's not just geographical exploration

Key Word: Deserve Apollo Eleven Crew, Lewis and Clark, Sacagawea, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Captain John Smith, Daniel Boone, Wright Brothers, Israel Cook Russell, Jonathan Carver, Richard E. Byrd, Tesla, Einstein, Barry Fell, Gloria Farley, Fred Rydholm… many, many others

Apollo Eleven Crew, Lewis and Clark,

Sacagawea, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford,

Captain John Smith, Daniel Boone, Wright

Brothers, Israel Cook Russell, Jonathan

Carver, Richard E. Byrd, Tesla, Einstein,

Barry Fell, Gloria Farley, Fred Rydholm…

many, many others

Including even Columbus & Major John Wesley Powell!

Organization Policy Outreach Testing Site Protection Public Outreach Disputed objects Disputed objects School Outreach Review Old Finds/Papers Public–held Artifacts Scholarships Review New Finds/Papers Legislative Data Base Data Base Data Base Education Scientific Political / Legal

Affiliation NEARA MES AKHA AAPS AAS FAMSI Tribes Historical Societies College Anthro Depts. Pro Orgs Others

NEARA

MES

AKHA

AAPS

AAS

FAMSI

Tribes

Historical Societies

College Anthro Depts.

Pro Orgs

Others

Funding Propose $1 from each dues paying member of each group diverted to CoPS Propose that education institutions no fee Propose non-group members pay $10 / year or “on-access” fees Propose book / document sales from web site

Propose $1 from each dues paying member of each group diverted to CoPS

Propose that education institutions no fee

Propose non-group members pay $10 / year or “on-access” fees

Propose book / document sales from web site

Evolving Concept Draft Business Plan Basic Documents Development Membership Rights and Responsibilities Outreach Program Content and Plan State Coordinators Financial Officer

Draft Business Plan

Basic Documents Development

Membership Rights and Responsibilities

Outreach Program Content and Plan

State Coordinators

Financial Officer

CONTACT Rick Osmon Ph 812 259 1102 [email_address]

Rick Osmon

Ph 812 259 1102

[email_address]