Bernalillo, NM—November 7, 2011)—The Friends of Coronado State Monument will present a fascinating exhibit and discussion about the artifacts found at Kuaua Pueblo and Ghufoor site (later named Santiago - now a housing development along the northern end of Hwy 528). An abundance of artifacts and pottery sherds were collected when these sites were excavated in the 1930s. This collection is today stored at the Hibben Center of the Maxwell Museum in Albuquerque.

The presenters are Carolyn Gilmore, manager of the Sunfather Giftshop; Bear Haley, rock art expert; Deborah Ellis, a Coronado State Monument docent; and, Dennis Herrick, a retired journalist who has researched the Santiago site.

In early 2010 the four took a behind-the-scenes tour of the Hibben Center archives and found that the original archaeology students’ labeling was not always accurate and the storage containers for sherds were paper bags. Today’s cataloging guidelines and techniques have changed since the early excavators sifted through the Kuaua ruins, so the four volunteered to help recatalogue and sort the artifacts. They were detectives, searching through the collection, photographing, tagging, labeling and matching fragments that represent more whole examples of Kuaua’s and Santiago’s remnants, just two of the many villages in the Tiguex Province who shared a similar language base.

“It was tedious work and we were a bit overwhelmed by how much there is, but it was very rewarding,” said Carolyn. “What an experience to see and touch things that were made hundreds of years ago.”

Those attending will learn more about the history of the area and see fine examples of the collection as our presenters share their new insights about the early Pueblo farmers.

Admission: $5 general public, FREE for children 16 and under, FREE to Friends of Coronado. Visit our website: http://home.comcast.net/~friendsofcsm for more information, or call Gary Williams at (505) 792-4851.

Directions: The DeLavy House (Sandoval County Historical Society) is located at 161 Edmond Road and Hwy 550, Bernalillo. From I-25, Exit 242, go 1.75 miles west on Hwy 550. Turn north between the new IHOP restaurant and the west entrance of the 66 gas station and follow the gravel road.