Before we get started on wrapping up last weekend’s events, we invite and urge you to take time to let us know if you are considering attending the December 4–5 Alumni Weekend and Party of the Century by completing a brief questionnaire located here.
The Anthropology of Food and Nutrition kicked off on Thursday night with Steven Raichlen’S stalk, “Up in Smoke: A History of Barbecue,” a wide ranging tour of live fire cooking across time and geography. Steven entertained a crowd of over 300 people with images and stories of human evolution, culture, and travel and provided a great start to the weekend’s events.
Friday afternoon’s symposium, “The Human Appetite: A Symposium on Food and Anthropology,” was standing room only with participants cycling in and out. Talks by Associate Professors Maribel Alvarez, Mamadou Baro, and Ivy Pike; recent graduate Ashley Stinnett (Ph.D. Arizona, 2014); and graduate studentsVictoria Moses and Amanda Hilton were interesting and informative. Discussant Professor Mimi Nichter did an excellent job of tying the talks together.
The University Indian Ruin (UIR) fundraising dinner, held on Friday evening, was a one-of-a-kind event. Seventy-six guests had an opportunity to tour the Classic period Hohokam platform mound site, which was one of the largest villages in the Tucson Basin between A.D. 1200 and 1400 and played a significant role in the Hohokam settlement of this area. After the tour participants were treated to a Southwest-inspired dinner conceived and prepared by renowned Tucson chef, Janos Wilder. Janos marinated pork shoulder for four days before slow-roasting it for four hours at the UIR. George Gumerman (Ph.D. Arizona, 1969) was a wonderful master of ceremonies. Raymond H. Thompson, Professor and Department Head Emeritus, gave an interesting history of how the UIR became part of the University. Chef Janos talked about how he selected and prepared the meal, and Matthew Pailes, past Haury Dissertation Fellow, spoke about how gifts from donors made it possible for him to be able to complete his education.
The Festival on Saturday, held on the Arizona State Museum lawn, saw a steady flow of people throughout the day. Although no record of attendance was kept, about 30 people participated in the zooarchaeology tours in ASM and those represented only some of the people who visited the booths. Participants commented on the opportunity to make important contacts and connections. Attendees appreciated the opportunity to learn more about food in the southwest as well as anthropology. The tour of Tumamoc Hill with Professors Emeriti Suzanne Fish and Paul Fish. “Local Foods from Tucson’s Past” had eleven participants. Photos courtesy of Dana Osborne.
Looking Ahead: The University of Arizona Anthropology’s 100th Birthday continues on Tuesday, September 15, 2015, 4–7 p.m., with a Commemoration Ceremony. The ceremony will honor of the first day of classes held on September 15, 1915, in what was at that time the newly established Department of Archaeology. Information is available on the Centennial web page. (Original Digest publication date: 5/1/2015)
