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Hello friends,
We won’t keep you in suspense—last month we teased the possibility of a summer solstice solar alignment at the Red Elk site. On June 20, the Shumla team arrived well before sunrise, cameras ready and hopes high. But the weather had other plans—it was cloudy.
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This must also have happened to the Archaic people of the Pecos as they were planning their murals. Sometimes the weather just doesn't cooperate.
Despite the overcast skies, the team was able to estimate that the shadow may align with the back of the large deer figure between 6:45 and 7:00 a.m. We’ll have to wait until next summer solstice to see if this intriguing alignment truly occurs.
The silver lining? Once the clouds cleared, the team captured stunning photos of the panel illuminated by sunlight and completed all the figure photography we had planned. Even without the perfect shadow, it was a successful and beautiful day in the field.
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So close...
Wishing you all the best,
Jessica
| | The field crew on June 20th included Shumla staff Diana Radillo Rolon, Justin Berry, David Keim and Shumla intern Mary Margaret Speed. Until... a welcoming butterfly decided to join the crew, helping to lift their spirits after the clouds obscured the possible alignment. | | The butterfly helped Diana keep her balance on the boulders above the deep sink hole as she held the photo board. Shumla loves a kind and hard-working volunteer. | | Hearthstone Project Featured in American Archaeology Magazine | | Texas archaeology takes center stage in the Summer 2025 issue of American Archaeology magazine, which features two major stories from the Lone Star State. The issue highlights the documentary film The Stones Are Speaking, showcasing the groundbreaking work of archaeologist Dr. Michael Collins at the Gault Site, and devotes a feature article to Shumla’s Hearthstone Project. | | |
Titled "Time Unfolds in Ancient Paint Layers," the eight-page article by Tamara Stewart offers an in-depth look at the Hearthstone Project—a three-year collaboration between Drs. Carolyn Boyd and Phil Dering of Texas State University and Dr. Karen Steelman and the Shumla team. The article beautifully weaves together striking images with a detailed exploration of the project’s methods and findings.
Stewart highlights the team’s innovative use of radiocarbon dating and their meaningful consultations with Indigenous elders. The project’s results are profound: dating some Pecos River style murals as far back as 6,000 years and confirming that present-day Native peoples still retain knowledge systems that allow them to read and interpret the murals. The article affirms the enduring legacy and significance of the ancient artists and the cultural continuity of their descendants. Pick it up! It's well-worth the read!
| | Sharing the Lower Pecos Legacy | | |
This spring and early summer have been full of exciting opportunities for Shumla’s staff, board, and interns to share our work with audiences across Texas and the Southwest. From academic conferences to public festivals, we've been spreading the word about the extraordinary rock art of the Lower Pecos.
Dr. Karen Steelman, Shumla’s Science Director, presented a research poster and co-authored a talk at the annual American Rock Art Research Association (ARARA) conference. She also co-taught a hands-on rock art recording workshop alongside Dr. Larry Loendorf of Sacred Sites Research and rock art specialist Laurie White.
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Executive Director Jessica Hamlin took to the stage several times this season. In April, she spoke at the Texas Lyceum’s second-quarter meeting, “Becoming Texas: The Cultural Crossroads of Texas Heritage.” In May, she gave three consecutive talks at the Daughters of the Republic of Texas conference in Odessa, where Dr. Carolyn Boyd—Shumla Founder and Endowed Professor at Texas State University—served as the keynote speaker.
Jessica’s tour continued in June with a presentation at the Agave Festival in Marfa and a presentation to the Center for the Advancement and Study of Early Texas Art at their annual conference in Dallas.
| | Meanwhile, Shumla intern Mandy Newport and a fellow anthropology student Sam Steele from Texas State University hosted an educational activity table at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin for Discovery Day, engaging children and families with fun and informative rock art-themed activities. | | Most recently, Jessica presented to educators at the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture’s Sue Rose Teacher Summer Institute at SMU—sharing the significance of Lower Pecos rock art with those shaping future generations. | | |
At every stop, we’re reminded how meaningful and energizing it is to connect with new audiences. Whether we’re speaking to scholars, students, teachers, or community members, each opportunity to share the story of the Lower Pecos deepens our mission and expands the circle of people who care about protecting this irreplaceable cultural heritage. We’re so glad to have the opportunity to inspire curiosity, stewardship, and support for the preservation of the ancient art of the Lower Pecos.
You can take part right from your home by registering and joining our monthly Lunch and Learn. Scroll down to learn how!
| | We'd like to extend our sincere thanks to J.C. Porter for the generous in-kind donation of a Sony camera and lens, along with a camera bag, cleaning kit, UV filter, 128 GB memory card, and battery pack from our Amazon Wishlist. This gift couldn’t have come at a better time. Our field team was thrilled to put the new equipment straight to work in the field. Your support directly enhances the quality of our documentation efforts—and we’re so grateful. | | |
On Wednesday, July 16 at noon (CT), join David Keim for an all new virtual Lunch and Learn!
Here at Shumla the heat of summer is a time for our staff to focus on work together in the office and lab. They often start to reminisce about the exciting and important fieldwork we do in the Lower Pecos. So at this halfway mark of our year we thought we'd show everyone what Shumla has been up to and let you reminisce with us.
For this lunch and Learn, join David as he recaps Shumla's adventures, research, and shares some of the results from 2025 thus far.
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JULY
Topic: Halfway There: What Shumla Has Accomplished in 2025
Presenter: David Keim
Day: Wednesday
Date: July 16, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM Central Time
Platform: Zoom
| | Your gift funds our skilled team, our vast archive, archaeological projects and educational programming. | | Another way to give to Shumla is through our Amazon Wishlist. | | | Our YouTube channel houses our Lunch & Learn presentations as well as other presentations Shumla has done online and in person. Get caught up! And share them! | | |
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