Archaeology lecture: The Role of Gems and Minerals in the Pueblo Worlds A Palace Gem & Mineral Show event

As part of this year’s Palace Gem and Mineral Show, retired National Park Service archaeologist Frances Joan Mathien will deliver a special lecture, “The Role of Gems and Minerals in the Pueblo Worlds,” at 2 pm, Saturday, Sept. 24, in the History Museum Auditorium. Tickets cost $5 through the Lensic, www.ticketssantafe.org.

Mathien, a research associate for the state’s Office of Archaeological Studies, worked on the Chaco Project analyzing ornaments and minerals and was editor for many of the project’s publications. Currently she is researching the Chaco field schools held from 1929-1942 and again in 1947. Mathien will talk about how Native Americans in the Southwest used gems and minerals for beads, pendants and mosaics pieces; known sources for some of the minerals; possible trade relationships that moved goods between different cultural groups; and emerging CSI-like science that can “fingerprint” where a piece of turquoise came from.

“People have suggested that New Mexico turquoise is found all over Meso-America,” Mathien said. “But we haven’t tested any of it.”

Mathien has been working with colleagues at the University of Mantioba, a geochemist and a student, who are developing a new way to pinpoint the source of turquoise. The researchers are focusing on pieces found in Chacoan digs.

“Chaco turquoise came from more than one source – Nevada, Colorado, Arizona,” she said. “We’re not looking at a single source in the Cerrillos (mining) district.”

The Palace Gem and Mineral Show is a free event in the Palace Courtyard, 9 am to 7 pm on Friday, Sept. 23; and 9 am to 4:30 pm on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 24-25.

Exhibitors include Richard Kocurek of Bright Star Gemstones in Crested Butte, Colo.; Joe Dan Lowry, founder of the Turquoise Museum in Albuquerque;  Sandy Craig of Orca Gems & Opals in Littleton, Colo; Garrick Beck of Natural Stones in Santa Fe; Margot Guerrero of the Curiosity Shop in Santa Fe; Keith King of King Renovations in San Antonio, Texas; Philip Bove of Roadrunner Mining and Minerals in Santa Fe; John Scully of Scully’s Minerals in Fairview, NM; and Daniel Wade of Indian Jewelry Supply in Albuquerque.

The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, and the Ghost Ranch Museum of Paleontology will have educational exhibits.

Free lectures in the Palace Courtyard throughout the event:

2 pm, Friday, Sept. 23: Richard Kocurek, “Gemstone Inclusions: The Rare, Unusual and Surreal.”

11 am, Saturday, Sept. 24: Joe Dan Lowry, “The History of Turquoise throughout the World.”

1 pm, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 24 and 25: Sandy Craig, “Opal Cutting and Polishing Demonstration.”

11 am, Sunday, Sept. 25: Garrick Beck, “Fakery in Gemstones.”

2 pm, Sunday, Sept. 25: Margot Guerrero, “The Metaphysical Uses of Mineral Pigments for Artists and Collectors.”