DIRTBRO NEWS by Dirt Bro Bob October 25, 2012

SUE ME?????--- A follow-up! Well, what do you know-- Bob McWilliams, the subject of my 2005 editorial and once owner of the so-called TAAA (see below), is threatening to sue me for posting my opinion of what I believe to be his practice of the odious business of  pay-digs. I have news for Mr. McWilliams... we live in America and I've got the right to publish my opinion in an editorial. I have been an archaeology journalist for over a dozen years. I am a professional archaeologist now, and I still am willing to stand by my words. In fact, I believe in them even more strongly than when I wrote the editorial all those years ago. If you have not read the editorial, read it here and let me know what you think!  By the way, McWilliams sold off the TAAA moniker and is now flogging his digs more honestly as "Digging Texas"... still the same lame substitute for real archaeology... trust me, folks, but for what he charges you per day, you could be working at a world-class archaeological site with some of the world's best archaeologists--- true once-in-a-lifetime adventures.  Check out any major archaeology magazine and you'll see advertisements for some amazing digs, especially in the summer. Don't be a mullet, be a good consumer! A PLEA TO LANDOWNERS! Don't be ripped off by land-lease deals! The Gault site owners, once pay dig operators, sold their land to new owners... they sold just a piece of their land to Dr. Michael Collins, so he could study and preserve it.  Dr. Collins, a hero of American archaeology, donated the land to the Archaeological Conservancy and started the Gault School, which also supports volunteer opportunities. Preserve your sites--> They are your family's true legacies. Years from now, some of the best archaeological knowledge will come from sites preserved on private property. Our "What's in your backyard?" project will do test excavatons that will show you, the landowner, what should be looked after on your property. DON'T BE FOOLED BY PAY DIG OPERATORS!   Better yet, why not experience REAL Archaeology for FREE!! The Brenham Heritage Museum and I are putting on a 2-3 year public archaeology project that will allow you to assist in our investigations of some amazing historic and pre-historic era sites and learn what real archaeology is like! One of the 60 sites on private property we will be investigating is supposed to have been a campsite used by Custer's men! And it is all free! We love families and would like to see more landowners come by to check us out! NEW PROJECT Looking for VOLUNTEERS! Want to do some real Archaeology????? NEXT DIG DATE IS NOVEMBER 3RD MEET UP AT BRENHAM HERITAGE MUSEUM AT 8:30 AM ALL EQUIPMENT NEEDED IS FURNISHED BY US...!!!!  I have started a project with the Brenham Heritage Museum in Brenham, Texas. We are going on a hunt to find out just what is in the backyards of Brenham residents... we are planning a large series of controlled test excavations that could last for at least 2 years! In addition, we are seeking permission from the city to investigate two parks that are purported to have historic sites associated with them! MANY of you have written to me asking to volunteer for projects... NOW is the time to sign up for this exciting project. You can email me (click here), visit the museum website or give them a call for more information! You can sign up at the museum website, or you can simply show up on any dig day. Dig one time, or come back as many times as you please! Another GREAT Public archaeology project sponsored by a museum is YATES COMMUNITY ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROGRAM! Located in the Houston, Texas area, this project is sponsored by The Rutherford B. H. Yates Museum, Inc.  The Rutherford B. H. Yates Museum, Inc. (RBHY), has been the primary sponsor and supporter for the Yates Community Archaeology Program (YCAP) since its inception in 2001. Even though YCAP has conducted archaeological work for other entities in the Freedmen's Town Community (including salvage archaeology for the Freedmen's Town Association), most of its work so far as been in partnership with RBHY on RBHY properties. In addition, the historical home of Rutherford B. H. Yates now houses the YCAP historical archaeology laboratory. August, 2012 In other news... I have been working on an article for submission to American Antiquity, the premier archaeological journal in the US. The article concerns the work I (and my colleagues) have been doing at Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument in Fritch Texas. The work is based on my masters thesis mapping of the quarries at the monument. This has definitely affected the amount of time I can put into the website... but your letters tell me that you are still investigating  what's already on the site... THANKS! Still have about 10 new book reviews to post, and I'm still trying to work out a few more articles about topics you have asked me to write about.  Keep an eye on the site! Remember, if you want to help keep the site alive, please visit my eBay pages and see if there's something you might want... can't afford to keep the site up any other way, much less add to it! The surrent economic situation has got me very financially strapped!!! See my listings here. The Dirtbrothers website just celebrated its 12th ANNIVERSARY! Thanks for your support over the years!!!! We continue to support RESPONSIBLE collecting activities. Curiosity starts there... and when you are ready, we'll be here to direct you toward the facts about archaeology and teach you how it is done! The real adventure is in the practice of REAL archaeology. MAKE A DIFFERENCE, NOT JUST A COLLECTION! November 27, 2011 Posted two very relevant book reviews today. FINALLY published is the new revised third edition of Stone Artifacts of Texas! I also introduce you to the Panhandle Archeological Society, and their new publication dedicated to two important Texas archaeologists who passed away in 2001. Click the links in the sentence to be magically transported to the relevant reviews. Both of these books (not to mention the others in the review section) would make great gifts! Click here to see the latest Dirtbro eBay listings-- unusual things for unusual people! October 6, 2011 Finally posted Part Two of Robert Turner's excellent story of his backyard garden. This segment is about the Romans and a great read. Click here to jump to the new page. I'll be adding a few more pictures to the page, but the text is complete. ENJOY! Just put up a SIGNED copy of Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee  by Dee Brown for sale on eBay... click here ... a rare chance to own a signed copy of this IMPORTANT book! Someone's going to snap this one up, so check it out! (already have one bid, this AM) Do all of your holiday shopping with the Dirtbrothers! I may even auction off some of the only remaining stock of  t-shirts (less than 10 left). More items  posted for sale daily. Those of you who have sent donated items THANKS, but please do NOT send prehistoric items to me... I will not sell any prehistoric items ... they will be returned to you. My eBay name is bob4676. If you win any of the auctions and spend over $50, mention the dirtbrothers in your invoice and I'll send you a dirtbrothers bandanna--- that is till I run out of them--> only a dozen or so left. There will be no more printed! If your total order  is over $150,  you'll get a t-shirt, too. More very soon!  Bob September 7, 2011 I've finally set up a Facebook page (look for Bob Wishoff)--- I know you've been bugging me to do this... not much there to speak of right now... sign up as a friend! I'm not using it much yet... there's too much work for me to do here, on this website! I've posted a lot of new book reviews. If you STILL have not visited this HUGE section of the website, check it out! Lots of the questions you send me can be answered by reading a few good books! Shop eBay, HELP the Dirtbrothers and Get some cool stuff! I'm also trying to raise some funds for tuition payback and this website's maintenance-- if you eBay, check out my stuff...click here and you'll find the unusual items I'm generally putting up for sale. sometimes there's nearly 100 auctions. Right now, I've got some very rare books for sale--- Texas History and Mayan books that go back to the early 1900's. Be sure to make me an offer on items that have that option! I've got something for everyone, so buy someone you care about a great gift and help keep the Dirtbrothers website alive. NO PREHISTORIC ARTIFACTS ARE OFFERED FOR SALE! On another note, we survived the Spicewood fire here in Texas... whew... that was a close one! However, much sorrow for the many folks who lost their homes.   August 7, 2011 OK! I've been a little distracted lately... the economy has hit me hard (as I'm sure it did to many of my readers). Needless to say, I've made promises aplenty about stories and such I've planned to publish, but have not! Well, I'm finally kind of dug out of my financial hole (and some other hassles I'd rather not burden you with), and can get back to Dirtbrother business. In truth, I have a huge backlog of written materials to share with y'all... be patient my friends and it will appear here soon. In fact, the always announced change to this site will happen very soon! MUCH THANKS to all of you who keep urging me forward! Bob   as always, email me at bwishoff@austin.rr.com BY THE WAY: Got a note the other day from TIM TAYLOR, producer of the acclaimed UK archaeology series TIME TEAM ... He notes that the Time Team has a new video blog... it's very cool... check it out here: timeteamdigital.com Lots of room to work and write in the new garage. Here, Charles Swenson, Bob, and our contractor/designer Todd Homerding chat, write, and relax (photo by Chris R.L. Davis).

Dirtbrothers Road Trip
We Visit Bandolier National Monument!
(coming next)

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Robert Carneiro


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Above: Awesome near 4"
Andice surface find
from Spicewood Texas
 

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