Curiosity in Community

Hello Alamo!

I’ve been kind of scrambling for a topic this week. The past 2 posts have been focused on events happening here, and as y’all know, I do love a theme!

I have blogged about Otero Arts before. Having an art space in this town is fantastic, and I think you should definitely check out their calendar for classes and galleries (also speaking to myself here)! But did you know they also had a lecture series?

The Jornada Research Institute is based out of Tularosa, and typically give lectures based on their research every month or so.

I’ve only personally been to 1 mostly because it’s extra-difficult to find a ride in the evenings, but I find history and archaeology based on everyday peoples fascinating.

The lecture I went to coincided with the winter solstice. Researchers at this institute found great kivas that perfectly lined up with viewing certain celestial events, which dated back to the latest 1450 CE when the Spanish first arrived.

I’m especially amazed with how ancient civilizations created systems that helped them thrive. For the longest time I had a picture from a virtual tour of Machu Picchu as my laptop background. The aqueduct system is so simple but so ingenious, for example. I’m definitely not of the mind that modern day science is inherently better; I just think it’s a bit more precise knowledge, but at times (the latest iteration being AI and datacenters) I seriously question the ethics of scientific knowledge for its own sake without factoring in its impact on nature and the creatures that call this planet home. As a millennial, I can’t help but think how true the warning of “your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could that they didn’t stop to think if they should” is.

I think the knowledge gained by studying how ancient civilizations lived *with* the land is invaluable.

The Jornada Institute since its founding in the early 2000s has been slowly piecing together how the Jornada Mogollan peoples structured their society and culture, and why they dispersed from the Rio Tularosa area.

The next lecture is on “rare basalt and granite ‘ringing rocks’ or ‘kiva bells,’ which produce clear tones when struck and are closely associated with rock art and ritual activity across the Southwest and northern Mexico.”

The presentation by Ron Barber will take place next Tuesday, April 21st, at 6pm at 1118 Indiana Ave. I hope to see you there!

Salud.