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Volume 7, Number 4 |
June 2015 |
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Meet Shumla Again...
For the First Time
Welcome eNews Readers,
Many of you know us well and have been with us from the beginning -- way back in 1998. Others are finding Shumla for the first time and wondering, 'what is this place all about.'
In this issue of the Shumla eNews, we'd like to reintroduce ourselves. Join us and meet Shumla again... for the first time.
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Our Story
The story of Shumla began over 4,000
years ago when the ancient inhabitants of the Lower Pecos Canyonlands began to paint their sophisticated myths and beliefs
on the limestone canyon walls.
In 1998, artist-turned-archaeologist Dr. Carolyn Boyd, who recognized the incredible value of the ancient art, founded an organization to preserve, study and share this important cultural record. Since then, Shumla has been a center of archaeological research, heritage preservation, community outreach and education for students of all ages. |
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Our Mission
Preserving the oldest 'books' in North America Like a book, each ancient mural in the Lower Pecos Canyonlands was authored and composed to communicate beliefs and ideas. The paintings are not just lovely to look at. They are visual narratives that hold meaning and information. They were created by intelligent and creative people, like us, to share their stories and culture with one another. And now, thousands of years later, we are learning to read them. These 'books' will allow scholars to fill in gaps and add new chapters to the prehistory of North America. At Shumla, we work to preserve and share this 'library' of painted texts and the information they hold through documentation, research, stewardship and education.
- Documentation: Recording the Fragile Artwork
We use the latest technological advances to document each painted narrative as a whole and each figure and line within it individually, creating an exhaustive searchable database that can be used by researchers for years to come, long after the paintings have disappeared.
- Research: Unraveling the Mural's Mysteries
We painstakingly study the data we collect to learn how the paintings were produced and to decipher the meaning of the images and the act of creating them. Our cutting-edge research will illuminate long-lost myths and beliefs, adding new chapters to North American pre-history.
- Stewardship: Encouraging Interest and Awareness
Many murals are located on private property. We teach landowners how to protect the art on their land. We collaborate with them to access and document the murals in a respectful and un-intrusive way. We also increase overall awareness of the art to engage others in its protection.
- Education: Connecting to Our Shared Past
We open this remote region and its cultural treasure trove to visitors, volunteers, students, teachers, and researchers from around the world. We collaborate on exhibits, publish and present our findings and make our data, results and methods available to all.
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The Shumla Board of Directors
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Our Vision
The Board of Directors and Staff of Shumla hope to facilitate a future where:
- The ancient paintings of the Lower Pecos Canyonlands continue to inspire awe, enjoyment, and scholarship into perpetuity.
- The library of information contained in the oldest 'books' in North America is available to all.
- Shumla is a global leader in rock art research and education, collaborating with partners, across disciplines and internationally.
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Help us preserve the oldest 'books' in North America
Your donation will go directly toward our research and education initiatives.
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Shumla Wish List
Thank you to all who have donated items from our Wish List in the past. We value your help so deeply. Each gift, each dollar, each small or large item makes a difference in our ability to do our work. Your support means the world to us.
Thank you!
When you sign up, Amazon will donate a small portion (0.5%) of your purchase amount to the non-profit of your choice (Hint: Starts with an "Sh" and ends with a "umla"). Thanks!
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Shumla Archaeological Research & Education Center
PO Box 627 / 148 Sanderson / Comstock, TX 78837 USA
enews@shumla.org 432-292-4848 www.shumla.org
Shumla eNews is a free eNewsletter published by Shumla.
Copyright ? 2015 by Shumla. All Rights Reserved.
Article submissions, questions and comments can be sent to: jlee@shumla.org
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