El Camino Real International Heritage Center
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
29 August 2008
Media Contact:
Claudia Gallardo
575-854-3600
claudia.gallardo1@state.nm.us
WHAT: Lecture Series by Archeologist Mike Marshall, El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro
El Camino Real International Heritage Center will
sponsor a series of three lectures in the Fall of 2008 by the well-known archeologist and Camino Real scholar, Michael Marshall. Mr.
Marshall has completed extensive archeological explorations of the El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro in New Mexico and Chihuahua. The
lecture series will describe the archeological methods and techniques utilized in the exploration of the Camino Real, and will provide
a cultural-geographic overview of the trail system. The lecture series will also include a detailed examination of the famous Jornada
del Muerto section of the trail.
Mike Marshall’s extensive archeological explorations of the El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro in New
Mexico and Chihuahua include a study of over 400 miles of the trail system and identification of more than 150 associated cultural
sites. His archeological studies of the trail system are the most comprehensive to date. He is also the senior author of the book
“Rio Abajo: Prehistory and History of a Rio Grande Province”, which is an historical overview of Piro culture area in the Rio Grande
Socorro District. Marshall has probably seen and visited more of the Camino Real trail system than any other researcher, and has discovered
many important archeological sites. He intends to share his experiences and insights during his illustrated lectures at the Center.
Lecture
1: September 13th, 3 pm
Archeological Investigations of El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro
This lecture and slide presentation will discuss
the archeological investigation of the Camino Real. It will include descriptions of archeological methods and techniques utilized
in the exploration of the Camino Real trail system. The lecture will describe and illustrate the various physical expressions of the
trail, and will provide details about the types of archeological sites and artifact materials found along the trail. The lecture will
explore many of the recent Camino Real archeological discoveries. Detailed descriptions of many landmarks, paraje camps, road segments,
ruins, villages, forts, bridges and other cultural sites will be presented. Hand outs will include maps and a list of published archeological
papers and reports.
Lecture 2: October 25th, 1 pm
Place Names along the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro
This lecture will explore the cultural geography
and place names along the Camino Real. The lecture will describe the overall geography of the trail system, showing the route of the
trail and its relationship to the landscape and environment of northern Mexico and New Mexico. Various geographic subareas of the
trail system will be identified, and the place names of each area will be explored utilizing historic maps, dairies and other records.
Handouts will include historic and modern maps of the trail system showing its route and various place names.
Lecture 3: November
15, 11 am
Jornada del Muerto
This lecture will focus on the famous Jornada del Muerto section of the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro.
The Jornada del Muerto is one of three jornadas (long tracts which required forced marches) along the Camino Real between Chihuahua
City and Santa Fe. This lecture will explore the use of the Jornada del Muerto as identified in the historic documents and archeological
records. Maps of the Jornada del Muerto which show the various paraje camps and place names in the area will be provided, and discussion
of the cultural geography of the Jornada del Muerto will be made with slide illustrations of the various landmarks and cultural sites.
Educational programs and activities are made possible by El Camino Real IHC Foundation and Museums of New Mexico Foundation.
El
Camino Real International Heritage Center is a New Mexico State Monument operated by the Department of Cultural Affairs.
WHERE: El Camino Real International Heritage Center, 300 East County Road 1598,
San Antonio, NM 87832. Located on I-25 between Socorro and T or C, Exit 115.
COST: Event free with paid Monument
admission. Free admission for ages 16 & under.
Free admission for MNM and ECRIHC Foundation members. Single
adult visit, $5.
Opening its doors
to the public in November 2005 as the sixth addition to NM State Monuments, El Camino Real International Heritage Center commemorates
the oldest commuted trail in the United States. This trail, El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, is one of the most important legacies
of the Spanish settlers who arrived in New Mexico in 1598. This Royal Road to the Interior Land extended 1,500 miles between
Mexico City and San Juan de los Caballeros, in the Española Valley north of Santa Fe. El Camino Real became a vital trade route
linking Spain, Mexico, New Mexico and later the United States. As Interstate 25, the North-South trade route continues to foster
the exchange of people, culture, ideas and products in the 21st Century.
The Center offers fascinating, informative state-of-the-art
exhibits while taking a virtual tour along the trail from Mexico City to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Enjoy outdoor gardens, walking
trails, self-guided audio tour, and gift shop.
School groups free. Children 16 and younger free. Sundays
free for NM residents with ID. Wednesdays free for NM resident senior citizens (60+) with ID. Free for Museum of NM Foundation
and ECRIHC Foundation members. Single visit, $5.00.
Open 6 days a week, 8:30 am – 5 pm. Closed Tuesdays. Closed
Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and Easter.
EL CAMINO REAL INTERNATIONAL HERITAGE CENTER IS A NM STATE MONUMENT UNDER THE DEPARTMENT
OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS.
