July 13, 2017

The meeting was held at Casa Maria’s and called to order by President Nick Morgan at 7pm.

Nick read the minutes from the May meeting and they were approved on a motion by Elliot Richmond, seconded by May Schmidt.

Treasurer Jonelle Chapman was out of town and not able to attend the meeting but submitted her report online.

Secretary Robin Matthews recommended a book, “Almost Human” by Lee Berger and John Hawks published by National Geographic 2017. It details the interesting story of the Rising Star caves in the Cradle of Mankind north of Johannesburg, South Africa. Robin recalled to the membership that TvCAS met at ACC campus with some ACC anthropology-archeology professors and heard a presentation from K. Lindsay (Eaves) Hunter who was one of the original six “underground astronauts” that entered the chamber of the cave that held fossils of the newly discovered hominin “homo naledi.”

Pictures from the 2017 Field School were shown by Robin Matthews, Ron Ralph, and videos by Nick Morgan. These gave a great overview of the activities during Field School at Camp Wood-Barksdale, Texas.

May Schmidt announced that TvCAS archives, currently held by Carolyn Spock, will now be housed at the Austin History Center.

Robin announced that he has been in contact with a Boy Scout leader about helping a Bastrop scout group earn their archeology merit badge. The plan is to involve them in “hands-on” activities at the Joyful Horse site near Bastrop.

May mentioned that TvCAS has successfully had a table at a Boy Scout meeting and will do so again this year.

Visitor Sarah Chesney was recognized. She attended Field School and is a trained archeologist.

The food bill, including tip, was $225.68 and the money contributed in the “hat” was $240.00. So there was an excess of $14.32 which will go in the TvCAS Treasury.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:25pm.

Submitted by Secretary Robin Matthews