MPPP Chief Archaeologist
Janet MacKenzie

       Recently named Chief Archaeologist of MPPP in early 2018, Janet oversees all archaeological and preservation activities of the Mesa Prieta Project.   As leader of the Preservation Program that includes recording, data preservation and databases, Janet has been instrumental in improving the scientific quality of preservation of the recorded data. 
      Janet hails from Saskatchewan, having moved to New Mexico in 2007.  She holds B.A. in Fine Arts 1972, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, CA; Hon. B.A. Anthropology 1976 and M.A. Anth/Archaeology 1980, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, CA, and is working on a Diploma in Cultural Resource

Management, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, CA. 
     She has done archaeological excavation and survey in Britain, Canada and Peru since 1972, with particular emphasis on fortified sites associated with a walled trade route on the continental divide in the northern Sierra of Peru.  
     At first a volunteer with MPPP,  she became Project Coordinator in 2010 and oversaw all MPPP programs and activities such as archaeological recording, coordination of some 100+ volunteers, grant applications, and educational programs, including the Summer Youth Intern Program for Pueblo and Hispano Youth.  The Summer Youth Intern Program is integrated with the adult recording program and, since 2013, returned to Mesa Prieta with the support of a local landowner.
       While serving as  Project Director from 2015 until 2018, Janet increased the efficiency, transparency and reporting of MPPP activities and worked hard to develop professional relationships and partnerships.  In managing preservation of project data, she initiated uploading all data to three professionally staffed servers across the nation making MPPP the first non-profit archaeological program in New Mexico to do so.
         In 2015, she was recognized with a New Mexico Heritage award for her work at MPPP both as a volunteer and in a leadership position.  Her award is in the category of Archaeological Heritage for "elevating the archaeological significance of the Wells Petroglyph Preserve and efforts to move Mesa Prieta into national heritage protective status."

      Contact Janet at:  [email protected]