This year a record number of archaeologists descended upon “the live music capital of the world” for the 72nd annual meetings of the Society for American Archaeology (SAA). In true Texas style, the conference offered a huge array of opportunities for archaeologists to present, discuss and interact with recent disciplinary contributions. With the sessions running between 8am and 9pm over four days, even the most diligent attendees could merely sample from the hundreds of offerings. This review serves to highlight just a few of the many excellent contributions this year, and some of the sessions that we are still talking about post-conference.

TEXAS ARCHAEOLOGY
With the largest amount of state and avocational archaeological societies in the United States, Texas’ archaeologists turned out in full force, presenting to the world their ongoing research, innovative practices, and preservation initiatives. In total, there were nine sessions specifically focused on topics of Texas archaeology, and countless other contributions distributed throughout general paper and poster sessions. The opening symposium of the SAAs was Borders, Boundaries, and Bridges in Texas Archaeology. Organized by Elizabeth S. Chilton, the session effectively combined varying perspectives within Texas Archaeology with wider issues that transcend the spatial boundaries and borders of Texas. Included in this session were papers ranging from Michael B. Collins’ What We Know and Don’t Know about the Earliest Peopling of Texas to Ramon Vasquez’ presentation on Mission Indians and Archaeology in San Antonio. Most poignantly, the session involved careful considerations of politics, ethnic identity, and fostering trust relationships in archaeological practice, local and federal law in Texas archaeology, and efforts in preserving Texas’ cultural heritage. Overall, one of the most impressive and innovative undertakings in statewide cultural heritage preservation is the Texas Beyond History Project presented by Stephen Black. The project involves the construction a Virtual Museum of Texas’ Cultural Heritage – an especially useful model for many of us to consider in our own regions (www.TexasBeyondHistory.net ).
FORUM
This year, the SAA Board of Directors sponsored the forum The Discipline of Archaeology which was designed to discuss the status of academic archaeology and to consider the many aspects ofdisciplinary autonomy and its consequences as possible (from SAA program description). The forum was organized by T. Price, M. Conkey, and V. Steponaitis and involved a panel of fourteen distinguished archaeologists in discussing the present state and position of the discipline in academia. The discussants presented and compared several models of archaeology within academia, such as archaeology as a separate department (Boston U) archaeology as a part of a multi-disciplinary program (Arizona State U), archaeology splitting into different departments and then being remarried (Stanford), archaeology institutes (Cambridge), etc. To this discussion, Lisa Frink presented a paper that posed a somewhat contrary position to the rhetoric of the discussant panel. In it, she addressed how the discipline can gain much from a situation in four-field approach programs, specifically in the mentoring of faculty and graduate students of color and women, which she pointed out has been successfully fostered by cultural anthropologists in many departments. With a spectrum of personal experiences, opinions, and preferences, the forum’s theme stimulated an especially lively discussion between and among the panel and audience. Surely this topic can and will spur continued debate for many years to come.

SYMPOSIA
Given the sheer volume of symposia at the SAAs, it is perhaps unfair to attempt a representative review here (view final program). Of the many dozen symposia, two particular sessions stood out. The symposia Habitus and History: Scale and Explanation in Deep-Time Archaeology organized by J. Robb & T. Pauketat, and Ancient Ancestors in Global Perspective organized by E. Hill & J. Hageman, both united a range of archaeological scholarship from varying time periods, specialty research, and geographical areas into engaging thematic and theoretical discussions. The design of these symposia worked well in communicating variations on particular focuses to a wide audience.

GROWING INTEREST and NEW AREAS OF EXPLORATION
The growing interest in forensic archaeology was again apparent at the SAAs, with the inclusion of two well-attended symposia, Forensic Archaeology: Defining its Structure and Applications (chaired by K. Moran) and Imperial Inspections: Archaeologists, War, and Violence, (chaired by R. Bernbeck, M. Starzman, and S. Pollock). In addition to these symposia, several related contributions appeared in general sessions and in an April 26th poster session, Bioarchaeology and Morturary Analysis. The positive reception to these sessions suggests an increasing awareness of archaeology’s role in addressing contemporary issues of genocide, archaeology in times of war, POW/MIA repatriation, mass-fatality destruction, and standard crime-scene investigations. Owing partly to media exposure, public fascination, and the post 9/11 climate, the growth of forensic archaeology fits well with increasing disciplinary attention to examining contemporary archaeology and archaeologies of the recent past. The SAA has been especially instrumental in supporting the development of forensic archaeology since 9/11(see SAA support ).
This year the SAA also continued with the relatively new Electronic Symposium as a presentation format. In this format the session papers were posted one month prior to the meetings instead of being read during the session. The advance postings allowed for the session to hold an in-depth discussion between presenters and the audience. Three sessions adopted the new format, The End of the Beginning: Explaining the Final Years of the Mesoamerican Preclassic, organized by C. Beekman and S. Houston, Ceramic Exchange and Stylistic Interaction Among the Ancient Maya, organized by J. Aimers, and Exploring Regional Variation in Prehistoric Mines & Quarries, organized by P. Topping and M. Brewer-La Porta.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
Several contributors honored the lifetime achievements of outstanding archaeologists. Sessions honoring William J. Folans, Anthrony E. Marks, R.S. Santley, Linda Cordell, Barbara Voorhies, and in memory of Andrew Sherratt, Paul W. Parmalee, and James Petersen were appreciated by all who have been influenced by the scholarship and legacy of these extraordinary individuals.
Finally, the fourth annual Ethics Bowl tournament was a huge success, due to the efforts of organizers Chip Colwell-Chanthaphonh, Julie Hollowell, and Dru McGill. Seven teams of graduate students participated from, Brown University, Indiana University, Michigan State University, Northwestern State University, University of California – Berkeley, University of Massachusetts – Amherst, and University of New Mexico. Congratulations to Brown University for taking home the 2007 bowl. Despite the tournament atmosphere all participants thoroughly enjoyed the experience, which provided a valuable opportunity to debate, discuss, and experience archaeological ethics collectively. The experience of preparing and participating in the Ethics Bowl is truly rewarding, and all 2007 teams strongly encourage our colleagues to consider forming teams for 2008 (Ethics Bowl information ).
The 2008 SAA meetings will be held in Vancouver, British Columbia, March 26-30. See you there!
Many thanks for feedback about the SAAs from faculty and graduate colleagues at Brown University, Cambridge University, UMass Amherst, UMass Boston, UC Berkeley, and University of Rhode Island.