Bertha P. Dutton

Bertha Pauline Dutton (born in Algona, Iowa, on March 29, 1903; died September 11, 1994 ) was an American anthropologist and ethnologist specializing in the American Southwest and Mesoamerica. She was one of the first female archeologists to work with the National Park Service.

Life Early years Dutton was the only child of farmers Orrin Judd Dutton and Fannie B. Stewart.

As Dutton was serving as Hewett's administrative assistant, she convinced him that the museum needed more than archeology exhibits. She proposed that ethnology exhibits should accompany those on archaeology and Hewett agreed, promoting her to museum curator of ethnology in 1939.

Museum curator Hewett had hired her, along with Marjorie Ferguson (1908–2006), after he had trained both of them at the University of New Mexico. According to Fowler, "Both women spent their careers at the MNM as museum anthropologists, a specialization seen by some academic anthropologists as jobs best suited for women because, according to Yale University professor Clark Wissler, of their "natural housekeeping skills." But both made significant contributions to Southwest research in archaeology, ethnology, and history, while also educating the public." Dutton was curator of ethnology from 1939 to 1959, curator of interpretive exhibits until 1962 and head of the Division of Research until her retirement in 1965. In addition, Dutton taught the museum's television and adult education classes from 1947 to 1957 while remaining a research associate with the Museum of New Mexico until the end of her life. Meanwhile, in 1952, Dutton earned her PhD at Columbia University.

Her excavation projects included Chaco Canyon (Leyit Kin), in the Galisteo Basin (Pueblo Largo, Las Madres), and in the Salinas area (Abó). She also excavated in Mexico and Guatemala using her joint appointment as a research associate of the School of American Research (now School for Advanced Research).

Outreach efforts As part of her efforts to spread interest about anthropology and ethnology to the public, "she led 27 archaeological mobile and excavation camps for Senior Girl Scouts (aged fifteen to eighteen) between 1947 and 1957, introducing nearly 300 girls from throughout the nation to the anthropology of the Southwest". This program resulted in several of these young women pursuing advanced degrees in anthropology and related fields.

After retiring in 1965 from the MNM, Dutton was named director of the Museum of Navajo Ceremonial Art (now Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian), where she worked for ten years.

She died in 1994.

Selected publications Łeyit Kin, a small house ruin, Chaco Canyon, New Mexico; excavation report, 1938 The Jemez Mountain region, 1938 A history of plumbate ware, 1942 Excavations at Tajumulco, Guatemala, 1943 The Pueblo Indian world: studies on the natural history of the Río Grande Valley in relation to Pueblo Indian culture, 1945 Indian arts and crafts of the Southwest in the Santa Fe Indian Village, Chicago Railroad Fair, 1948 The Toltecs and their influence on the culture of Chichen Itza, 1951 Highlights of the Jémez region, 1952 Pocket handbook, New Mexico Indians, 1953 New Mexico Indians and their Arizona neighbors, 1955 Tula of the Toltecs, 1955 Indian artistry in wood and other media: an exhibition in the Hall of ethnology, Museum of New Mexico, 1957 Navaho ceremonies, 1958? An archaeological survey of the proposed Galisteo Dam and Reservoir, 196? Indians of the Southwest, 1961 Santa Fe area, 1962 Indian villages, past & present, 1962 Happy people: the Huichol Indians, 1962 Sun Father's way; the Kiva murals of Kuaua; a Pueblo ruin, Coronado State Monument, New Mexico, 1963 Friendly people: the Zuñi Indians, 1963 New Mexico Indian reservations and pueblos., 1964 New Mexico's Indians of today, 1964 Let's explore Indian villages, past & present. Tour guide for Santa Fe area, 1970 Navajo weaving today,, 1975 Indians of the American Southwest, 1976 The Pueblos, 1977 The Ranchería, Ute, and Southern Paiute peoples, 1977 The Laguna calendar, 1977 Navahos and Apaches: the Athabascan peoples, 1977 Navajo, Pima, Apache, 1978 Hopi, Acoma, Tewa, Zuni, 1986 Navajo, Pima, Apache, 1986 Myths et legends of the Indians of the SouthwestnBook I, Hopi, Acoma, Tewa, Zuni, 1987 Myths et legends of the Indians of the SouthwestnBook II, Navajo, Pima, Apache, 1987