- Are natural disasters visible in the archaeological record?
- Yes! Foods, droughts, and earthquakes are only a few examples of natural disasters that leave an archaeological footprint. Archaeology can reveal how people dealt with the aftermath. Think Pompei or the 1905 Snyder tornado!
- Where do artifacts go after a project?
- Before any professional project occurs, archaeologists must have an agreement with a repository, or a place that curates collections and makes them accessible to archaeologists, descendent communities, and the public. In Oklahoma, this is typically the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History. Artifacts can also be returned to descendant communities.
- How do archaeologists get permission for fieldwork?
- Archaeologists typically ask permission for surveys and excavations from landowners, government agencies, tribal nations, and/or descendant communities.
- What are examples of well-known archaeological sites in Oklahoma?
- Oklahoma has a rich and diverse history that has left behind thousands of archaeological sites, but several well-known locations include Spiro Mounds, a Mississipian site made by the ancestors of Caddoan-speaking peoples, and Honey Springs Battlefield, the location of the largest Civil War battle in Oklahoma. For more information about history across the state, visit the Oklahoma Historical Society’s website.
- What are some potential challenges archaeologists could face in Oklahoma?
- Some of the biggest challenges are dealing with extreme weather conditions or knowing who to contact for fieldwork permissions.
Back to the Future: Chase Kahwinhut Earles and the Philosophy of Balance
By Claire Nicholas and Ella Crenshaw Am I an activist? Sure, but aren’t we all? I have been told that