National Park Service

 

Date of this Version

10-1996

Citation

Hopewell Archeology: The Newsletter of Hopewell Archeology in the Ohio River Valley Volume 2 , Number 1, October 1996

Abstract

1. From the Editor, Mark J. Lynott

We apologize for the delay in getting this issue of the Newsletter together. The government furlough put all of us in the National Park Service behind, and we are still trying to catch up. Despite the delay, we hope you will find this issue of interest.

The focus of this issue is on the value of archeology as an education tool. During the last three summers, the Midwest Archeological Center has worked with the Milton Hersey School in Hersey, Pennsylvania to offer high school students the opportunity to participate in an archeological project. This valuable experience (both for the students and for National Park Service archeologists) has been possible, because the organizer for the Milton Hersey School is also a former employee of the Midwest Archeological Center. I met Randy Farmer in 1983 when he enrolled with fifteen other students in a fieldschool we offered through the Department of Anthropology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The fieldschool was held at Ozark National Scenic Riverways in southeast Missouri, and most of the students were enthralled by the scenery and the thrill of archeology. Following that summer, Randy came to work at the Midwest Archeological Center on a part-time basis until he finished his B.A. in Anthropology. He then worked with us as a full-time employee, until he decided to return to school and fulfill the requirements for his teaching certificate.

2. The National Park Service and High School Archeology By Randy Farmer

I became a social studies teacher for three reasons. One, I believed in the importance of understanding and appreciating history and prehistory. Two, I believed in the idea that "hands on" and innovative ways of teaching were critical to the future of our young people. Three, I wanted to show more people the value of archaeological research in the world today. This article describes a program I have developed to satisfy my need to improve public understanding and support for archeological study and preservation.

3.Toolesboro Mounds, Iowa, National Historic Landmark Study

A recent study by the Office of the State Archaeologist of Iowa with the support of the State Historical Society of Iowa and funds provided by the National Park Service, has resulted in a new report on the Middle Woodland mounds at Toolesboro, Louisa County, Iowa. This report includes a history of the mound investigations conducted primarily by the Davenport Academy of Natural Sciences in 1875 and 1886, an analysis of the 89 extant artifacts from the mounds currently curated by the Putnam Museum in Davenport (successor to the Davenport Academy), and interpretations regarding mortuary behavior and related activities based on surviving archival evidence.

4. Current Research on the Goodall Focus

On August 23, 1996, Mark Schurr hosted an informal workshop on the Goodall focus at the Archaeology Laboratory, University of Notre Dame. The meeting was held in the recently remodeled laboratories and classrooms assigned to the archaeology program at the University of Notre Dame.

5. Reviews By Bret J. Ruby, National Park Service, Hopewell Culture National Historical Park.

Exploring Prehistoric Mounds on the Rix Mills-High Hill Divide: The Archaeology of the Wilds and Vicinity, Southeastern Muskingum County, Ohio. Jeff Carskadden, Jeff Brown and Gary Felumlee. Published by The Muskingum Valley Archaeological Survey, Zanesville, Ohio, in cooperation with The International Center for the Preservation of Wild Animals, 1995; 102 pp., 49 photographs, 10 maps, 4 tables, references; $20.00 (paper).

6. Meeting Calendar

Midwest Archaeological Conference, Beloit College, Beloit, Wisconsin, October 9-12, 1996, contact Robert J. Salzer, Beloit College, (608) 363-2616.

Southeastern Archaeological Conference, Sheraton Civic Center, Birmingham, AL, November 6- 9, 1996, contact Ian Brown, (205) 348-9742.

Society for Historical Archaeology Conference, Corpus Christi, Texas, January 8-12, 1997, contact David Carlson and Shawn Carlson, Texas A&M University, (409) 847-9248.

Society for American Archaeology, Annual Meeting, Nashville, Tennessee, April 2-6, 1997, contact Society for American Archaeology, (202) 789-8200.

Ohio Archaeological Council, Fall Meeting, Ohio Historical Center, Columbus, OH, November 15, 1996.

Ohio Archaeological Council, Spring Meeting, Symposium on Adena, Chillicothe Comfort Inn, May 9-10, 1997.

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