POSTPONED! Pikes Peak Chapter of the Colorado Archaeological Society Program

The Midwest is sometimes referred to as “flyover country” – a somewhat pejorative term for states that are only worth seeing out the window of a plane.

However, when it comes to archaeology, the reference is misleading. In fact, the archaeology in this part of the U.S. can be very thought-provoking. This presentation showcases a selection of state and national parks in the heart of “flyover country” that provide opportunities to see archaeology along the Mississippi River.

We’ll survey the who, when, and where of various people who lived and traded along the Mississippi River. We start at the river’s headwaters in Minnesota to appreciate how geography affects what archaeologists are able to examine today.

Next, we look at what is known about the mound and village sites created by the prehistoric people of the Woodland and Mississippian cultures. We end with a history narrative about the Natchez Trace in the early 1800’s. Our survey covers a large time span from about AD 200 to the early 1800’s.

About the speaker: Bonnie J. Moser

Bonnie J. Moser’s interest in archaeology stems from her two-year teaching stint in Ghana, West Africa. This opportunity sparked an interest in cultural anthropology, which grew to encompass Southwestern archaeology.

During her 30-year career as a physicist in the aerospace industry, Moser began hiking canyons in the Southwest, honed her photography skills, and began reading intensively about archaeology in the U.S. Southwest, Plains, and Midwest – activities she continues to pursue today. Moser is a PAAC Scholar (Program for Avocational Archaeological Certification) and is a member of the American Rock Art Research Association, Colorado Archaeological Society, and Utah Rock Art Research Association. She is a frequent speaker at Pikes Peak Chapter/CAS.