This year during Kentucky Archaeology Month, staff were sad to learn of the recent passing of our former colleague, Tom Sanders, who retired from KHC as Site Protection program administrator in 2004 after 30 years with the agency. Tom started out as a staff archaeologist working on a comprehensive statewide archaeological survey. He subsequently supervised archaeological activities and education, worked with historic buildings and grants … Continue reading In Memory of Tom Sanders

  The Kentucky Heritage Council’s 36th annual Archaeology Conference is scheduled for Friday, March 1 through Sunday, March 3, 2019 and will be held at Northern Kentucky University. A block of hotel rooms has been reserved at the Hampton Inn and Suites, 275 Columbia Street, Newport, Kentucky. The rate ranges from $139.00 to $149.00 per night, depending on what type of room you prefer. If … Continue reading Save the Date: KHC Archaeology Conference 2019

That’s right, buffalo never roamed the fertile river valleys of Kentucky.  The large creatures observed by 18th century European colonists were not actually buffalo.  The name buffalo was mistakenly applied to these creatures by early colonists and has stuck ever since.  Scientifically speaking, buffalo (Syncerus caffer and Bubalus bubalis) are animals that live in Africa and Asia, while the large game animals of 18th century … Continue reading Kentucky: The Land Where Buffalo Never Roamed

I am an archaeologist who is fascinated by tools made from rocks. These tools are known by many names: arrowheads, axes, stone tools, projectile points, knives, spears, etc. Yet archaeologists will often use the term lithics, (i.e., lithic artifacts) when talking about them. Well, to paraphrase Shakespeare, a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.   Often called “arrowheads,” points like these were … Continue reading What are Lithics?

So, here is how this blog came about. My friend, Karen Stevens and I share the sentiment that one of the most important things archaeologists should do is to share our passion and knowledge with the public. To learn better how to do this, we recently attended a Public Archaeology Symposium at Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Indiana University, Bloomington. The keynote speaker was Dr. … Continue reading Nicole’s Definition of Archaeology

In 1999, in cooperation with Dr. Don Linebaugh and Nancy O’Malley of the University of Kentucky, conductivity and magnetometry surveys were completed of the site of Daniel Boone’s second Kentucky settlement (following Boonesborough) located near Athens, Kentucky, and known as Boone’s Station. This work, part of an archaeological field school conducted through the University, explored the nature of the station and how it changed through … Continue reading Discovering Boone’s Station

When I was a little girl, my granny, Sally Mae, had an olive green teacup she drank out of every single morning. It became synonymous with the first half of the day at her house; it was rare to see her without it before 11am. When she’d ask someone to “help me find my cup!” it was obvious which one she was talking about – … Continue reading Family History As Archaeology

Ever heard of a pawpaw? If not, you’re not alone! Even though some say it’s been “forgotten” the pawpaw was, and is, a pretty big deal. Why? Here are a few reasons! It’s the largest native fruit tree in North America and the fruit itself is the largest edible fruit in North America Pawpaw tastes like a cross between a mango and banana and can … Continue reading Pickin’ Pawpaws: Archaeology and America’s native fruit

What to do? The question many young people find themselves asking after they enter college. I asked the same question after my first semester of my freshman year. I knew I loved history and being outside so I thought a career in archaeology would blend these interests. It certainly has. My career in archaeology started in 1995 at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse. … Continue reading Meet the New Archaeologist, Jared Barrett, United States Army Corps of Engineers – Louisville District

Prior to conducting the cultural resource survey in 2007, Cultural Resource Analysts, Inc., had conducted archaeological investigations in the Lower Howard’s Creek Nature and Heritage Preserve intermittently since 1998. Archival research on the valley’s history was completed in 1998 and a pedestrian survey was conducted in 2001 to examine the visible cultural resources in the Lower Howard’s Creek Nature and Heritage Preserve. In 2002, CRA conducted a field school … Continue reading Archaeological Investigations of Site 15Ck478 at Lower Howard’s Creek