1/12/2010
PARKERSBURG, W.Va. – What is the real history of man in the Wood County area? A lecture series, “From Mammoths to Maize: Human Colonization of the Mid-Ohio Valley,” is scheduled at the Blennerhassett Island Museum of Regional History over the course of four Thursday afternoons in February, according to Pam Salisbury. “If you enjoy ancient history, the Blennerhassett Museum and Friends of Blennerhassett invite you to attend this upcoming four-week winter lecture series.
Over the past century, archaeologists have uncovered the fascinating story of one of humankind’s most epic adventures – the discovery and peopling of the North and South American continents. This saga began at least 13,000 years ago and possibly even earlier when much of North America was covered by the immense continental glaciers of the last (Wisconsin) ice age. The lectures will cover the human story through the eyes of five archaeologists who all have had firsthand experience excavating various sites covering the full range of human existence here in the Ohio Valley.
Lecture dates are Feb. 4, 11, 18 and 25 from 1 - 3 p.m. Speakers include:
· Feb. 4: Dr. Bradley T. Lepper, Curator of Archaeology at the Ohio Historical Society, who will talk about the initial peopling of this area in what is termed the “Paleo Period.”
· Feb. 11: C. Michael Anslinger, Senior Vice-President at Cultural Resource Analysts, Inc. of Hurricane, W.Va., will cover the Archaic Period; that time of major adjustment in life styles following the glacial epoch.
· Feb. 18: Wesley Clarke, archaeologist at the Ohio Department of Transportation in Marietta, Oh., will discuss the Hopewell mound builder phenomenon with special emphasis on the mounds and earthworks located in Marietta, Oh.
· Feb. 25: Dr. Jarrod Burkes, Director of Archaeological Geophysics at Ohio Valley Archaeology, Inc., in Columbus, Ohio, will discuss the Historic period of archaeology focusing on his remote sensing and excavation work done on Blennerhassett Island.
Dr. Jerrel C. Anderson, chairman of the Archaeology Committee for the Blennerhassett Historical Foundation, Inc., and past president of the West Virginia Archaeological Society, also will speak at each lecture session. His topics will cover two excavations he led on “archaic period” sites located within the Parkersburg city limits, the early mound builder period, the Mississippian period, and what life was like for an archaic period American Indian. Dr. Anderson will also lead a tour and discussion of the famous Henry Stahl Collection of local American Indian artifacts on display in the Blennerhassett Museum’s lower level.
The lectures will be offered at the Blennerhassett Museum of Regional History located at the corner of 2nd and Juliana streets in downtown Parkersburg, W.Va., on each Thursday during February. The sessions will begin at 1 p.m. and end at 3 p.m. with a short intermission and light refreshments served between each of the hour-long segments. The cost for the entire four-week lecture series is $20 for members (Friends of Blennerhassett & Friends of the Museum – Campus Martius) and $25 for non-members. To register for this lecture series or to obtain more information, please contact the Blennerhassett Museum of Regional History at 304-420-4800.
Contact Information
Ray Swick
304-420-4800