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2005 Speakers and Events Archive
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December 15, 2005
Phillip Salkin: "The Kekoskee Phase"
For many years the late prehistoric period in southern and central Wisconsin (ca. 600-1200 A.D.) was associated with the Effigy Mound Tradition and the solitary site of Aztalan. The Effigy Mound Tradition was defined over time to include an ever longer period of time and a longer list of associated sites and artifact types. Gradually, the identification of the Oneota Tradition and its regional manifestations introduced more complexity to the picture. Beginning in the 1980's, excavations at a series of sites indicated the presence of another late prehistoric manifestation, the Kekoskee Phase. The Kekoskee peoples were horticulturalists who lived in at least semi-permanent villages, which were some-times fortified. Various traits link these people to cultures to the south and east. As the picture of the late prehistoric period in Wisconsin has become more complex, questions have arisen as to the interactions between these peoples.
November 17, 2005
William Volkert: "History of the Horicon Marsh"
DNR Naturalist Bill Volkert spoke about the varied history of the Horicon Marsh, the largest freshwater cattail marsh in the United States. The rich resources of this marsh have attracted people to the area ever since the end of the last Ice Age. Every major prehistoric Indian culture known to the upper Midwest has utilized or inhabited Horicon Marsh over the past 10,000 to 12,000 years. Due to its importance to wildlife, Horicon Marsh has been designated as a "Wetland of International Importance" and a "Globally Important Bird Area." Horicon Marsh is both a state wildlife area and national wildlife refuge. Bill Volkert began to develop the education program at Horicon as a seasonal employee during the first 4 years and eventually on a year-round basis since 1988. Over that period of time, he has conducted 2,500 education programs for an estimated 150,000 people.
October 20, 2005
Dr. Jeff Behm: "The Bell Site and Meskwaki Archaeology"
Jeff Behm received his Ph.D. in Anthropology (Archaeology), from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, in December of 1985, and has taught at UW- Oshkosh since that same year. Jeff spoke about the Bell Site and Meskwaki Archaeology in East-Central Wisconsin. The Meskwaki (also known as the Fox) migrated from Lower Michigan to eastern Wisconsin in the early 1600s. By 1680 they had established a major village (known to the French as the Grand Village of the Meskwaki) on the south shore of Big Lake Butte des Morts in central Winnebago County. Today, this village is known as the Bell Site. In 1990, in response to plans to develop the property, he began survey and test excavations on the site and found that there was much of the site still intact. Field work continued through most of the decade and greatly increased our knowledge of the Meskwaki occupation of this site.
September 15, 2005
"Ernie" Boszhardt: "Deep Cave Rock Art"
Robert "Ernie" Boszhardt is the Associate Director and Regional Archaeologist at the Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. The Driftless Area of Southwestern Wisconsin was occupied by Native Americans for nearly 12,000 years. This region harbors more caves and rockshelters than any surrounding area until one reaches the Ozarks. Archaeologists have excavated the floors of rockshelters finding stone evidence of occupation through time, and occasionally carvings or drawings that reflect an enigmatic part of the past. Recently, two caves were found that contained numerous prehistoric drawings, many of which are located beyond natural light. These depict birds, deer, bow hunters and abstract symbols. This slide talk presented an overview of the history of rock art research in area, and summarize the recent Deep Cave finds. Ernie brought copies of the book "Deep Cave Rock Art" for purchase by members.
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