Archaeology

When much of the West was still part of Mexico, John C. Fremont made his way across unmapped territory leaving a lasting mark wherever he went.

Naming the Great Basin and Pyramid Lake, Humboldt, Carson, and Walker rivers, and peaks and valleys in between, the explorer from South Carolina set out to give the land a new identity. Exploring the territory that included Nevada, California, Oregon and more, he mapped the West for the rest of the world.

To celebrate Nevada’s 150th anniversary of statehood, the Nevada State Museum in Carson City is exhibiting “Finding Fremont: Pathfinder of the West,” and hosting the John C. Fremont Symposium. The two-day series of lectures and presentations July 25-26 will examine how the famed explorer changed the face of America, the tools he used and the topographical and political lessons learned along the way.

Looking for summer activities for Carson City youth? Western Nevada College has added a College for Kids camp during the last two weeks of July.

Two weeklong sessions are available. Choose one class for one week at $56 per class; choose two morning or afternoon classes for one week for $90, or choose both daily sessions for $120 per week.

Many events are scheduled throughout the Silver State in the month of May. These Nevada 150 events help celebrate all things Nevada and bring awareness to the state’s 150th Anniversary of Statehood. The following are events held between May 2 and May 15.

Since the early 1980s, May has been a month for celebrating historic preservation and archaeology in Nevada. To kick off the celebration, there will be a monthlong Historic Resources Commission Scavenger Hunt in Carson City and other events around northern Nevada.

Organizations and agencies have maintained a long tradition to promote history and spread awareness of archaeological and historic preservation efforts throughout the state, encouraging both residents and visitors to explore and learn about Nevada’s significant archaeological and historical treasures.

Robert Ballard is known for his discoveries of the wrecks of the RMS Titanic, the battleship Bismarck, the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown and President John F. Kennedy's PT-109. The famous ocean explorer is the final speaker in this year’s Discover Science Lecture Series Thursday, April 3 at the University of Nevada, Reno.

CARSON CITY, Nev. — The story behind the giant footprints found at Nevada State Prison will be told Feb. 20 by paleontologist Gene Hattori.

Hattori, curator of anthropology and state paleontologist at Nevada State Museum, will be the featured speaker in the third lecture of a Nevada Sesquicentennial series sponsored by the Nevada State Prison Preservation Society.
His talk, “Fossils at Nevada State Prison,” will begin at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 20 in the Silver Oak Executive Conference Center, 1251 Country Club Drive, Carson City. It is free and open to the public.

The University of Nevada, Reno’s Department of Anthropology, in partnership with the Nevada Indian Commission and the Washoe Tribal Historic Preservation Office, is conducting an excavation at the historic Stewart Indian School in Carson City, Nev. The Stewart facility is a 110-acre historic district that is home to more than 50 historic buildings.

Carson City, NV – From the Carson Library and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Nevada, librarian-led summer programs and activities are over the halfway point and more than 1,500 community youth are participating. Summer reading pages for prizes, technology enrichments, video journalism and art clinics are among the most popular ways youth are spending time.

To help understand, appreciate, and protect Nevada’s rock art and archaeological sites,
Emily Middleton discusses early carved abstract rock art in the Northern Great Basin from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, June 27 at the Nevada State Museum, in Carson City.

Something very old is something really new at the Nevada State Museum. To celebrate Archeological Awareness and Historical Preservation Month in May, the Carson City museum’s Frances Humphrey lecture series hosts archaeologist Mark Giambastiani, who will share new Nevada discoveries of artifacts dating at least 10,000 years old. His presentation “Recent Rock Art and Archaeological Discoveries in Lincoln County” is from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 23.

"Virginia City and its Archaeology: A Thirty Year Overview" will be presented Nov. 15 by State historic preservation officer Ron James. The presentation features a discussion, artifact viewing and signing of James' new book, "Virginia City: Secrets of a Western Past," published by University of Nebraska Press in conjunction with the Society of Historical Archaeology. The event runs from 6:30 - 8: pm at the Nevada State Museum. (775) 687-4810 x237.

The University of Nevada, Reno, in cooperation with the Nevada State Historic Preservation Office, has sent a team of archaeologists to excavate the site of one of Nevada’s most important early hospitals. St. Mary Louise Hospital in Virginia City opened in 1876 and served the mining community until the early 20th century.

By Claudene Wharton
The Department of Anthropology announces the publication of a new book, “An Archaeology of Desperation: Exploring the Donner Party’s Alder Creek Camp.” The book is a collaboration between anthropology scholars from the University of Nevada, Reno and other academics.