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Keynote Speaker at LAS Banquet, Dr Michael Waters
7 pm, February 25, 2012

Dr Michael Waters is a Professor and director of the Center for the Study of the First Americans at Texas A&M University. Dr. Waters specializes in Geoarchaeology (the application of the geosciences to archaeological research), Late Quaternary geology, and Paleoindian archaeology and the landscape setting of prehistoric agricultural communities. Dr. Water's keynote address will be:

In Search of the First Americans. this talk will focus on the need to create a new model for the peopling of the Americas. Genetic and archaeological evidence shows that people were in the Americas about 15,000 years ago. Based on evidence from the Debra L. Friedkin site, Texas, Manis site, Washington, and other sites in North America, these early people had biface, blade, bladelet, and osseous (bone) technologies. New evidence shows that Clovis originated south of the continental ice sheets around 13,000 years ago. The Gault site and the Hogeye Clovis cache site. both in Texas, are providing new insights into Clovis origins.

Lithic artifacts from the Pre-Clovis occupation at the Debra L. Friedkin site in central Texas.

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Louisiana Archaeology Month

October 1-31, 2011

This year marks the nation's commemoration of 150 years since the beginning of the Civil War. Louisiana is focusing on this aspect of history through Louisiana Archaeology Month 2011, as well as many other events. Archaeology helps call attention to the human side of Civil War history through artifacts and structures that the soldiers left behind, and it provides information that was not recorded by observers at the time.

Archaeology Month events give an opportunity to find out about archaeological techniques, recent archaeological work in Louisiana, and what they can tell about the people who lived here in the past. Although the Civil War will be an emphasis of Archaeology Month programs, many other topics also will be presented.

This celebration promotes an appreciation of the state's complex and diverse cultures. It also encourages the preservation, protection, and understanding of their legacy. At Archaeology Month events, archaeologists around the state will share results of their research through activities such as guided tours, talks, demonstrations, and special events.

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