In this episode of the Great Plains Archaeology Podcast, host Carlton Shield Chief Gover takes listeners to one of the most significant Paleoindian sites in North America: the Hell Gap National Historic Landmark. Located in eastern Wyoming, Hell Gap has provided a treasure trove of archaeological insights into the earliest inhabitants of the Great Plains. Carlton explores the history of this iconic site, from its discovery in the 1950s to its designation as a National Historic Landmark, highlighting its importance in understanding Paleoindian culture. We’ll delve into the various Paleoindian components uncovered at Hell Gap, including artifacts from Clovis, Folsom, and other key traditions, and discuss how these finds have helped archaeologists reconstruct lifeways, tool technologies, and hunting strategies. The episode also features a history of the site’s excavations, from the groundbreaking early digs to more recent research efforts. Whether you're fascinated by ancient history or want to learn more about how sites like Hell Gap shape our understanding of the Paleoindian past, this episode offers a captivating look at one of the Great Plains' most remarkable archaeological landmarks.

Youtube: https://youtu.be/EvzAaRURSSg

Links:

 * Office of the Wyoming State Archaeologist Hell Gap Site Webpage [https://wyoarchaeo.wyo.gov/index.php/learn/wyoming-archaeology-awareness-month/project-a-day/56-september-1-hell-gap]
 * Hell Gap: A Stratified Paleoindian Campsite at the Edge of the Rockies Edited by Mary Lou Larson, Marcel Kornfeld, George Frison [https://uofupress.com/books/hell-gap/]
 * Hell Gap National Historic Landmark YouTube video by Wyoming SHPO [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogJ3zV6CsNY]
 * Archaeology Spotlight: Excavating Hell Gap YouTube video by University of Wyoming [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZELPZLbq5uY]
 * The Archaeology of the North American Great Plains by Douglas B. Bamforth (2021) [https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/archaeology-of-the-north-american-great-plains/archaeology-of-the-north-american-great-plains/4A64214086B2A3E69CA3F9AE3F11DBDC]
 * Archaeology on the Great Plains Edited by W. Raymond Wood (1998) [https://kansaspress.ku.edu/9780700610006/]
 * Carlton's KU Anthropology Faculty Bio [https://anthropology.ku.edu/node/183]

Transcripts

 * For rough transcripts of this episode, go to: https://www.archpodnet.com/great-plains-archaeology/05

Contact:

 * Instagram: @‌pawnee_archaeologist
 * Email: greatplainsarchpodcast@gmail.com

Affiliates

 * Motion [https://www.archpodnet.com/motion]

Hell Gap: A Window into Paleoindian Life on the Great Plains - Ep 05

In this episode of the Great Plains Archaeology Podcast, host Carlton Shield Chief Gover explores the fascinating Paleoindian period, focusing on the earliest known peoples to inhabit the Great Plains. These pioneering groups adapted to the Ice Age environment, hunting megafauna like mammoths and bison, and leaving behind some of the most iconic archaeological sites in North America. Carlton delves into the discovery of key Paleoindian sites, including Clovis and Folsom, which provide insights into the lifeways, tools, and migration patterns of these early hunters. This episode takes listeners on a journey through time, unraveling the mysteries of the First Peoples and the lasting legacy they've left on the Great Plains landscape. Whether you're an archaeology enthusiast or curious about the ancient history of North America, this deep dive into the Paleoindian period will captivate and inform.

Youtube: https://youtu.be/uHE45rdZ0GU

Links:

 * On Rehumanizing Pleistocene People of the Western Hemisphere (2021) by Bonnie L. Pitblado [https://www-cambridge-org.colorado.idm.oclc.org/core/journals/american-antiquity/article/on-rehumanizing-pleistocene-people-of-the-western-hemisphere/12C7497A190B02470A3F3324B0CBCD49]
 * Before Folsom: The 12 Mile Creek Site and the Debate Over the Peopling of the Americas (2014) by Matthew E. Hill [https://www-tandfonline-com.colorado.idm.oclc.org/doi/abs/10.1179/pan.2006.011]
 * The Archaeology of the North American Great Plains by Douglas B. Bamforth (2021) [https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/archaeology-of-the-north-american-great-plains/archaeology-of-the-north-american-great-plains/4A64214086B2A3E69CA3F9AE3F11DBDC]
 * Archaeology on the Great Plains Edited by W. Raymond Wood (1998) [https://kansaspress.ku.edu/9780700610006/]
 * Carlton's KU Anthropology Faculty Bio [https://anthropology.ku.edu/node/183]

Transcripts

 * For rough transcripts of this episode, go to: https://www.archpodnet.com/great-plains-archaeology/04

Contact:

 * Instagram: @‌pawnee_archaeologist
 * Email: greatplainsarchpodcast@gmail.com

Affiliates

 * Motion [https://www.archpodnet.com/motion]

The First Peoples: Uncovering the Paleoindian Legacy on the Great Plains - Ep 04

In this episode of the Great Plains Archaeology Podcast, host Carlton Shield Chief Gover provides an overview of the major cultural periods that have shaped the Great Plains' rich history. Starting with the Paleoindian period, we delve into the earliest known inhabitants, exploring their hunting practices and survival strategies in a changing landscape. We then journey through the Archaic period, marked by a shift in subsistence strategies and adaptation to diverse environments. As we move into the Woodland period, we'll discuss the introduction of new technologies and social complexities, followed by the Plains Village period, where agricultural practices and settled communities became more prominent. Carlton also introduces listeners to the concept of the Ceramic Period, which combines the Woodland and Plains Village periods, highlighting the evolution of pottery and other cultural developments that defined this era. This episode offers a brief look at the timeline of human occupation on the Great Plains, providing insights into how these periods are interconnected and how they have been interpreted through the archaeological record. Whether you're new to Plains archaeology or looking to deepen your understanding of these cultural periods, this episode offers a fascinating exploration of the region's past.

Youtube Version:

 * https://youtu.be/LvD3NQ4SQmM

Links:

 * The Archaeology of the North American Great Plains by Douglas B. Bamforth (2021) [https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/archaeology-of-the-north-american-great-plains/archaeology-of-the-north-american-great-plains/4A64214086B2A3E69CA3F9AE3F11DBDC]
 * Archaeology on the Great Plains Edited by W. Raymond Wood (1998) [https://kansaspress.ku.edu/9780700610006/]
 * Carlton's KU Anthropology Faculty Bio [https://anthropology.ku.edu/node/183]

Transcripts

 * For rough transcripts of this episode, go to: https://www.archpodnet.com/great-plains-archaeology/03

Contact:

 * Instagram: @‌pawnee_archaeologist
 * Email: greatplainsarchpodcast@gmail.com

Affiliates

 * Motion [https://www.archpodnet.com/motion]

Tracing Time on the Plains: From Paleoindian to Ceramic Periods - Ep 03

In this episode of The Great Plains Archaeology Podcast, we delve into the unique and diverse environment of the Great Plains, exploring how its landscapes have influenced human history and shaped the archaeological record. From expansive grasslands to river valleys and rolling hills, the Great Plains have been home to a variety of ecosystems that supported the lives of Indigenous peoples for millennia.

Youtube: https://youtu.be/S9D3JZbNPbA

Links:

 * The Archaeology of the North American Great Plains by Douglas B. Bamforth (2021) [https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/archaeology-of-the-north-american-great-plains/archaeology-of-the-north-american-great-plains/4A64214086B2A3E69CA3F9AE3F11DBDC]
 * Archaeology on the Great Plains Edited by W. Raymond Wood (1998) [https://kansaspress.ku.edu/9780700610006/]
 * Carlton's KU Anthropology Faculty Bio [https://anthropology.ku.edu/node/183]

Transcripts

 * For rough transcripts of this episode, go to: https://www.archpodnet.com/great-plains-archaeology/01

Contact:

 * Instagram: @‌pawnee_archaeologist
 * Email: greatplainsarchpodcast@gmail.com

Affiliates

 * Motion [https://www.archpodnet.com/motion]

The Environment of the Great Plains: Shaping the Archaeological Record - Ep 01

In this episode of the Great Plains Archaeology Podcast, host Carlton Shield Chief Gover takes you on a journey through the diverse and fascinating world of the animals that have roamed the Great Plains for thousands of years. From mighty bison herds to elusive prairie dogs, the animals of the Plains have played an essential role in the lives of Indigenous peoples, shaping their cultures, diets, and spiritual practices. We'll explore how these creatures have influenced the archaeological record, offering clues to past lifeways and helping us better understand the deep connection between humans and the natural world. This episode also highlights the significance of key species in Plains ecology and their impact on the landscape.

Youtube: https://youtu.be/llKpPcN1z20

Links:

 * Organization of bison hunting at the Pleistocene/Holocene transition on the Plains of North America by KC Carlson & Leland Bement (2013) [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/257453677_Organization_of_bison_hunting_at_the_PleistoceneHolocene_transition_on_the_Plains_of_North_America]
 * American Serengeti: The Last Big Animals of the Great Plains by Dan Flores (2016) [https://kansaspress.ku.edu/9780700622283/]
 * The Archaeology of the North American Great Plains by Douglas B. Bamforth (2021) [https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/archaeology-of-the-north-american-great-plains/archaeology-of-the-north-american-great-plains/4A64214086B2A3E69CA3F9AE3F11DBDC]
 * Archaeology on the Great Plains Edited by W. Raymond Wood (1998) [https://kansaspress.ku.edu/9780700610006/]
 * Carlton's KU Anthropology Faculty Bio [https://anthropology.ku.edu/node/183]

Transcripts

 * For rough transcripts of this episode, go to: https://www.archpodnet.com/great-plains-archaeology/02

Contact:

 * Instagram: @‌pawnee_archaeologist
 * Email: greatplainsarchpodcast@gmail.com

Affiliates

 * Motion [https://www.archpodnet.com/motion]

Animals of the Great Plains - Ep 02

Welcome to the inaugural episode of "The Great Plains Archaeology Podcast." Join your host, Carlton Shield Chief Gover, as he sets the stage for an immersive journey through the heart of North America's Great Plains. In this introduction, discover what this podcast is all about and what you can expect in the episodes to come. He'll delve into the latest archaeological discoveries, explore past cultures, and uncover the historical insights that shape our understanding of this vast and storied region. From ancient artifacts to the echoes of Indigenous civilizations, get ready to be transported to the hidden past of the Great Plains. Whether you're an archaeology enthusiast, history buff, or simply a curious mind, this episode will whet your appetite for the fascinating stories waiting to be unearthed. Tune in and start exploring the mysteries of the Great Plains with Carlton.

Links:

 * The Archaeology of the North American Great Plains by Douglas B. Bamforth (2021) [https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/archaeology-of-the-north-american-great-plains/archaeology-of-the-north-american-great-plains/4A64214086B2A3E69CA3F9AE3F11DBDC]
 * Archaeology on the Great Plains Edited by W. Raymond Wood (1998) [https://kansaspress.ku.edu/9780700610006/]
 * Carlton's KU Anthropology Faculty Bio [https://anthropology.ku.edu/node/183]

Contact:

 * Instagram: @‌pawnee_archaeologist
 * Email: greatplainsarchpodcast@gmail.com

Introducing the Plains Archaeology Podcast

Join Professor Carlton Shield Chief Gover on an immersive journey through the heart of North America's Great Plains as we uncover the rich and fascinating histories buried beneath the prairie. In each episode, we delve into the latest archaeological discoveries, past cultures, and historical insights that shape our understanding of this vast and storied region. From ancient artifacts to the echoes of Indigenous civilizations, "The Great Plains Archaeology Podcast" brings you closer to the hidden past of the Great Plains, revealing the stories of the people who once called this land home. Whether you're an archaeology enthusiast, history buff, or curious mind, tune in to explore the mysteries of the Great Plains with us.