Dr. Staffan Peterson gives an archaeology presentation entitled “Pathways to the Past: Twelve Thousand Years of Prehistory and History in Yellowstone National Park” on Wednesday, January 7, at 7:00 PM. at the Gardiner School multi-purpose room in Gardiner, Montana. The program is free and all are welcome to attend.

Dr. Peterson is the Park Archaeologist at Yellowstone National Park, and is responsible for archaeological research and stewardship for Yellowstone’s 2.2 million acres. He has a PhD from Indiana University and 18 years of experience in the archaeology of the Great Plains and the Midwest, and has investigated both prehistoric and historic period sites. He is interested in prehistoric architecture and land use, and computer and remote sensing applications in archaeology.

Before coming to Yellowstone, Peterson investigated pioneer sites in Minnesota, Lewis and Clark campsites in Montana, large prehistoric towns in Indiana and Illinois, and many others. Dr. Peterson says “I love archaeology because it is the only way to give voice to past peoples and events that been unknown, lost, or ignored. I love parks because they are our best places, alive and open forever. Park archaeology combines my two greatest passions!”

The overall program, Cultural Perspectives of Land Use in the Gardiner Area, features expert speakers who cover land use from multiple perspectives, including Indian Education for All topics. The presentations are given during the 2014-2015 school year. After speakers engage students either in the classroom or on field trips to local cultural and natural sites, they present community evening programs.

A recent Humanities Montana grant partially funds the project. The school, YGM, and the Friends of the Yellowstone Gateway Museum have also committed funds to the project’s completion. Please call 406-222-4184, for more information.