UA Archaeologist to Reveal New Discoveries from the Ancient Civilization of Moundville

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama’s Dr. Vernon James Knight, Jr. will reveal his latest findings from the ancient civilization of Moundville during a Saturday, June 30 meeting of the Alabama Archaeological Society at the Moundville Archaeological Park.

The public is invited to attend the meeting, scheduled from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

“We’re very excited to host the AAS summer meeting,” said Betsy Gilbert, education outreach coordinator for the Moundville Archaeological Park. “I think everyone enjoying the program will be surprised at the new knowledge we’ve recently gained about Moundville’s prehistoric people.”

Organized in 1954, the Alabama Archaeological Society promotes the study of archaeology in Alabama and neighboring states, protects important archaeological sites and artifacts, encourages careful scientific research and excavation, and spreads archaeological knowledge through publications and biannual meetings. AAS members, both amateur and professional, participate in surface scouting, site mapping, excavation and preservation, artifact analysis, and site documentation and reporting.

Society members and guests will tour current excavations, the David L. DeJarnette Research Laboratory, and the Alabama Museum of Natural History’s Expedition archaeology camp. There will also be a special living history presentation about the Civilian Conservation Corps, an environmental program created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to remedy uncontrolled environmental exploitation and to provide jobs during the Great Depression.

“Another bonus to hosting this year’s AAS summer meeting at Moundville is that those attending will get a chance to see the Alabama Museum of Natural History’s Expedition team in action here at the park,” said Gilbert. “The annual Expedition, which began June 10, is one of the few archaeology camps in the country that provides a hands-on scientific field school to high school students and others interested in learning archaeological field techniques, lab procedures, and artifact identification.”

Knight, a UA professor of anthropology, is guiding the expedition’s archaeological fieldwork.

Bob Pasquill, archaeologist for the USDA Forest Service, will present his research on the Civilian Conservation Corps’ activities in Alabama during the 1930s through a special living history demonstration.

Pasquill is developing an extensive collection of the Corps’ artifacts, as well as a living history persona based on his study.

Registration for the AAS meeting begins at 9 a.m. at the Nelson B. Jones Conference Center at Moundville Archaeological Park. Admission is $2. Visitors may reserve, in advance, a prepaid box lunch ($6.50 per lunch) or bring their own lunch. Out-of-town attendees may camp at the park at the AAS meeting rate of $5 per night.

For more information or to reserve a lunch or camping space, call Betsy Gilbert or Monique Billeaud at (205) 371- 2234.