The Great Plains Archaeology Podcast

In Episode 51 of the Great Plains Archaeology Podcast, Carlton is joined by new co-host Chris Johnston for his first appearance in the co-host chair, along with Douglas B. Bamforth and KC Carlson to discuss their recent Plains Anthropologist article, “House Structure, Cultural Connections Between Middle Missouri and Central Plains Communities, and Peopling the Ponca Creek Sites.” The episode explo...

What can archaeology tell us about the devastating smallpox epidemics that affected Indigenous communities across the Americas following European colonization? In this episode of the Great Plains Archaeology Podcast, Carlton Shield Chief Gover is joined by Dr. Alex-Garcia Putnam and Dr. Thomas J. Snyder to explore the archaeological evidence for historic smallpox epidemics. They begin by discussin...

In this episode of The Great Plains Archaeology Podcast, Carlton speaks with Chris Johnston, Operations Director of the PaleoCultural Research Group (PCRG), about his journey through archaeology and the importance of bringing the public into archaeological research. Chris discusses his path from his undergraduate program at CU Boulder, through graduate research on communal bison hunting at the Rob...

In this episode of The Great Plains Archaeology Podcast, Carlton speaks with Dr. Trevor R. Peck about one of the most recognizable, and often misunderstood, archaeological features of the Northern Plains: the “medicine wheel.” Drawing on his article “Unpacking the ‘Medicine Wheel’ Rubric,” Trevor discusses why archaeologists have historically grouped a diverse range of stone features under this br...

In this episode of the Great Plains Archaeology Podcast, Carlton welcomes Magdalena Lewandowska to discuss her article, “Trade, Conflict, and Alliance – Relationship Between the Southern Plains and the Rio Grande Pueblos in the Protohistoric Period.” Together they explore the dynamic relationships that connected Indigenous communities across the Southern Plains and the Rio Grande during the fiftee...

In this episode of the Great Plains Archaeology Podcast, Carlton welcomes Dr. McKenna Litynski to discuss her recent article, “Anthropogenic Burning of Small Mammals at the Early Paleoindian La Prele Site in Converse County, Wyoming.” While Paleoindian archaeology often focuses on mammoths and other large game, this study demonstrates how tiny animal remains can provide equally important insights...

In this episode of the Great Plains Archaeology Podcast, Carlton welcomes Dr. Spencer R. Pelton and Alexis Hollander to discuss their recent article, “Early Eighteenth Century Plains Indian Adornment at the River Bend Site, Wyoming.” Together they explore one of the largest adornment assemblages ever documented in Wyoming, examining locally produced beads and pendants alongside exotic materials th...

In this episode of the Great Plains Archaeology Podcast, Carlton is joined by John M. Lambert and Thomas J. Loebel to discuss their recent article with Dr. David Easterla, “Addressing a Gap in the Late Pleistocene Record of the Midwest: Fluted Points in Northwest Missouri and Southwest Iowa.” The conversation explores why this region has long been underrepresented in Paleoindian research and how t...

In this episode of the Great Plains Archaeology Podcast, Carlton speaks with Phyllis Johnson and Erica Carmody about their recent open-access (no subscription required) Plains Anthropologist article, “Patriarchy Persists: Gender Inequities in Plains Anthropologist Publishing from 1954 to 2023.” Drawing on nearly seventy years of publication data, they examine persistent gender disparities in archa...

In this episode of the Great Plains Archaeology Podcast, Carlton sits down with Robert Hoard and Zachary Day to discuss their recent article, “Ceramic artifacts from the 2019 excavations at the Tobias site, 14RC8 — evidence of local manufacture and trade at a Great Bend aspect site.” Together, they explore the significance of the Tobias site within Great Bend aspect archaeology and the broader anc...

Hey everyone! It is that time of year again: graduation events, graduate degree defenses, final exams, and the hacking of major collegiate learning platforms. So Carlton is taking a quick break, and we will be back with our regular scheduled programming next episode. Please enjoy this episode of the Ethnocynology Podcast, where Carlton was a guest. Links The Ethnocynology Podcast - Episode 34 The...

On this week’s episode, Carlton breaks down his recent Kansas Archaeology Month event at the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center, titled: Field Explorers: Archaeology Edition. Carlton talks about the events and planning leading up the event and the importance of science communication to younger audiences. Transcripts For rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork....

In this episode of The Great Plains Archaeology Podcast, Carlton speaks with Christopher Nicholson, Director of the Center for Digital Antiquity, about the role of digital archives in preserving and accessing archaeological data. In the first half, Chris introduces tDAR (the Digital Archaeological Record) and explains how it serves as a centralized repository for archaeological reports, datasets,...

In this episode of The Great Plains Archaeology Podcast , Carlton is joined by Aaron Brien (Apsáalooke), Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Crow Tribe, for a powerful conversation on history, memory, and responsibility. Grounded in Aaron’s experiences growing up with Crow oral traditions, the discussion explores how storytelling serves as a living practice, one that maintains relationshi...

On this week’s episode, Carlton recounts his recent trip to the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. The Fort Berthold Indian Reservation is the home of the Three Affiliated Tribes: Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara. While recounting his recent trip, Carlton dives back into Middle Missouri Archaeology. Transcripts For rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/great-...

In this episode, Carlton continues with a discussion on Myths brought to his attention from a listener’s email! But this time they’re not on Vikings but of alleged early Irish/Gaelic occupations from the Southeast to the Great Basin. Links The Archaeology of the North American Great Plains by Douglas B. Bamforth (2021) Archaeology on the Great Plains Edited by W. Raymond Wood (1998) Carlton's KU A...

Carlton is back on the mic after the holiday break to talk about the Moundbuilder Myth, the Kensington Runestone, and the Heavener Runestone. Are they legit? Well tune in to this weeks episode to find out! Transcripts For rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/great-plains-archaeology/36 Links Dealing with the Fringe: Archaeological thinking about everyth...

In this episode of The Great Plains Archaeology Podcast , Carlton sits down with Dave Williams to discuss the intellectual and professional journey that brought him from Mesoamerican archaeology in Oaxaca, Mexico, back to working across the Central Great Plains. Rather than focusing on institutional roles, this conversation centers on how archaeological training, regional perspective, and lived fi...

In this episode of The Great Plains Archaeology Podcast, Carlton is joined by Dr. Spencer Pelton, Wyoming State Archaeologist, to explore what some of the oldest archaeological sites in Wyoming reveal about Paleoindian life. The conversation focuses on two areas of Spencer’s research: the Powars II hematite quarry and Locality IV at the Hell Gap site. Transcripts For rough transcripts of this epis...

While the APN takes a break this holiday season we’re using this opportunity to present you with other great content on the network. Please enjoy this episode of And My Trowel! In this episode, Tilly and Ash have been tasked with covering holiday leave for the Norns, the weavers of fate, life and destiny from Norse mythology. However, there’s a problem they don’t have the first clue about weaving!...

Unscientific. Meandering. Silly. Actively ignorant. Super long and BRUTALLY boring. Yes friends, this book doth suck. Contact Pseudo-Archaeology Podcast with Dr. Andrew Kinkella The Archaeology of the North American Great Plains by Douglas B. Bamforth (2021) Archaeology on the Great Plains Edited by W. Raymond Wood (1998) Carlton's KU Anthropology Faculty Bio Instagram: @‌pawnee_archaeologist Emai...

In this episode of The Great Plains Archaeology Podcast , Carlton sits down with Michael Page of the Wyoming State Archaeologist’s Office to explore a lesser-known side of Wyoming archaeology, its rich and varied ceramic traditions. While Wyoming is often defined by its iconic Paleoindian kill sites, Michael’s work reminds us that the region’s history is far more diverse than the stone tools and b...

In this episode, Carlton sits down with archaeologist Amy Gillaspie to revisit their shared time working with the remarkable Jones-Miller Bison Kill Site collections at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. They begin by exploring the archaeological significance of Jones-Miller, one of the most important Paleoindian bison kill and processing sites on the Great Plains. Amy discusses the site’s h...

For this episode, Carlton discusses Prey (2022) with Jaquelyn Sparks. They dive into themes of the film, including likes and dislikes, beavers, horses, and a lack of trade goods. Both Carlton and Jacquelyn recently watched the film to get Carlton ready for his hour-long interview on the Screens of the Stone Age Podcast . Definitely check out Carlton’s episode over there to get a full dive into the...

In this episode, I sit down with Nebraska archaeologist Nolan Johnson to talk about his work uncovering and interpreting the state’s rich historic past. We begin with the Beaver Creek Trail Crossing, a site that offers a glimpse into the experiences of travelers along the overland trails and the material traces they left behind. Nolan shares the story of how the site was investigated, what artifac...