Dr. Caven Clark, retired Cultural Resource Management Specialist for the National Park Service, will highlight the archeology of plants native to the Ozarks and the Buffalo National River. Dr. Clark will further illuminate how the science and art of recovering, identifying, and interpreting the significance of various historical plant species to our native Ozarks and the Buffalo.

Archaeology is more often associated with the discovery of tombs, temples, and palaces than with plants. Yet small and fragile plant remains can be every bit as valuable, if not more so, than large, permanent structures in providing information about human life in the past. During the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, archaeology fell under the broad umbrella of natural sciences, and by the start of the twentieth century, botanists, geologists, and zoologists were working with archaeologists to research a shared interest in the past. It
is only in the last 50 years, however, that archaeologists have truly realized the wealth of knowledge that can be gained from a careful collection and study of ancient botanical remains.

 In an effort to increase accessibility to this presentation, the public may also attend virtually through Zoom. Should you be interested in watching this presentation from the comfort of your home, please email Rodney Arnold, rodney.arnold@northark.edu for a link to join. 

Admission is free to the public.