From the Woods to the Farm: Transformations in the Central Plains - Ep 16

In this episode of The Great Plains Archaeology Podcast, we examine the shift from the Late Plains Woodland Period to the emergence of the Early Plains Village tradition in the Central Plains. We explore the changes in settlement patterns, subsistence strategies, and social organization that accompanied this transition, from increased maize agriculture to the development of more permanent villages. What drove these transformations, and how did they set the foundation for later Central Plains societies? Join us as we unpack the archaeological evidence and discuss what this pivotal period reveals about the resilience and adaptability of Plains communities.

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 Anthropology Faculty Bio

Contact:

• Instagram: @‌pawnee_archaeologist

• Email: greatplainsarchpodcast@gmail.com

Affiliates

• Motion

Plains Woodland Pathways: Kansas City Hopewell - Ep 15

In this episode of The Great Plains Archaeology Podcast, we explore the Plains Woodland Period and the vast networks that connected the Great Plains to the Midwest and Southeast. Focusing on the Kansas City Hopewell, we examine the evidence for long-distance exchange, ceremonial traditions, and social ties that linked Plains communities with broader cultural movements. We also discuss Late Woodland feasting events and their role in setting the stage for later interactions with Mississippian cultures. Join us as we uncover how these early connections shaped the cultural landscape of the Plains before the rise of the Mississippian world.

Links and Sources:

• Early Maize (Zea mays) in the North American Central Plains: The Microbotanical Evidence by Adair et al. in American Antiquity 87(2) pp. 333-351 (2022)

• Late Woodland feasting and social networks in the lower Missouri River region by Brad Logan in North American Archaeologist 43(3) pp. 184-229 (2022)

• Modeling Kanas City Hopewell Developments and Regional Social Interactions: A Multisite Ceramic Analysis and New AMS Radiocarbon Ages Midcontinental Journal of Archaeology 44(1) pp. 2-41 (2019)

• 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

Transcripts

• For a transcript of this episode, tap the Zencastr icon on in the upper left corner of the Podcast image.

Contact:

• Instagram: @‌pawnee_archaeologist

• Email: greatplainsarchpodcast@gmail.com

Affiliates

• Motion

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

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)

• Archaeology on the Great Plains Edited by W. Raymond Wood (1998)

• Carlton's KU Anthropology Faculty Bio

Transcripts

• Segment 01

• Segment 02

Contact:

• Instagram: @‌pawnee_archaeologist

• Email: greatplainsarchpodcast@gmail.com

Affiliates

• Motion