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The 'State' of Plains Archaeology

This page provides links to web offerings from the different states that comprise the US Great Plains region. Some states seem to offer more by way of web pages on regional archaeology than others. If you happen to know of any page or site that might add to the contents of this page and is not listed here, please inform the webmaster.

Map of the U.S. and lower parts
of Canada: A yellow area highlights the middle of the U.S., going into Canada (included are parts of Texas,
Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, Wyoming, South Dakota, Notrh Dakota Montana, Minnesota, Manitoba,
Saskatchewan, and Alberta

South Dakota

University of South Dakota Archaeology

http://www.usd.edu/anth

In my opinion, the best site on Plains Archaeology resources! The material presented here is comprehensive, lucid and current. Pages are well-formatted with good, appropriate graphics which complement the text well. Strongly recommended both for the beginner and the expert in archaeology. There is enough material here for everyone, and then some! You can even search the site if you are in a hurry.

People and the Environment of the Northern Great Plains

http://www.usd.edu/anth/epa/index.html

People have adjusted to the environment of the northern Great Plains and Prairies of North America. You will find out that even the first peoples were affected by the climate. We can learn from their lives. You will see that some of the same factors that influenced the lives of these ancient peoples still affect the lives of Plains people today. You will also see that the activities of the people who now live on the Plains sometimes are harmful to the very environment in which people live. Detailed information on the history, landscape, climate and biology of the Great Plains.

Archaeology Laboratory, Augustana College, Sioux Falls

http://www.augie.edu/archlab/archlab.html/ALAC

Good information on some of the more important archaeological sites in South Dakota like the Lange/Ferguson and the Ray Long sites. Visit the Archeodome - the new educational and research facility at the Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village, Mitchell, SD. Museology students and others will like the section on Museum design and display.

State of South Dakota - Tourism

http://www.state.sd.us/state/executive/tourism/tourism.html

Click on the map of South Dakota to explore the four geological regions of the state - Black Hills, Badlands, and Lakes region, Great Lake region, Glacial Lakes and Prairies region, and Dakota Heritage and Lakes region. Textual information is of a high standard and the graphics are vibrant. Detailed information and links on Native American issues.

State Archaeological Research Center, South Dakota

http://www.sdsmt.edu/wwwsarc/

Another good site for information on South Dakota archaeology. The graphics are good as is the text. Information about current projects and some of the more well-known archaeological sites in South Dakota is available.

Nebraska

Sand Hills of Nebraska

http://ianrwww.unl.edu/sandhill/sandwww.htm

A delightful and information-filled presentation on the history and legacy of the region and its people. Materials range from information on the prehistoric peoples of the Sandhills region through the ranching legacy. An especially beautiful wetlands pictorial will captivate students. A well organized bibliography of more than 1250 items is also available.

Department of Anthropology - University of Nebraska-Lincoln

http://www.unl.edu/anthro/Homepage.html

The standard anthropology department homepage. Links to the National Parks Service Midwest Archaeological Center and to the journal Nebraska Anthropologist are of especial interest.

Manitoba

Manitoba Archaeology - An Overview

http://www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/arts/anthropology/Manitoba/overview.html

An overview of the prehistory of Manitoba. While the page concentrates on the Manitoba region, there is some excellent information on the different cultural stages in American archaeology, ranging from Paleoindian to Post-Contact supported by good graphics.

Manitoba Archaeological Heritage

http://www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/arts/anthropology/manarchnet/

An overview of Manitoba culture history. Links to some interesting sites in the region like the Museum of Man and Nature and Parks Canada.

Department of Anthropology - University of Manitoba

http://www.umanitoba.ca/anthropology/

Alberta

Heads-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Site

http://www.ucalgary.ca/UofC/faculties/SS/ARKY/hsi/hsi.html

The legend, the anatomy, the history - Heads-Smashed-In site is perhaps one of the most interesting buffalo jump sites in the Americas. Information on recent excavations is available. The page has detailed textual information which needs to be supplemented by some good graphics.

Department of Anthropology - University of Alberta

http://www.ucalgary.ca/UofC/faculties/SS/ARKY/ARKY.html

Fascinating virtual slide show based upon archaeological research carried out in the Canadian High Arctic during the past five years. Also visit the section on current research projects. Some good graphics here.

Colorado

Colorado Archaeological Society

http://www.netone.com/~mlandem/

Homepage of the Indian Peaks Chapter of the Colorado Archaeological Society. The page contains some good articles of interest to archaeologists. Links to other archaeology pages.

Colorado Historical Society

http://www.aclin.org/other/historic/chs/index.html

Colorado Historical Society and Office of Archaeological and Historic Preservation. More links to archaeology, especially Colorado archaeology.

Department of Anthropology - University of Colorado at Boulder

http://www.colorado.edu/Anthropology/

Iowa

Office of the State Archaeologist, Iowa

http://lime.weeg.uiowa.edu/~osa/index.html

A vital link for anyone interested in the archaeology of the Plains. The OSA is a veritable repository of information regarding all the archaeological sites known so far in Iowa. The site offers information on the Iowa Archaeological Society, the educational outreach programs organized by the OSA, the burials program, and detailed information on Iowa's cultural heritage. Online site reports and some select monographs are also available.