For the Telegram

TORRINGTON – Registration is open for the inaugural Eastern Wyoming College (EWC) Archaeology Symposium to be held at the college in Torrington, June 27-29, 2024. The idea for this free symposium stemmed from a collaboration between EWC Archaeology Program Director, Dr. Steven Howard and the Sunrise Historic and Prehistoric Preservation Society (SHAPPS). 

Organizers hope the event advances the goal to develop a sustainable educational tourism program for the eastern Wyoming region. It is meant to bring together community members, archaeological professionals, and enthusiasts from across the world. 

The symposium portion, taking place on the evenings of June 27 and 28, will feature seven speakers from locations across the globe. Each speaker will discuss topics related to their research on the earliest Americans.

George Zeimans (Wyoming) will discuss Paleoindian sites in the Hartville Uplift and surroundings in Wyoming. 

Dr. Bruce Bradley (Colorado) will discuss archaeological naming conventions and their application to the Paleoindian point assemblage at Powars II in Sunrise, Wyoming. 

Dr. Astolofo Gomez de Mello Araujo (Brazil) will discuss new Paleoindian research along the Tietê River in São Paulo State, SE Brazil. 

Dr. Leticia Cristina Correa (Brazil) will discuss cultural diversity among the Paleoindian peoples of São Paulo State, SE Brazil.

Dr. Rafael Suarez Sainz (Uruguay) will discuss the Paleoindian period in Uruguay. 

Dr. D. Clark Werneke (Texas) will discuss the Gault Site, a Paleoindian site in central Texas.

Dr. Richard Gramley (Massachusetts) will discuss Paleoindian sites in the Midwest and Eastern United States.

In addition to two evenings of speakers at the archaeology symposium, attendees have the opportunity to visit the historic former mining town of Sunrise, Wyoming. Howard is working with SHAPPS to host many on-site activities in Sunrise. There will be walking tours of the former mining town, multiple demonstrations and hands-on activities. 

A master flintknapper (one who shapes flint, chert, obsidian, or other conchoidal fracturing stone through the process of lithic reduction) will be on-site giving demonstrations Friday and Saturday.  Additionally, EWC’s Art Professor will host workshops on ancient pottery making techniques. The two days in Sunrise will also have an atlatl (pre-bow and arrow hunting tool) area set up for demonstrations and hands-on learning.

Round trip shuttle service will be available on Friday, June 28 and Saturday, June 29 from EWC to Sunrise, Wyoming.  The shuttles will run beginning at 9 a.m. with the final shuttle leaving Sunrise at 4 p.m. Check the website for the shuttle schedule.
The three-day event is free to anyone, of any age and any location. “We are thrilled to offer this opportunity for all folks whether they have experience in the archaeology field or simply have an interest in the study,” states Dr. Howard. “In addition to the educational aspects of the Symposium itself, the event hopes to showcase the archaeological, geological and natural resources Wyoming has to offer.”
The new archaeology program through EWC was developed through governor Mark Gordon allocating federal funds to cover the first year of the newly launched Wyoming Innovation Partnership (WIP).  The WIP is seen as a new effort to better diversify and grow the state’s economy and workforce. “We are giving students an experiential education to prepare them for archaeology careers,” said Dr. Howard. “This will in turn contribute to Wyoming’s tourism industry through development and enhancement of archaeological and historical destinations.”
Information about the Archaeology Program can be found by visiting www.ewc.wy.edu/academics/programs. Information and registration for the symposium can be found by visiting www.sunrisesymposium.org. For questions, please contact Stacie Walter at stacie@bootsproductions.com or Annie Wood at annie@longpreconsulting.com.