Eugene J. Boesch, Ph.D. |
Despite decades of digging into the origins of humans in
North America, archeologists are still uncovering new evidence that is
overturning old ideas. This lecture covers the latest discoveries, which are
overturning long-held ideas about the identity of the "First
Americans."
It has long been believed that prehistoric Eurasians, who
migrated to North America between 15,000 and 16,000 years ago over a land
bridge crossing the Bering Strait, were the first "Paleoindians."
However, finds by archeologists over the past two decades offer evidence that
Paleoindians were in the Americas as far back as 50,000 years ago.
Scientists also surmised that the Eurasian migrants caused
the extinction of large ice age mammals in North America. But there's also
evidence that a natural disaster caused these animals to die out -- and may
have led to the demise of the Paleoindian culture as well.
Dr. Boesch received a Ph.D. in Anthropology from New York
University, specializing in Native American cultures and adaptations in the
Eastern Woodlands of North America. He has operated a cultural resource firm in
the Hudson Valley for over twenty years and has taught at various area colleges
and universities. A concern for local historic preservation issues has led him
to serve as a member of the Westchester County and Putnam County Historic
Preservation Advisory Committees.
The Susquehanna River Archaeological Center is located at
345 Broad Street in downtown Waverly, NY. There is no admission fee for this
event and doors will open at 5:30pm to allow visitors to also tour the SRAC
Exhibit Hall filled with thousands of local Native American artifacts as well
as the current Ted Keir/SRAC Fossil and Sea Life Exhibit or shop in the SRAC
Gift Shop.
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