EUGENE, Ore. — (May 10, 2013) — "Oregon Archaeology," written by three archaeologists at the University of Oregon's Museum of Natural and Cultural History, earned a 2013 Oregon Heritage Excellence Award from the Oregon Heritage Commission.
The award recognizes the book as a definitive text on Oregon's human history and as an outstanding contribution to the field of archaeology in the state. The award was one of eight given May 9 during the Oregon Heritage Excellence Awards banquet in Portland.
"'Oregon Archaeology' represents a project that goes over and above the call of duty to promote Oregon's diverse heritage and tell the story of our state's human history," said Kyle Jansson, coordinator for the Oregon Heritage Commission.
Co-authored by C. Melvin Aikens, Thomas Connolly and Dennis Jenkins, the book draws from eight decades of archaeological research and provides a narrative of the state's cultural history, beginning with the earliest evidence of human occupation and continuing into the 20th century. The 512-page book — a significantly expanded third revision and published by the Oregon State University Press — is divided into regions that represent portions of broader geographies that span much of western North America and reflect both Oregon's Native American cultural diversity and its far-reaching cultural ties.
"We had several key goals for this book," said Connolly, director of archaeological research at the Museum of Natural and Cultural History. "First, we wanted it to be comprehensive, so it covers Oregon's human history from initial colonizers nearly 15,000 years ago, to historical archaeology of the 19th and early 20th centuries. We also wanted to create a book that was accessible to any interested reader, but useful to researchers, so the narrative text is punctuated with citations that by themselves occupy about 60 pages. On its own, it's chock full of good information, but it also serves as a guide to other sources for people wanting to explore further."
The seven other award recipients for 2013 were: Don Ivy, Coos Bay; the Heceta Head Lighthouse Restoration Project, Lane County; Kay Holbo, Eugene, for her leadership in the preservation of Oregon's historic cemeteries; the "Coming Home: Voices of Return and Resettlement, 1945-1965" exhibition and public programs by Oregon Nikkei Endowment, Portland; the "History: Made by You" project by the Southern Oregon Historical Society; the Springdale School Restoration project, Corbett; and the Willamette River Bridge Rehabilitation project, Oregon City.
"Heritage Excellence Award recipients represent the diversity of efforts to preserve Oregon's heritage," said Jansson. "They also serve as models for others for how to make the most out of available resources."
About the Museum of Natural and Cultural History
The UO Museum of Natural and Cultural History is Oregon’s primary repository for anthropological and paleontological collections. The museum is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for seniors and youths ages 17 and under, and $8 for families (two adults and up to four youths). Museum members are admitted free. Admission is free to the public on Wednesdays. Guided tours are offered each Friday at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Media Contact:
Kristin Strommer, communications & marketing specialist, UO Museum of Natural and Cultural History, kstromme@uoregon.edu, 541-346-5083.
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