Assistant State Archaeologist Dylan Clark: 12,000+ years of NC history and the Office of State Archaeology

In partnership with UNC Asheville’s Art & Art History, and Classics Departments, the Archaeological Institute of America presents a lecture in Highsmith Student Union 225/226 by local archaeologist Dylan Clark of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources. As Assistant State Archaeologist for the Western Region, Clark’s talk will focus on what the North Carolina Office of State Archaeology (OSA) does and how it contributes to identifying, studying, protecting, and sharing information about 12,000+ years of NC history. In this presentation, Clark will explore the role of the OSA in all things NC archaeology, including maintaining the register of known archaeological sites and working with citizens and institutions to document and preserve the state’s most significant cultural resources. Clark will also describe the services that OSA provides to the public and how you can connect with archaeologists in your area to learn more about the ancient places, material culture, and history of your community.

There will be plenty of time for questions, like “who should I call if I find ________ in my backyard or attic?” or any other queries you may have!

Over the past two decades, Clark has excavated in Mesoamerica, the Great Lakes region, New England, and now the Southeast. He earned a BA in Anthropology from Western Michigan University, an MA in Latin American Studies from Tulane University, and a PhD in Anthropology from Harvard University. In addition to Mesoamerican cultures and history, his research and publications have focused on community-engaged, collaborative archaeology, and museum and heritage studies.