Recent Archaeological Research in Petrified Forest National Park

Petrified Forest National park has been the subject of archaeological research for well over 100 years. In 2004 Congress authorized a boundary expansion, effectively doubling the protected land in Petrified Forest National Park. As these lands are slowly being purchased and added to the park, a three year project began in 2013 to inventory cultural resources. The results of the first two seasons of survey and recording work have found a stunning density and diversity of archaeological remains. Archaeological sites spanning the last 10,000 years of human occupation have been identified and recorded, including most notably extensive preceramic sites and lithic landscapes, large Basketmaker villages, and a densely settled Puebloan landscape. The National Park Service has taken this opportunity to use the boundary expansion project as a teaching laboratory and platform for future investigation, incorporating student interns and researchers into the project. This session presents an update of the recent archaeology completed in Petrified Forest, and highlights some of the independent student research projects.