Kentucky Archaeology is a series of short documentaries that explore new research about the state's rich cultural heritage. Produced by the Kentucky Heritage Council, each episode examines a unique aspect of archaeology with a blend of interviews, artifacts, rare archival images and video of ancient American Indian sites in Kentucky. To date four episodes have been produced. The Kentucky Heritage Council is currently working on a fifth episode. With support from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet script development has begun on an episdoe devoted to Kentucky urban archaeology.
Volume One, Episodes 1-3
Ancient Fires at Cliff Palace Pond examines landmark research on Kentucky's first forest managers. Archaeologist Cecil Ison takes viewers to a spectacular site in Daniel Boone National Forest where soil core studies show how American Indians have been using fire to manage the environment for more than 3,000 years. This episode was funded by the USDA Forest Service, the Kentucky Heritage Council, the Kentucky Archaeological Survey, the Kentucky Humanities Council and the Kentucky Arts Council.
The Adena People: Moundbuilders of Kentucky examines the legacies of the Adena people whose ancient culture is renowned for massive burial mounds. Dr. Berle Clay examines the search for rare Adena settlements, which could tell archaeologists much about the lifeways of American Indians more than 2,000 years ago. This episode was funded by the Kentucky Heritage Council, the National Park Service and the Kentucky Archaeological Survey.
Saving a Kentucky Time Capsule documents efforts to preserve dozens of ancient American Indian mud glyphs (drawings) discovered deep inside a Kentucky cavern. Archaeologists Valerie Haskins and Dan Davis lead viewers on an unforgettable journey to see rare legacies from Kentucky's early occupants. This episode was funded by the Kentucky Heritage Council.
Volume One containing Ancient Fires at Cliff Palace Pond, The Adena People: Moundbuilders of Kentucky and Saving a Kentucky Time Capsule is available for purchase for $10 plus $4 shipping and handling. Unless otherwise noted, video will be shipped in DVD format.
Volume Two, Episode 4
WPA Archaeology: Legacy of an Era. In Depression-era Kentucky, people needed jobs. Roosevelt's New Deal programs did just that, funding hundreds of labor projects - from road construction and forest conservation to cultural programs in music, art and history. Archaeological research, too, provided much-needed jobs. These projects transformed Kentucky's prehistoric mounds and village sites into work opportunities for thousands of otherwise jobless Kentuckians through the Works Progress Administration's (WPA) archaeology program.
Volume Two, WPA Archaeology: Legacy of an Era, is available for purchase for $10 plus $4 shipping and handling. Unless otherwise noted, video will be shipped in DVD format.