Joshua Tree National Park: The Science Laboratory in your Backyard
on display September 30 through December 17, 2016
Opening Reception and Keynote Speaker on Friday, September 30, 2016
Reception starts at 5:00 p.m. and Keynote Speaker at 7:00 p.m
Besides being a place where locals and tourists enjoy the tranquility and serene beauty of the desert, Joshua Tree National Park is also the place for some cutting edge science. JTNP conducts studies in archaeology, botany, environmental science, geology, paleontology, zoology and more. This exhibit allows visitors’ to explore their National Park behind the scenes.
Michael Newland, Sonoma State University
Joshua Tree National Park has some of the most fascinating archaeology found anywhere in the United States. The park was home to several Native American cultures, including the Cahuilla, the Serrano, the Chemehuevi, and the Mojave, who lived here over centuries and continue to view many areas of the park as sacred. Many archaeologists have made remarkable finds that have changed science’s understanding of California prehistory and the metamorphosis of this rugged landscape over the past 10,000 years. This talk will highlight some of the discoveries, including the presenter’s own research, as well as discuss some of the challenges the Park and tribal advocates face in preserving this remarkable heritage for future generations.
JTNP Archaeology Symposium
Saturday, October 1, 2016
from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Black Rock Nature Center
