LOUISVILLE, Ky. — An archaeology lecture series this fall at the University of Louisville and Locust Grove will focus on digs including Kentucky’s bourbon distilleries, an ancient mound in Africa and colonial settlements in North America and Ireland.
UofL’s history and anthropology departments, Liberal Studies Project and the Archaeological Institute of America’s Kentucky Society are sponsoring the public Lectures in Archaeology. The events are free, except for the Oct. 5 fundraiser. Here is the fall 2017 schedule:
Sept. 13 — “Take It From the Bottom: 1,500 Years of Nubian History Told Through Stratigraphy,” 6 p.m., Chao Auditorium, UofL’s Ekstrom Library. William Adams, University of Kentucky anthropology professor emeritus, will talk about the Meinarti archaeological site in the Nubian region south of Egypt. As the site excavator in 1963-64, Adams will discuss how the digs revealed 18 levels of occupation separated by abandonment periods from pagan to Muslim times.
Oct. 5 — “Bourbon Archaeology: A Kentucky Society Fundraiser,” 7-9 p.m., Locust Grove Visitor Center, 561 Blankenbaker Lane, includes a tour of the Locust Grove farm distillery project, demonstration of early 19th century whiskey production, guided bourbon tasting and presentation by archaeologist Nick Laracuente, who will discuss his excavation of the remains of some of Kentucky’s oldest bourbon distilleries. Seating is limited; the $30 event tickets can be reserved at http://www.kyarchaeology.com.
Nov. 2 — “Worlds in Motion: Ireland, the Atlantic and Colonial America,” 6 p.m., Chao Auditorium, UofL’s Ekstrom Library. Audrey Horning, anthropology professor at the College of William & Mary and Queen’s University-Belfast, will talk about similarities and differences between archaeological projects in North America such as Roanoke, Jamestown and Plymouth and lesser known British colonial settlements in Ireland.
The lecture series continues in 2018 with Feb. 1, March 5 and March 22 talks.
For more information, check www.kyarchaeology.com or contact Jennifer Westerfeld at 502-852-3756 or jennifer.westerfeld@louisville.edu.