700 years ago in Tucson

Meddler Point, a Classic Period platform mound site in the Tonto Basin. Illustration by Ziba Ghassemi.

Archaeology Café – Tucson Underground. Knowledge seekers of every kind are welcome at Archaeology Café, where experts share their latest research on Tucson’s deep and diverse history in a jargon-free zone. On Tuesday, December 12, 2017, archaeologist Mark Elson explores the time period A.D.1150 – 1450 in Tucson with a lively presentation entitled 700 years ago in Tucson: Making a Living in the Hohokam Classic Period.

Thanks to archaeological investigations at a number of Classic period sites across the Tucson basin, archaeologists have a better idea of what life was like 700 years ago here in Tucson. Elson will summarize some of this new knowledge and share some of his views on what it all might mean. Why did building practices and other aspects of material culture seem to change during this time period? Elson will give us some insights.

Mark D. Elson, Ph.D. is a Principal Investigator at Desert Archaeology, Inc. In that role, he has directed and managed archaeological projects throughout the Southwest. His understanding of the Classic period in Tucson is informed by years’ of experience researching various sites from that time period in the region. Elson’s research interests include settlement, subsistence, and kinship systems, the use of ethnographic data in archaeological research, ethnic boundaries, and human adaptation to disasters.

Archaeology Café is held at The Loft Cinema (3233 E. Speedway Blvd). While seating is open and unreserved, we are limited to 98 attendees. The Loft Cinema will issue free tickets on the day of the Café. You can pick up tickets from the box office anytime that day. (Limit two tickets per person.)

Archaeology Café is free. Guests are encouraged to purchase their own refreshments from The Loft’s impressive concession bar. Offerings include tamales, pizza, wraps, sandwiches, snacks, and a great selection of local beers and wines.

Videos of each Café will be available at www.archaeologysouthwest.org/video.

Questions? Visit us online at www.archaeologycafe.org or call us at 520-882-6946 ext. 23.

This program is made possible, in part, by The Smith Living Trust and Arizona Humanities.