MEETING: SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2:00PM AT OAKLANDS MANSION EVENT HALL

The Rutherford County Archaeological Society cordially invites you to our meeting on Sunday, April 28th at 2:00 PM at Oaklands Mansion Event Hall.  We are very happy to be hosting archaeologist and RCAS President Olivia Thompson, who will present  “Tennessee Prehistory: Exploring the First Peoples Gallery and Archaeological Material Culture at the Tennessee State Museum.”

Ms. Thompson, a museum assistant at the Tennessee State Museum and the president of the Rutherford County Archaeological Society (RCAS), will  be offering a  special presentation about  the First Peoples Gallery at the museum.  Through a unique PowerPoint presentation,  she will be covering the four prehistoric cultural periods in Tennessee, discussing some of the state’s significant prehistoric archaeological sites, and highlighting specific artifacts that are on display in the gallery.

DOORS OPEN AT 1:300. THIS IS FREE AND THERE IS EASY ACCESS PARKING RIGHT AT THE VENUE.

SEE YOU SOON!

First Meeting of 2024, Sun, Feb.25, 2:00PM, Oaklands Mansion

We are also having RCAS Officer elections for 2024-2026. Election Slate: President: Olivia Thompson; Vice-President: Clelie Cottle Peacock; Secy/Treasurer: James Manning

If you are interested in running for an officer position please notify us.

Sunday, October 22, 2:00 PM at Oaklands Mansion

The Rutherford County Archaeological Society cordially invites you to our meeting on Sunday, October 22 at 2:00 PM at Oaklands Mansion Event Hall, 900 N. Maney Ave., Murfreesboro TN. Our guest speaker is archaeologist Adam Fracchia, who will present “Documenting the Battle of Nashville: Recent Archaeological Excavations at Sevier Park.” We look forward to learning about the history of this site and its connection to the Civil War.

Sunday, September 24, 2:00 PM, Oaklands Mansion Event Hall

It is Tennessee Archaeology Awareness Month and the Rutherford County Archaeological Society (RCAS) is thrilled to announce and invite you to attend  a special presentation by our Tennessee State Archaeologist, Phil Hodge!    This meeting, as is all our meetings,  are open to the  public and are free. You may have heard Phil speak to RCAS before, so you know what a great speaker he is!  

Phil will give a slide accompanied presentation on the many ways that archaeologists approach studying the past in the 21st century. From cutting edge technologies to new methods of excavation, archival research and work with descendent communities, archaeologists today have more ways to approach research, stewardship, and outreach than ever before. Such a varied approach to understanding the archaeological record contributes to archaeologists’ ability to answer questions about the past and inform discussions of the present.

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday, September 24th at 2:00 PM. Doors will open at 1:30, so come on in, have a cookie and a drink, and sit a spell!

AUGUST MEETING

The Rutherford County Archaeological Society cordially invites you to our August 27th meeting featuring the presentation of “Ötzi: The Life, Death, and Tattoos of the 5,300-year-old Chalcolithic Iceman” by Aaron Deter-Wolf, a prehistoric archaeologist with the Tennessee Division of Archaeology and one of the leading researchers in the world on the archaeological study of tattoos.

Please join us on Sunday, August 27 at 2:00PM at the Oaklands Mansion Event Hall. Our meetings are open to the public and we look forward to seeing you! Doors will open at 1:30. Free.

Presentation Summary:
The preserved body and belongings of the 5,300-year-old man known as “Ötzi” were recovered from an Alpine glacier in 1991. Following three decades of research, archaeological science has revealed more about this Chalcolithic man than perhaps any other individual ancient human. Numerous studies have examined aspects of the Iceman’s life including his tools, clothes, health conditions, the environment in which he lived, the ingredients of his last meal, and the circumstances of his death. Thanks to extraordinary preservation, researchers have documented 61 carbon pigment marks on Ötzi’s skin. Those tattoos are the oldest preserved examples from anywhere on Earth, and to date are the only direct archaeological evidence of tattooing in European antiquity.

Speaker:
Aaron Deter-Wolf of the Tennessee Division of Archaeology is a leading researcher in the archaeological study of tattooing. His studies include efforts identifying tattooing tools in archaeological collections, the non-destructive documentation of preserved tattoos on archaeological human remains, and studies recreating and testing ancient and historical tattooing implements. In 2016 Deter-Wolf was lead author of the study confirming Ötzi’s tattoos as being the oldest examples of that practice, and he recently completed a research project using experimental archaeology to evaluate how the Iceman’s tattoos were created. In this program for the Rutherford County Archaeological Society, Deter-Wolf will discuss the current understanding of Ötzi’s life and final days, and what 5,300- year-old tattoos may tell us about ancient and modern human behavior.

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The Rutherford County Archaeological Society(RCAS) is an all-volunteer, 501 (c)(3) non-profit service organization. Promoting public archaeology, we bring together folks from all walks of life and professional archaeologists. We serve to educate and foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of archaeology, to demonstrate the importance of research, and to promote the stewardship, preservation, and protection of our cultural resources.