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 three episodes have been produced. Pending funding, the Kentucky Heritage Council hopes to produce additional episodes for the series about new research in both prehistoric and historical archaeology.

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 over 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 archaeologist much about the lifeways of American Indians over 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.

The first three episodes are available for purchase. The price for all three episodes is 10 dollars plus 4 dollars for shipping and handling. To order a copy send a check for 14 dollars to the Kentucky Heritage Council, 300 Washington Street, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601. Be sure to include your name and address.

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.

Episode 4 is available for purchase. The price for this episode is 10 dollars plus 4 dollars for shipping and handling. To order a copy send a check for 14 dollars to the Kentucky Heritage Council, 300 Washington Street, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601. Be sure to include your name and address.

Lesson Plans

Classroom-tested, age-appropriate lessons linked to specific KERA academic expectations are being prepared for each episode. As they become available they will be posted on this Web page. You will be able to download these materials for use in your classroom, giving you and your students a chance to explore more deeply aspects of Kentucky's rich prehistory.

The companion guides, for Ancient Fires at Cliff Palace Pond: A Companion Guide for Teachers and The Adena People are now available.

Companion guides for Saving A Kentucky Time Capsule and WPA Archaeology, Legacy of an Era are still in preparation and should be ready for downloading by mid April.

If you would like to be notified when the remaining lesson plans are ready to be downloaded send your name and email address to Yvonne Sherrick

And if you are so inclined, we'd love to hear what you think about the programs . If you have any ideas for future episodes, jot them down, too.

Thanks for your interest and look for our message in your in-box soon!