USU Welcomes Dr. Bonnie Pitblado to the Museum of Anthropology

The department of Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology recently welcomed Bonnie Pitblado, assistant professor of archaeology and director of the Museum of Anthropology. Specializing in the earliest human occupations of the Rocky Mountains (8,000–10,000 years ago), Pitblado plans to conduct archaeological research in the local mountain environment. She has done similar work in southwestern Colorado.

In its fall 2002 issue, "American Archaeology" covered her excavation at Chance Gulch in that region. Copies of the magazine are available at the Merrill library on the Utah State campus and major bookstores.

Pitblado said public outreach will be a main focus for her at Utah State. In her position as director, she wants to use the Museum of Anthropology, located in Old Main 252, as a bridge among local community members, Utah State students and the field of anthropology.

"We shouldn’t be doing archaeology at all if we are not going to give something back to the public," she said. "The museum offers opportunities for students of all ages."

Although students at Utah State are involved with the museum, she would like to see more Cache Valley residents become familiar with the museum and what it has to offer. She wants to address the interests of Cache Valley residents. What do people want to see in the museum? Are people interested in community events such as storytelling, live traditional music, tours and new exhibits?

"I want the museum to be a vibrant community resource," she said. "But, in order to do this, I need input from local community members interested in sharing what the museum can give to them."

Currently many public schools bring students to the museum for tours, often in coordination with the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art. Fourth through sixth grade students are the most common visitors, but all ages are welcome. There are learning opportunities for people from ages 5 to 95, Pitblado said.

Presently, there are six students who volunteer their time as museum docents, assisting with tours and public education. She would welcome other volunteers who are interested in gaining experience in an active museum.

The Museum of Anthropology is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information regarding opportunities contact her at bpitblado@hass.usu.edu.

In addition to her academic assignment and her work with the museum, University Press of Colorado will soon publish a book by Pitblado in which she models the extent and use of the mountains in Colorado and Utah. Now it is time to test the models, she said, in the Utah mountains. The book, "Late Paleo-Indian Occupation of the Southern Rocky Mountains," will be released next spring.

For more information about archaeological fieldwork, internship and volunteer
opportunities and other works published by Pitblado, visit www.paleoindian.net. In the meantime, Pitblado invites students, faculty and members of the community to visit the many exhibits offered now at the Museum of Anthropology, Old Main 252.