John Whittaker, professor of anthropology, to lecture at International Archaeology Day on University of Iowa Campus
Grinnell in the News 2013-09-14
Summary:
AIA Lecture, Monday 14 October 2013, 7:30 pm at Art Building West on the University of Iowa campus.
Studying Famous Atlatls: From Musuem to Field Test. By Dr. John C. Whittaker, Grinnell College, Iowa.
Museum specimens of rare artifacts often have enlightening individual stories. They also derve as models for replications that can be directly tested, giving us examples of partucular technologies, and some insights into their capabilities and possible uses. The Aztec Atlatl in the British Museum, and the unusual atlatls recovered bu Cushing's 19th century excavations in Florida are examples of well known but little studies artifacts.
- John has taught in the Anthropology Department at Grinnell College since 1984. He does archaeological research in the American Southwest, ethnoarchaeology in Turkey and elsewhere, and experiments with prehistoric technology, especially stone tools and atlatls.