ODYSSEY Archaeological Research

Report of Investigations, Summer and Fall, 2017 (Adobe Acrobat PDF file, 16.8 MB)

This document summarizes investigations conducted in the summer and fall of 2017 with support from the Odyssey Archaeological Research Fund (OARF). The two OARF-supported field investigations completed during this period are as follows:

1. Test excavations at the Spring Valley site (23CT389), southeastern Missouri.
2. Exploration at the Classen Mastodon locality and adjacent areas of the Classen Ranch in Meade County, southwestern Kansas.

The excavation crew at the Spring Valley site (23CT389) consisted of three students from the University of Kansas: Josh Collins, Paige Englert, and R. Mason Niquette. Also, Jacque Griffith-Esala, Matthew Nowak, and Jack Ray (Project Supervisor), all from Missouri State University, participated in the excavation. In addition, Dr. Laura Murphy and Alyssa Sparks from the Washburn University archaeology field school were involved with the excavation during the second field session, and Allison Young (National Park Service), David Cain (U.S. Forest Service) and Jake Pluim (U.S. Forest Service) served as volunteers at the site. Dr. Rolfe Mandel conducted the geomorphological investigation at site 23CT389.

The following K.U. students were involved with the Odyssey investigation at the Classen mastodon locality and adjacent areas of the Classen Ranch: Paige Englert, Jeff Ross, and Blair Benson Schneider. Dr. Laura Murphy (Washburn University) served as Project Supervisor, and three Washburn students—Adrianna Hendricks, Lori Holstrom, and Daniel Hougland—served as volunteers. Two volunteers from Meade County also served as volunteers: Norman Dye and Aidan Miller. Dr. Rolfe Mandel conducted the geomorphological investigation at the Classen mastodon locality.

We are especially grateful to Ralph and Randall Classen for allowing the Odyssey research team to conduct research on their property and for assisting us in the field.

Report of Investigations, Summer and Fall, 2016 (Adobe Acrobat PDF file, 16.4 MB)

This document summarizes investigations conducted in the summer and fall of 2016 with support from the Odyssey Archaeological Research Fund (OARF). The two OARF-supported field investigations completed during this period are as follows:

1. Test excavations at the Two Rivers site (23SH101): A multicomponent Paleoindian through Historic period site Sherman County, Kansas
2. Test excavations at Scheuerman mammoth site (14SC327) in thee Ozark National Scenic Riverway, Shannon County, southeast Missouri.

Dr. Jack Hofman (Department of Anthropology, University of Kansas), Jack Ray (Missouri State University), and Kale Brunner (Department of Anthropology, University of Kansas) provided the information presented in this document. The following K.U. students provided assistance in the field: Barb Crable, Josh Collins, Laura Krische, Bradly Saint, and R. Mason Niquette. Also, Chris Hord, Stephen Dyle, and Jeff Sheldon, temporary Research Aids at the Kansas Geological Survey, participated in the field investigations. Volunteers who assisted with excavations at the Two Rivers site include Kevin Drees, Marvin Nash, Kim Nash, and Billie Woods. We are especially grateful to Allison Young (National Park Service) for providing logistical support and other forms of assistance at Two Rivers. Finally, thanks goes to Mike and Deb Scheuerman (Scheuerman site) for allowing us to conduct excavations on their property and for providing assistance.

Report of Investigations, Summer and Fall, 2013 (Adobe Acrobat PDF file, 7.1 MB)

This document summarizes investigations conducted in the summer and fall of 2013 with support from the Odyssey Archaeological Research Fund (OARF). The two OARF-supported field investigations completed during this period are as follows:

1. Test excavations at the Coffey Site (14PO1) in Pottawatomie County, northeastern Kansas.
2. Test excavations at the Scheuerman mammoth site (14SC327) in Scott County, western Kansas.

Three individuals—Dr. Jack Hofman (University of Kansas), Kale Bruner (University of Kansas) and Jack Ray (Center for Archaeological Research, Missouri State University)—played major roles in the 2013 Odyssey field investigations and provided much of the information compiled in this document. The following K.U. students provided assistance in the field: Ben Anthony, Nick Arnhold, Kale Bruner, Inga Fonder, Jessica Hagge, Julie Harbin, John Jurkovich, Helen Sangster, Blair Benson Schneider, and Jeff Shelton. Also, the following temporary Research Aids were involved in the field investigations: Adam Benfer, Chris Hord, and Karen Cunningham. Volunteers included Melonie Sullivan, Tim Meade, Sandra Moran, and Norman Dye. We are grateful to Mike and Deb Scheuerman for allowing us to conduct excavations on their property and for providing assistance. A special thanks goes to Paul Weidhaas (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) for providing assistance at the Coffey site.