The Petrified Forest Boundary Expansion Project | William Reitze Presentation

“The Petrified Forest Boundary Expansion Project: A First Look at Archeology in an Expanding Park” William Reitze, NPS Archeologist, Petrified Forest National Park, Cotter Award Winner September 29, 2016, 3:00 EDT From 2013-2015, Mr. Reitze developed and supervised an archeological survey project at Petrified Forest National Park. The purpose of the project was to begin archeological inventory in the approximately 45,000 acres acquired by the NPS in 2004. During the course of the 3 year project, summer survey crews walked over 1,000 miles and surveyed 7,000 acres. As a result, evidence of over 13,000 years of human history was discovered and recorded in the park. As part of the project, Reitze developed an archeological internship program incorporating 16 students. Students were trained in pedestrian survey, site recordation, historic preservation, and artifact analysis. The project also incorporated graduate research by two Master’s students and two PhD students. Local High School students were also trained in archaeological site mapping and historic preservation techniques. To date, information gathered as part of the project has resulted in twenty-eight poster presentations and six professional papers. Mr. Reitze personally gave presentations to a number of professional organizations, avocational groups, and the media.