THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF EARLY ‘PERSISTENT PLACES’ IN CENTRAL OREGON

Bowman Museum invites the community to a lecture on the archaeology of the Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland on Wednesday, October 28, at 6 p.m. Presented by Anne Dowd, a U.S. Forest Service archaeologist, the program will explore discoveries revealing how people lived in Central Oregon thousands of years ago.

Archaeologists have documented sites in the Ochoco region dating from approximately 13,000 to 8,500 years ago. These locations, ranging from large base camps to resource-processing sites, provide evidence of early inhabitants who returned to familiar places for reliable resources.

Dowd will discuss how these discoveries expand our understanding of early human lifeways, seasonal movements, and adaptations to changing environmental conditions. The presentation will also connect research from cave and open-air archaeological sites and highlight the importance of protecting these irreplaceable resources.

Community members interested in Central Oregon history and archaeology are encouraged to attend this engaging presentation.

What: The Archaeology of the Ochoco Mountains
Presenter: Anne Dowd, U.S. Forest Service Archaeologist
When: Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at 6 p.m.
Where: Bowman Museum, Prineville, Oregon