The Hisatsinom Chapter of the Colorado Archaeological Society is pleased to present Richard Wilshusen on Tuesday, June 4, at 7 p.m., at the First Methodist Church, 515 Park St. in Cortez, to discuss “History and the Navajo Homeland: The Creation of Dinetah.”

Using oral history, Spanish documents and the archaeological record, Wilshusen will argue that a clearly defined Navajo ethnic identity is not evident until A.D. 1600-1650. In past investigations, archaeological researchers have assumed that the Navajo arrived in the Southwest as a fully formed group by 1450. In contrast, he uses old histories and new archaeological evidence to argue that the emergence of the early Navajo as a distinct group is more gradual, complicated, and proactive than most archaeologists might propose. Only in the early seventeenth century are the Navajo clearly distinguishable from the closely related Apache groups of the Southwest.

Wilshusen (Ph.D., University of Colorado, 1991) is the state archaeologist and one of two deputy state historic preservation officers of Colorado. Wilshusen has worked as an archaeologist in the American Southwest for over 30 years and is known for his work in the early Pueblo period in the northern Southwest. He has also made contributions to the understanding of the ethnogenesis of the early Navajo. He has worked for universities and colleges, the federal government, state government, tribes, and contract archaeology firms. He still counts his lucky stars that he has made his living as an archaeologist.

Contact Diane McBride at (970) 560-1643 for information on this, or other, presentations.