Turtle Soup | Kayleigh Johnson - South Dakota State Historical Society Archaeological Research

About this event

What can an ancient quarry tell us about the people who lived in South Dakota thousands of years ago? Join Senior Archaeologist Kayleigh Johnson as she explores a prehistoric quartzite quarry near Fairburn, where American Indians once extracted stone to create tools. Learn how archaeologists and geologists worked together to document the site, identify the source of the quartzite, and uncover the story hidden within the landscape. Discover how fieldwork, laboratory analysis, and collaboration between disciplines help preserve South Dakota's cultural heritage while revealing the connections between people and the natural world. And be warned—rock puns are inevitable! About the Speaker Kayleigh Johnson is a Senior Archaeologist with the South Dakota State Historical Society Archaeological Research Center in Rapid City, where she manages archaeological projects, coordinates fieldwork, and helps preserve South Dakota's cultural resources. She earned both her bachelor's degree in Geology and her master's degree in Paleontology from South Dakota Mines. Her expertise spans geology, paleontology, natural history, education, and cultural resource management. When she's not in the field or the lab, Kayleigh enjoys rockhounding, creating art, and spending time with friends and family.

Description from journeymuseum.org