DFC-AAS: September 13– Todd Bostwick
Todd W. Bostwick, PhD, RPA presents Interpreting the Nazca Lines: Enigmatic Images of the Peruvian Desert. The mysterious lines and figures sketched onto the desert floor of southern Peru, one of the most arid regions of the world, have long intrigued archaeologists and explorers. There are various theories proposed concerning the origins and purposes of these geoglyphs, from wild speculation that they served as runways for alien spaceships to more believable but nonetheless controversial ideas that they are related to ancient astronomy. This talk provides a detailed examination of the culture which created the geoglyphs, shows aerial photographs of the more famous geoglyphs, and discusses the various researchers who worked in Nazca and the results of their studies. Studies demonstrated that the Nazca people developed an ingenious underground water system that allowed them to survive in the harsh desert environment, and excavations revealed a ceramic tradition that incorporated colorful and bizarre scenes painted on their vessels.
Dr. Todd Bostwick has conducted archaeological research in the Southwest for 36 years. He was the Phoenix City Archaeologist for 21 years at Pueblo Grande Museum and is currently the Director of Archaeology at the Verde Valley Archaeology Center in Camp Verde. Dr. Bostwick has an MA in Anthropology and a PhD in History from Arizona State University (ASU). He taught classes at both ASU and Northern Arizona University for seven years and was a Senior Research Archaeologist for PaleoWest Archaeology. He published numerous books and articles on Southwest archaeology and history, and he received awards from the National Park Service, the Arizona Governor’s Archaeology Advisory Commission, the City of Phoenix, and the Arizona Archaeological Society. Moreover, Dr. Bostwick’s life long expertise and experience far exceed the confinements of the American Southwest with his personal activities and interests.
Reception and socialization at 7:00 pm, program begins approximately 7:30 pm.
