Paleoindian sites with fluted points have been found in upland settings across North America, yet only a handful of stratified Paleoindian sites have been found and archaeologically investigated. Understanding the arrival and adaptations made by these First Americans requires the discovery and excavation of more stratified sites. The greatest potential for unearthing early sites lies within deep alluvial soils, but traditional excavation methods are often labor-intensive and prohibitively expensive. Mechanized archaeology, however, offers a promising approach to reducing these costs. This lecture will introduce the Paleo Digger, an innovative machine designed to revolutionize deep archaeological testing and advance the study of North America’s earliest inhabitants.

About Brian Fritz

Brian L. Fritz is the Owner and Principal Archaeological Investigator for Quemahoning, LLC, a cultural resources consulting business specializing in geoarchaeology, soil geomorphology, and GIS solutions for complex archaeological projects. He holds a B.S. in geology and a B.A. in Anthropology from Clarion University of Pennsylvania and a M.S. in Geology from the University of Akron. He is a registered professional archaeologist (RPA) with twenty years of experience in conducting archaeological excavations. As the inventor of the PaleoDigger machine and founder of the ArchaeologyX YouTube Channel, he brings a unique blend of expertise and innovation to the field of First American studies.