Wiant to present lecture on early people of the western hemisphere

What’s New in the Study of the First Americans

Dr. Michael Wiant, Director at Dickson Mounds Museum, will present a lecture on the first groups of human beings to occupy the western hemisphere at the monthly meeting of the Illinois Valley Archaeological Society at 7 p.m. Jan. 2 in the Dickson Mounds Museum auditorium. 

The public is welcome and there is no charge.

Archaeologists continue to advance our understanding of human history during the first few centuries following migration to the western hemisphere. 

It appears that there were multiple migrations from different areas of Asia and perhaps Europe; migration began earlier than previously supposed; and the new inhabitants survived substantial changes in climate and perhaps the impact of a comet. 

Questions also remain about the extinction of Ice Age Megafauna.

The Illinois State Museum­Dickson Mounds is located between Lewistown and Havana off Illinois Routes 78 and 97.

For more information call (309) 547-3721.