Press Release
September 25, 2023
Contact: Kristina Wyckoff
State Historic Preservation Office, Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 405-521-6381
kristina.wyckoff@history.ok.gov
www.okhistory.org/shpo
Free SHPO Webinar to Focus on Early-Historic Wichita Sites
OKLAHOMA CITY — On Wednesday, October 4, at 2 p.m., the Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office will host a free webinar titled “Early Wichita Sites and Fortifications in Oklahoma,” presented by Dr. Richard Drass, emeritus professor at the University of Oklahoma. He will discuss archaeology at Bryson-Paddock and Longest, two early-historic Wichita sites.
Research at several sites across Oklahoma has revealed evidence that the Wichita began building forts to defend against other Native tribes as early as 1450 or 1500, well before the arrival of Europeans in the area. This presentation will discuss current information on how these forts were built and used.
This webinar is part of the “Hidden Oklahoma: How Archaeology Reveals Secrets From Our Past” series by the Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office. “Hidden Oklahoma” features archaeologists and researchers who discuss important sites in Oklahoma and illustrate why archaeology is critical to understanding our history.
Registration is required. For more information, contact Kristina Wyckoff, SHPO’s Section 106 coordinator and historical archaeologist, at 405-521-6381 or kristina.wyckoff@history.ok.gov.
The State Historic Preservation Office is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.
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