Underground History is a regular monthly feature on the Jefferson Exchange. The segment spotlights little-known aspects of Oregon's history through the lens of archaeology and is produced in collaboration with the Southern Oregon University Laboratory of Anthropology. SOULA Director Chelsea Rose co-produces the segment.
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For most of us, there is a soundtrack to our lives. Songs from our childhoods, our weddings, or the background for the big and small events, parties, and road trips that shape us. Music is inherently ephemeral, and often only made available to archaeologists via ancient instruments or illustrations, but archaeological investigations from a former commune in Northern California have provided an exciting opportunity to explore the “sonic debris” from the mid-20th century. -
Chelsea Rose talks with researchers offer historical context and education about the history of Black Americans in Oregon.
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Chelsea Rose digs into the recent past in this episode of Underground History. -
The Alta Heritage Foundation sends trained dogs and archaeologists to homes burnt by wildfires to recover cremains left inside. There is never a cost to the families.
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America's favorite tuber has a long history in our region, including the 1950s invention of the tater tot in Oregon.
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Underground History recently participated in an international effort to promote “RealArchaeology.” This coordinated media blitz was done in response to the rise of pseudoarchaeology and scientific conspiracy theories, as well as to amplify resources where real archaeological content was being produced and shared, and to both pre- and de-bunk false stories and theories that are circulating. Archaeologists certainly aren’t the only ones on the firing lines in what is becoming an increasingly post-truth era, but there are real concerns, and consequences, when false historical narratives gain traction. -
Southern Oregon Historical Society archives contain a legacy of landscapes from 19th century painters.
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Vast deposits of environmental and archaeological knowledge have been frozen in time—until now. -
Underground History discovers 19th century Chinese salmon canneries
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Public historian, Finn J.D. John joins Underground History to discuss some of the stranger aspects of Oregon's past
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Averie Foster at Oregon OSHA talks about toxic substances that can be found in old stuff in museums... and homes
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Johanna Isaacson, who wrote the book Stepford Daughters: Weapons for Feminists in Contemporary Horror.
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A recent episode of Underground History highlighted one archaeologist’s effort to share the wonders of our National Park System in a new way: not through words, but with LEGO vignettes.
