Episode 45: Adornment and Exchange at the River Bend Site, Wyoming with Dr. Spencer Pelton and Alexis Hollander - Plains 45 - The Archaeology Podcast Network Feed

In this episode of the Great Plains Archaeology Podcast, Carlton welcomes Dr. Spencer R. Pelton and Alexis Hollander to discuss their recent article, “Early Eighteenth Century Plains Indian Adornment at the River Bend Site, Wyoming.” Together they explore one of the largest adornment assemblages ever documented in Wyoming, examining locally produced beads and pendants alongside exotic materials that reveal extensive Indigenous exchange networks during the early post-Contact period. The conversation highlights how new technologies, including the introduction of metal tools, transformed ornament production while Indigenous communities maintained long-standing traditions of craftsmanship and identity. Spencer and Alexis also discuss what archaeological collections can reveal beyond archaeology, including ancient freshwater mussel ecology, and how the River Bend site offers a unique window into technological innovation, trade, and Indigenous adaptation on the eighteenth-century Great Plains.

Article Citation:

Pelton, S. R., Eckles, D. G., Johnen, C. C., Shimek, R., Kirkwood, D. R., Hollander, A., & Buff, C. (2025). Early eighteenth century plains Indian adornment at the River Bend Site, Wyoming. Plains Anthropologist, 70(273), 3–28.