Evolution & History of Horses on the Plains

Campbell County Public Library, in partnership with The Pumpkin Buttes Chapter of the Wyoming Archaeological Society, is pleased to welcome archaeologist Cody Newton to discuss Evolution & History of Horses on the Plains on Wednesday, November 13 at 6pm.

Using paleontological, archaeological, and historical information, this presentation tells the story of horses in the plains and mountains from their early evolutionary origins to historic times. The discussion will highlight recent developments in our understanding of the early horse adoption by Native American groups in this region and just how important these animals became to Native culture. 

Cody Newton is an archaeologist with over 20 years working in the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains in both academia and cultural resource management. He holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Colorado – Boulder and currently works at SWCA Environmental Services in Sheridan. Aside from horse evolution and Native American equestrianism, Dr. Newton's research interests include Paleoindian studies, bison evolution, bison-based subsistence, early European exploration, the historic Plains Indian Wars, and historic Euro-American settlement.