SIOUX FALLS – Pipestone National Monument, Pipestone, Minn., is a place that is important as a source of stone long used by Native Americans to fashion into pipes and other items.

In addition to its famous quarries, the monument has a rich historical and archeological heritage. The history of its archeological investigation, beginning in the 19th century, is reviewed, with emphasis on the story of the petroglyphs, or images pecked into Sioux quartzite outcrops within the park.

“Mysteries in Stone: The Pipestone Petroglyphs” is the title of an illustrated lecture by retired National Park Service archeologist Tom Thiessen on Sunday, February 15, at 2:00 p.m. in the Gilbert Science Center auditorium. This Third Sunday Archeology Presentation is funded in part by Augustana College’s Mellon Fund Committee, Augustana’s Archeology Laboratory, and the Sioux Falls Chapter of the South Dakota Archaeological Society.

The talk is open to the public and will be followed by a question/answer session. Refreshments will be served.

Bruce Conley
Director News Information
Phone: 605.274.5526
Fax: 605.274.4903
bruce.conley@augie.edu