RLA Efforts to Preserve Indian Culture and History in North Carolina
The Research Laboratories of Archaeology are helping to establish the National Historic Trail of Tears in the North Carolina mountains. This trail will help preserve a historic site of national significance and provide support for tourism in an economically depressed area. The Laboratories have also developed a program to reintroduce traditional pottery styles to contemporary Cherokee artisans that will preserve an ancient tradition while it invigorates markets for contemporary Indian works. The Laboratories have also published an online compendium of elementary school lesson plans on archaeology and Indian history.