The Archaeology Whistleblower: Scott Ashcraft | SAAJ 88
Release Date: 05/16/2026
The Archaeology Whistleblower: Scott Ashcraft | SAAJ 88
Seven Ages Audio Journal
In this episode, the team discusses a new paper on why Clovis hunter/gatherers selected certain types of stone for their points and blades. Then the team welcomes archaeologist Scott Ashcraft to discuss his complex federal whistleblower case against the U.S. Forest Service. Scott Ashcraft attended Western Carolina University, earning a degree in Physical Geography. In the summer of 1989, he was hired for a major archaeological excavation ahead of the construction of a new elementary school within the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians' Qualla Boundary. After graduating...
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Adena: Moundbuilders of the Ohio Valley | SAAJ 87
Seven Ages Audio Journal
In this episode, the team talks with Jason Pentrail about his new two-volume set, Adena: Moundbuilders of the Ohio Valley. The books are available in hardcover and eBook formats through Amazon.com. Adena: Mound Builders of the Ohio Valley is a richly detailed, accessible exploration of one of North America’s earliest mound-building societies. Drawing on archaeology, early surveys, and modern research, these books trace the rise of the Adena people from scattered Woodland communities into a tradition defined by monumental earthworks, long-distance exchange networks, and complex...
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PaleoAmerican Odyssey | SAAJ 86
Seven Ages Audio Journal
In this episode, the team reunites to discuss news from the world of archaeology, including Pre-dynastic Egyptian drilling technology and the discovery of cordage from the end of the last Ice Age in Oregon. The team is then joined by Dr. Michael Waters to discuss the 2026 PaleoAmerican Odyssey Conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico, along with several other incredible archaeological subjects. Dr. Michael Waters is the Director of the Center for the Study of First Americans and the Executive Director of the North Star Archaeological Research Program. He is known for his expertise in...
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Archaeology and Heritage with 'The Bluff Dweller' | SAAJ 85
Seven Ages Audio Journal
In this episode, Micah and Jason discuss the latest stories from the world of archaeology. New discoveries from Turkey's Karahantepe, followed by a toxic surprise in a 2000-year-old Scythian tomb, and finally a new enigmatic discovery from Crete. The team is then joined by archaeological content creator Paul Lee from the popular Facebook and TikTok channels, "The Bluff Dweller." Paul Lee, creator of "The Bluff Dweller" on TikTok and Facebook, is a North Central Arkansas resident and dedicated advocate for Native American heritage. With a degree from the University of Arkansas, he...
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NAGPRA: History of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act | SAAJ .084
Seven Ages Audio Journal
In this episode, the conversation begins with news of a significant archaeological announcement from Egypt, believed to be associated with new findings in the Great Pyramid of Giza. Next, they discuss new findings about the Silk Road that help better understand the many unknown cities related to this essential early trade route. The team then welcomes Wyoming State Archaeologist Spencer Pelton and Professor Emeritus Robert Kelly, University of Wyoming, to discuss the details of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). Spencer Pelton became the Wyoming State...
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The Stones Are Speaking: The Gault Site | SAAJ 83
Seven Ages Audio Journal
In this episode, the team begins by discussing the fossil skull of a million-year-old human ancestor discovered in China, which may rewrite the timeline of human origins. Next, they discuss a 5000-year-old Spanish tomb that reveals ancient southwestern Europe's trade and travel routes. The team is then joined by Olive Talley, the director, producer, and writer of the new documentary film The Stones Are Speaking, which chronicles the discoveries at the famous Gault Archaeological Site in Texas. Olive Talley is an award-winning producer, writer, and journalist with a career that spans...
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Hoyo Negro and the Life of Naia | SAAJ 82
Seven Ages Audio Journal
In this episode, the Seven Ages team begins the conversation with news concerning the discovery of the Petralona skull in a cave complex in Greece. The team is then joined by returning guest James Chatters to discuss the Hoyo Negro site in Quintana Roo, Mexico. This enigmatic submerged site not only holds the remains of several new species of ground sloth but also the remains of a young girl named "Naia", the oldest (13,000 BP) complete human remains in the western hemisphere. Dr. James Chatters earned his PhD in Anthropology from the University of Washington in 1982. He is an...
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Town Creek Mound: Mound Builder Series | SAAJ 81
Seven Ages Audio Journal
In this episode, Micah and Jason begin the conversation with news of a recent study published in Nature concerning the oldest and most complete sequenced Egyptian genome. Next, the conversation turns to the recent southeastern meteor strike over Georgia and South Carolina. The team is then joined by Megan A. of the Town Creek Mound in North Carolina to discuss this unique and well-preserved Mississippian site. Town Creek Indian Mound is an unusual phenomenon in the history of North American archaeology. While most archaeological sites are investigated for a few years...
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The Ryan-Harley Site | SAAJ 80
Seven Ages Audio Journal
In this episode, the team begins with news from Colossal Biosciences concerning the de-extinction of the Dire Wolf. We are then joined by Dr. Morgan Smith for an in-depth discussion about Florida's Ryan-Harley site. This unique Suwannee site offers clues to some of the lesser-known Paleoindian technocomplexes, cultures, and habits. Dr. Morgan Smith received his PhD in Anthropology from Texas A&M University, where he studied in the Center for the Study of the First Americans. Prior to this, he worked for the Southeast Archaeological Center of the National Park Service. He has over a...
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Clovis Bone Needles at the La Prele Site | SAAJ 79
Seven Ages Audio Journal
In this episode, Micah and Jason start the discussion with news from Egypt involving the alluring scents associated with mummified remains. The discussion then turns to news from White Sands, New Mexico. Archaeologists have discovered evidence of ancient transport technology in the Americas, suggesting that early North Americans used travois-like sleds for transport nearly 22,000 years ago. The team is then joined by Wyoming State Archaeologist Spencer Pelton to discuss the latest discoveries from the La Prele, Wyoming Mammoth kill site. Spencer Pelton is the Wyoming State Archaeologist...
info_outlineIn this episode, the team discusses a new paper on why Clovis hunter/gatherers selected certain types of stone for their points and blades. Then the team welcomes archaeologist Scott Ashcraft to discuss his complex federal whistleblower case against the U.S. Forest Service.
Scott Ashcraft attended Western Carolina University, earning a degree in Physical Geography. In the summer of 1989, he was hired for a major archaeological excavation ahead of the construction of a new elementary school within the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians' Qualla Boundary.
After graduating from WCU in 1990, Ashcraft immediately enrolled in a University of North Carolina-Charlotte field school at a large WNC Mississippian site. Over the next three years, Ashcraft worked on a variety of archaeological contract projects from Mobile, AL, to New York City. During occasional work breaks, he returned to Asheville, NC, to assist Dr. David Moore with large salvage excavations at Mississippian town sites across western North Carolina.
In 1993, Ashcraft was hired by the USFS (NFsNC), beginning a 32-year CRM career that eventually broadened to include complementary research and investigative interests. In 1994, Ashcraft founded the North Carolina Rock Art Project, eventually increasing the state’s recorded petroglyph and pictograph sites from seven to more than 120. He also advanced major rock art conservation efforts, including Judaculla Rock—the most densely carved petroglyph in the eastern U.S.—and Paint Rock, among the region’s oldest pictograph sites.
Another primary career passion for Ashcraft was Wildfire Archaeology, a specialized field he helped pioneer by integrating archaeologists into active wildfire operations to assess and protect important cultural resources. This position required intensive firefighter training and physical conditioning so that archaeologists could play an active role in protecting significant sites during the often chaotic initial attack phase of fire conditions. As the specialty matured, Ashcraft was invited to co-instruct the National Interagency Fire Archaeology Course over several years.
Working closely with Tribal partners—especially the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians—was among the most meaningful aspects of his later career, including many collaborative projects important to the Cherokee.
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