11th Biennial
Fall 2026
Free and open to all
Sign up for email updates!
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Southern Nevada, Southeastern California, Southwestern Utah, and Western Arizona
THEME:
Resilience—one word, yet infinite in its depth and resonance within the field of archaeology. It speaks not only to survival, but to the enduring capacity of humankind to adapt, to transform, and to persevere across time. The individuals and cultural groups of the past, whose legacies we uncover, were not static figures in history—they were agents of resilience, navigating shifting landscapes, social upheavals, and existential trials. Their stories, preserved in the archaeological record and oral and written histories, reflect a resilient spirit that lives on through the material practices connecting past and present communities.
Archaeology itself, as a discipline, mirrors this resilience. Faced with new technologies, ethical responsibilities, administrative challenges, and evolving understandings of the past, it too adapts—reframing questions, reimagining methods, and reshaping its own identity. Thus, resilience is not merely a trait of those we study; it is a continuous thread that binds the past to the present, and propels us toward a more reflective and responsive future.
PURPOSE:
As archaeological study in the region continues to grow, professionals, students, researchers, and avocationalists need to meet and discuss their findings. This conference provides a venue for the development and refinement of regional theory, methodologies, and management goals as well as an opportunity to connect with regional specialists.
FORMAT:
This conference is usually held in a one room amphitheater with 12-15 minute presentations and one or more panel discussions. We will also be arranging activities such as lab tours, speed networking with a professional archaeologist, and a post conference social.
ORGANIZERS:
UNLV and members of the Southern Nevada Agency Partnership Cultural Resource Team (SNAP CRT) Bureau of Reclamation, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, USDA Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada Site Stewardship Program, Springs Preserve, Lost City Museum, and Nevadans for Cultural Preservation.