Running Rat Studio

04/04/2025

Incredible! ❤️

One of the downsides of doing sensitive work is that it often cannot be discussed. That is indeed the case for a just-completed Archaeo-Physics project in Hawaii. All I can reveal is that 153,750 linear meters (95.5 miles) of ground penetrating radar data were collected over the course of a month during a successful conflict archaeology project. What I can say is that after the field work was complete, I had a chance to spend the day with this guy for the first time since we left the USMC infantry 35 years ago.
We patrolled through jungles, deserts and mountains together. Jumped out of helicopters and scuba dove in the Pacific. Froze nearly to death in the Sierra Nevadas and on Mt Fuji. Got stung by hornets and scorpions on patrol in Honduras together. Narrowly escaped getting kidnapped by insurgents in the PI. Explored Naha, Pusan, Pohang, Seoul, Olongapo and Tokyo together. Survived Korean mountain warfare and Filipino jungle warfare schools together. Dangled our feet out the ship's chain locker in the south Pacific, watching the flying fish together. Cooked and ate desert tortoises and rattlesnakes in the Mohave together, and lots of fish from the surf at San Onofre. And after all those years, I had a chance to learn about respectful and sustainable Polynesian agroforestry farming of animate, ancestral lands. All-in-all a successful project for this veteran-owned business, and an incredible learning experience.

02/16/2025

🥰

I am honored to have been included in the Doug Birk memorial issue of the Minnesota Archaeologist. Doug was a good friend, mentor and fellow veteran who made me feel welcome in the field of archaeology. Our article was heavily influenced by conversations with Doug - and his voluminous writings. Additionally, the LiDAR methodology used during this project was first developed with Doug’s input during our study of Minnesota dam resources. A link to the article may be accessed in the comments section.

02/03/2024

😍

06/02/2023

June Voluntary Climbing Closure – We ask that climbers refrain from climbing June 1st – June 30th

The month of June holds spiritual and cultural significance for the tribes closely associated with Bear Lodge. Every June, we ask that visitors refrain from climbing in the park in order to respect the cultural traditions and values of the tribes who called the Black Hills home long before the establishment of the park in 1906.

This voluntary climbing closure is a part of our climbing management program and has been in effect every year since 1996. Due to this voluntary closure, climbing has seen an 85% decrease in the month of June and we ask that everyone continues to respect this closure this summer as well.

Although Bear Lodge remains a significant site deserving of respect during all other times of the year, June has a larger number of ceremonies with historical ties to the tower. A voluntary ban was what representatives in both the climbing and Native American communities agreed upon so that individuals had the opportunity to learn about Native American culture and choose to respect the closure.

If you are wanting to learn more about Native American culture and Bear Lodge’s significance to the tribes, visit:
go.nps.gov/reverence

What's Bear Lodge?
go.nps.gov/nametower

T.Devine/NPS Photo

06/01/2023

in 1921, white mobs set fire to Tulsa’s prosperous neighborhood of Greenwood, known as Black Wall Street. As many as 300 African Americans were killed during the Tulsa Race Massacre.

archive.archaeology.org/online/features/massacre/

(Special Collections, McFarlin Library, University of Tulsa)

04/16/2023

Dayum! 🤩 well done Heart Berry and friends!

Tonight's tifo is designed by Anishinaabe artist Sarah Agaton Howes of Heart Berry, in honor of Native American Heritage Night.

04/05/2023

The work before the work begins...

04/04/2023

Wrapping up my "winter residency" at the Superior National Forest Headquarters in Duluth, MN this week! Its been a real honor to go through the Forest's collections and illustrate some sensitive items for image distribution with the goal of repatriation.
I hope to come back next year as there is A LOT more work to be done! Till then, cheers!

03/20/2023

Likely the oldest artifact in the Superior National Forest collection, this is a fractured base of a Folsom point dating around 8000-9000 BCE.
This expertly formed and elegant little number was truly a work of art. When you hold it in your hand you can almost hear the gentle sounds of this long gone crafter flint-knapping.
*Tap tap tap... tap tap SNAP!... "S #%&"

03/18/2023

This disturbing story hits very close to home. My heart goes out to this talented burial recovery crew EVERY DAY we continue to wait for justice.

A crew of mostly Indigenous workers faced inhumane conditions at a burial recovery site in northern Minnesota. They refuse to give up fighting for justice.

03/15/2023

😍

03/14/2023

Now go do that ulu that you do so welllllll!