The Center for American Paleolithic Research is a nonprofit 501(c)(3), registered in South Dakota as an archaeological research center dedicated to discovering evidence of the earliest humans in the Americas.
To achieve this goal we are systematically investigating geologic deposits that are more than 15,000 years old, reexamining museum collections and performing archaeological experiments.
Our research team is directed by Steven R. Holen, PhD., an archaeologist with more than forty years in Paleoindian archaeology.
What We Do
Fieldwork and Geoarchaeology
Field research is central to CAPR’s effort to find evidence of early people in the Americas. Through systematic identification, survey and excavation of sedimentary deposits older than 15,000 years we are actively searching for and testing new sites for evidence of early humans. We do not limit ourselves to the search for stone tools. Instead we look for the full range of human behavioral and technological indicators. CAPR provides support to professional and student archaeologists who share our research goals.
Experimental Archaeology
Understanding ancient technologies is sometimes difficult because natural processes occasionally mimic human stone and bone technology. Experimental archaeology informs us about how humans produced the technological patterns visible in the archaeological record. CAPR maintains an active experimental archaeology program focusing on bone modification.
Museum Collections Research
Curated museum collections provide another valuable source of research data. CAPR archaeologists reevaluate museum collections for evidence and apply new analytic techniques. We also work closely with avocational archaeologists. Both museum and avocational collections have led us to new sites that contain evidence of early humans in the Americas.
Center for American Paleolithic Research 
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