Missouri Basin Chronology Program Statements Nos. 1-5

This document includes the first five chronology program statements for the Missouri Basin Project. The Program, as it now stands, was developed during the winter of 1958 by the Personnel of the Missouri Basin Project, Smithsonian Institution; the laboratory of Anthropology, University of Nebraska; and the Nebraska State Historical Society; all of Lincoln, Nebraska; and the National Park Service, Region Two Office, in Omaha, Nebraska. Concern for an over-all program of chronology grew out of an attempt to select radiocarbon samples from crucial sites in the Basin. It was realized that any one-dimensional effort would not provide the sort of answers needed to solve the array of current problems. At this juncture, the feasibility of undertaking a series of integrated, region-wide, chronological studies was discussed at length. As a result, a number of committees were formed to investigate existing resources and to plan for future action. Cooperation is solicited from all institutions and individuals working in the Missouri Basin area. Enthusiastic response came from all, and 20 institutions, represented by 34 individuals, have or will have some part in the Program.