The praise for Dr Radosław Palonka seemed to have no end. This wasn't a mere act of politeness, but rather a sincere expression of gratitude for his work and the passion he shares every day with his students and colleagues.

On the 24^th November 2015 at 4 pm, the Collegium Maius cellars became the place of the opening event of the exhibition ‘In Search of Native American Past'. The photographs taken by Konrad Słaboński as part of an archeological project in Colorado (USA). The pioneering research project, unpreceded in the history of Polish archeology, is supervised by Dr Radosław Palonka who focused the main effort on the Sand Canyon – Castle rock region in the legendary Wild West. The research is carried by students and archeologists of the JU Institute of Archaeology in the ancient settlements built by the Pueblo culture in the 13^th century.

During the event, the research project and the preparation of the exhibition were described by Prof. Krzysztof Stopka – the director of the Jagiellonian University Museum, Prof. Andrzej Mania – the JU Vice-rector for Educational Affairs, and Prof. Krzysztof Ciałowicz – the director of the JU Institute of Archaeology. The audience was certainly surprised by the speech held in Polish by the U.S. Consul General, Walter Braunohler.

The Sand Canyon – Castle Rock research project has been conducted by the JU Institute of Archaeology since 2001. The project is realized in the ancient settlements built by the Pueblo culture in the 13^th century, located in the three scenic canyons on the border between Arizona and New Mexico.

The exhibition features photographs documenting the project research to date. The current state of documentation encompasses thirty sites with well-preserved stone architecture. The researchers employed modern techniques, including laser scanning and geophysical examination, as well as first archeological excavations. The Polish team also discovered the previously unknown examples of Nawaho, Ute, and Pueblo rock art, including paintings and petroglyphs depicting shamans, warrior, scenes of bison hunting, and clan symbols.

The exhibition will be open in the Collegium Maius cellars to the 31^st January 2015, from 9 am to nightfall. Visit us!