Mark Tveskov

Professor of archeology and ethnohistory at Southern Oregon University

Maxville, OR

September 19th, 2025

Standing in a dry field surrounded by sparse pines and grasses, we are instructed to look down at the dry soil beneath our feet. As I scan the ground, small bits of glass and metal glint towards me in the sun, I pick them up to read the lettering of an old jar that I’m told is from the early 1900s.

Mark Tveskov, an archaeologist, stands before our group. He is telling us about the history of the site we are standing on. The Maxville Heritage site, located in Wallowa County, was a segregated logging camp 100 years ago. When it was shut down in the 1930s, residents left behind artifacts like bottles, tools, and even cars.

Mark is part of Maxville’s mission to educate people in Wallowa and beyond about a forgotten part of history. He teaches archeology and ethnohistory at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, where his mission is to preserve historical memory. Colonialism, ecology, and conflict archaeology are his concentrated areas of study, which we saw in the nuanced and introspective way he guided us through the site. In explaining the history of this site, he encouraged us to observe our own behaviors interacting with the historic objects. Our time with Mark taught the group how we can work towards preserving history in a respectful and conscientious way.

by Wilson Finlay