PINEDALE – On first glance, the mountainous landscapes of northern Mongolian are lookalikes for the ranges of Wyoming. On second glance, a handful of tipis of canvas wrapped around lodge poles mark the modern Mongolian landscape, much as the Plains Indians’ tipis of the historic west.

With northern Mongolian reindeer herders still clinging to a traditional nomadic lifestyle, University of Wyoming’s Archaeology department head Dr. Todd Surovell traveled to the taiga tundra over five years to see how, where and when these people use tools and place themselves in their camps, looking for connections to prehistoric sites around Wyoming.

Surovell addressed about 70 people Tuesday night at the Sublette BOCES Pinedale Speaker Series about his experiences traveling hundreds of miles – at the far end on reindeer without roads – and about the people he met along the way. As for his research and findings, Surovell is writing a book.

Surovell’s talk is part of a series put together by Sublette BOCES’ Director John Anderson and staff. The events are free and open to the public with a light meal provided.

The next Pinedale Speaker event, 6 to 8 p.m., on Thursday, Feb. 28, is “An Evening with Kathryn Mapes Turner.” Turner, an accomplished watercolorist and oil painter, grew up on the family’s Triangle X Ranch north of Jackson and has owned an art gallery for more than 15 years.

For more about Sublette BOCES’ events and classes, visit www.subletteboces.com.