MVAC Home

Dr. Tim McAndrewsTim McAndrews is a widely recognized expert on the enigmatic Tiwanaku civilization, which emerged at an extreme elevation in the beautiful, though harsh, South American Andes. Join us as he discusses his research on Tiwanaku expansion out of the Lake Titicaca Basin and into the distant region of Cochabamba, Bolivia, nearly 1500 years ago. After a decade of research, McAndrews is turning traditional interpretations of Tiwanaku expansion upside down and argues that it was local chieftains, not Tiwanaku kings, who directed the influx of Tiwanaku culture into the Cochabamba region. Call MVAC at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean for more information.

Speaker: Dr. Timothy McAndrews, Professor, Department of Sociology/Archaeology, UW-L; MVAC Director

Projectile PointThis two-day event will feature informal presentations and displays, roundtable discussions, a lithic materials exchange, and lots of opportunities to talk. There is no registration fee. The entire event is open to archaeologists, flintknappers, collectors, students, and anyone else interested in regional lithics issues. For more information and updates, see our Web page at http://www.uwlax.edu/mvac/Lithic.htm

Dr. Dave AndersonIn November of 1922, Howard Carter made one of the most spectacular archaeological discoveries of all time––the tomb of Tutankhamen.  This discovery was not random chance, but rather the culmination of years of research and training.  This lecture will explore the career of Howard Carter, from his initial trip to Egypt as a 17-year-old artist through the discovery and excavation of Tutankhamen’s tomb.  Carter’s work will be placed within the greater context of the history of the exploration of the Valley of the Kings and the development of the discipline of archaeology in Egypt.  Finally, several controversies surrounding Carter’s work in the tomb will be discussed.  Call MVAC at 608-785-8454 or e-mailJean for more information.

Speaker: Dr. David A. Anderson, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology/Archaeology, UW-L; MVAC Research Associate

Artifact Show 2014Come to Valley View Mall and see artifacts representing the area’s long history. Local collectors will display their personal collections, and MVAC staff will bring artifacts recovered from local excavations. Archaeologists will be on hand to answer questions. Bring in your own artifacts for help in their identification. Call MVAC at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean if you would like to display your artifacts.

ExcavationIn 2012 highway construction in downtown Onalaska made national news when remains of a late pre-Contact Oneota village and cemetery site were uncovered under a busy city street.  The scale of the finds was a surprise-and a major challenge.  Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center Projects Director Katherine Stevenson will discuss the project, and how cooperation and communication between agencies, the City of Onalaska, contractors, tribal representatives, and archaeologists was the key to a successful outcome.

Speaker: Dr. Katherine Stevenson, MVAC Projects Director

Heather WalderAround 250 B.C., Ashoka Maurya was a dynamic ruler whose influence extended throughout most parts of modern-day South Asia. Archaeologists have uncovered inscriptions on rocks and pillars that are said to mark the boundaries of his empire. This lecture presents information on a group of inscriptions in the South Indian state of Karnataka, as well as the results of an experimental project to replicate an “Ashokan Edict.” Detailed investigation of inscription-carving technologies reveals information about ancient landscapes and imperial control. Call MVAC at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean for more information.

Speaker: Heather Walder, Associate Lecturer, Department of Sociology/Archaeology, UW-L; MVAC Research Associate; PhD Candidate, UW–Madison

ExcavationAt the Minnesota Archeological Society Annual Dinner Meeting MVAC archaeologists Dr. Kathy Stevenson and Dr. Connie Arzigian will share their incredible discoveries under the main street of Onalaska, Wisconsin.  Highway construction contractors and the entire town rallied around an Oneota Village uncovered below Hwy 35 in 2012.  Beneath an old railroad track, over 500 pit features with outstanding preservation of faunal remains were found.  There may be a decade of laboratory analysis ahead, but Kathy and Connie will tell their incredible story and bring some of the artifacts to view.  For more information visit the Minnesota Archaeological Society's website at:http://mnarchsociety.org/index.html.

Speaker: Dr. Katherine Stevenson, MVAC Projects Director and Dr. Connie Arzigian, MVAC Senior Research Associate; A

A variety of activities will be offered throughout the state during May to introduce the public to Wisconsin’s long and rich cultural past. For a complete list of activities check out the Wisconsin Historical Society’s web site athttp://www.wisconsinhistory.org/hp/hpweek/index.asp.

Volunteer Field Survey 2014MVAC will celebrate Wisconsin Archaeology Month by involving volunteers in surveys of local fields to find unreported archaeological sites. The day will begin with an introduction at the archaeology laboratory, followed by helping with an actual field survey. Participants will end the day back at the lab to wash the artifacts recovered and learn more about their history. The number of participants is limited, so register early. Children may participate if accompanied by an adult. Call MVAC at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean to register.

Fee: Free admission for MVAC members. 

Advanced registration required!

Bad Axe River ValleyExplore a property that has been managed to restore the land to the vegetation at the time of European settlement in the 1700s. Seeing remnant oaks on the hill, landowners Jim Theler and Suzanne Harris started removing non-native and invasive plants and trees on the top of the hill after purchasing the property in 2003. Once they had removed a pine plantation, a lot of ironwood, juniper and shrubs, they started a program of prescribed burns. Soon the remnant seeds in the soil sprouted, re-establishing a savanna and prairie understory. The oak and hardwood savanna was maintained by Native Americans with regular burning. Both Jim and Suzanne are archeologists, and their digs on the property have proven that rock shelters near the top of the hill have been used for human habitation over the last several thousand years. The site, called Cade Mound, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Click here for directions and more information.

Discover the unique cultures of the Maya, Inca, and Aztecs of Mesoamerica and South America. These early Americans built spectacular buildings, and had a written language and complex warrior rituals. Hands-on activities will include writing hieroglyphics, making a mask, and more! Cancellations prior to June 6 will receive a full refund minus a $40 cancellation fee. No refunds for cancellations after June 6.

Age: Students entering grades 4-6
Fee: $80
Note: Bring a lunch, drink, snacks and water bottle.
Program Number: 84-43

For registration information please contact the:
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Office of Continuing Education and Extension
608-785-6504
Online registration at:  http://www.uwlax.edu/conted/youth/archaeology.html

For information on activity content please contact:
MVAC's Public Outreach Program at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean.

ExcavationThis overflow-hidden field and lab experience is a well-rounded opportunity for those who want to learn about the process of archaeology. Work alongside professional archaeologists on an actual archaeological excavation and survey work. Lab work may include washing and sorting ceramics, stone tools, and other remains. An experimental archaeology component may explore making stone tools and using an atlatl (spearthrower). Optional lab hours and local field trips will be available after regular field school hours. No previous experience is necessary.

This experience is open to high school students through adults. Fee includes a one-year MVAC membership. Supervised dorm facilities are available for high school students at an additional cost of $225 for 3 days and $335 for 5 days. Cancellation prior to May 23 will receive a full refund minus a $100 cancellation fee. No refunds for cancellations after May 23.

Fee: $350
Program Number: 84-44

For registration information please contact the:
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Office of Continuing Education and Extension
608-785-6504
Online registration at:  http://www.uwlax.edu/conted/youth/archaeology.html

For information on activity content please contact:
MVAC's Public Outreach Program at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean.

ExcavationThis overflow-hidden field and lab experience is a well-rounded opportunity for those who want to learn about the process of archaeology. Work alongside professional archaeologists on an actual archaeological excavation and survey work. Lab work may include washing and sorting ceramics, stone tools, and other remains. An experimental archaeology component may explore making stone tools and using an atlatl (spearthrower). Optional lab hours and local field trips will be available after regular field school hours. No previous experience is necessary.

This experience is open to high school students through adults. Fee includes a one-year MVAC membership. Supervised dorm facilities are available for high school students at an additional cost of $225 for 3 days and $335 for 5 days. Cancellation prior to May 23 will receive a full refund minus a $100 cancellation fee. No refunds for cancellations after May 23.

Fee: $500
Program Number: 84-45

For registration information please contact the:
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Office of Continuing Education and Extension
608-785-6504
Online registration at:  http://www.uwlax.edu/conted/youth/archaeology.html

For information on activity content please contact:
MVAC's Public Outreach Program at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean.

Explore MVAC’s Archaeology Lab and work with artifacts recovered from area excavations as an introduction to the science of archaeology. Discover how the first Native Americans in Wisconsin survived using the area’s natural resources. Students must take this class in order to attend the Middle School Field Experience. Cancellations prior to June 6 will receive a full refund minus a $40 cancellation fee. No refunds for cancellations after June 6.

Age: Students entering grades 5-9
Fee: $80
Note: Bring a lunch, drink, snacks, and a water bottle.
Program Number: 84-41

For registration information please contact the:
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Office of Continuing Education and Extension
608-785-6504
Online registration at:  http://www.uwlax.edu/conted/youth/archaeology.html

For information on activity content please contact:
MVAC's Public Outreach Program at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean.

Take your excitement for archaeology into the field! Students who have taken the Introduction to Archaeology class in the past can join a La Crosse area project. Participants will work alongside professional archaeologists in the field. Activities may include shovel testing or small-scale excavations. Weather may require alternate activities. Cancellations prior to June 6 will receive a full refund minus an $80 cancellation fee. No refunds for cancellations after June 6.

Age: Students entering grades 5-9
Fee: $200 (includes travel fee)
Note: Bring a lunch, drink, snacks, water bottle, insect repellent, sun screen. Wear comfortable walking shoes and clothes that can get dirty.
Program Number: 84-42

For registration information please contact the:
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Office of Continuing Education and Extension
608-785-6504
Online registration at:  http://www.uwlax.edu/conted/youth/archaeology.html

For information on activity content please contact:
MVAC's Public Outreach Program at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean.

ScreeningSee what the MVAC Public Field School participants have been doing this summer! Stop by on Thursday, June 26 between 10 am and 2 pm at the Skumsrud Heritage Farm to see the ongoing fieldwork, and collections of materials that have been recovered in the past. In case of rain, we'll be inside working with the collections.  The Skumsrud Heritage Farm is located 1/2 mile west of Coon Valley, WI on Hwy 14/61.  Call MVAC at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean for more information.

Exploring the Past: Archaeology in the Upper Mississippi River Valley

July 14 through August 1, 2014

View more information

Dr. Connie Arzigian of the Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse will lead a one hour program in which people of all ages may explore artifacts and replicas from four different time periods of Wisconsin’s prehistory and will use these pieces to create stories of the past. This hands-on, family-friendly program investigates how others interacted with this landscape before us. The program will be held inside the Visitor Center. For more information, contact the La Crosse District Office at 608-779-2399.

Speaker: Dr. Connie Arzigian, MVAC Senior Research Associate; Associate Professor, Department of Sociology/Archaeology, UW-L

Dr. James Theler will talk about the pre-historic uses of Upper Mississippi River mussels by American Indians, and the historic uses of these mussels by the shell button industry and the cultured pearl industry. Read more:https://www.facebook.com/events/1494949274076910/?ref=22.

Speaker: Dr. James Theler, MVAC Senior Research Associate; Professor Emeritus, Dept. of Sociology/Archaeology

Historic uses of freshwater mussels of the Upper Mississippi – Archaeological recovery of mussels, biogeographic implications, historic pearl rushes, the shell button industry, and cultured pearls will be discussed.

Speaker: Dr. James Theler, MVAC Senior Research Associate; Professor Emeritus, Dept. of Sociology/Archaeology

Dr. GrilloApproximately 5,000 years ago, the first group of cattle herders in eastern Africa moved into the Turkana Basin of northwestern Kenya. This group built large megalithic “pillar sites” at several places surrounding Lake Turkana, and these pillar sites have intrigued archaeologists for nearly fifty years. New excavations reveal that many of these sites were large communal cemeteries. This talk will detail these exciting results, and will conclude with discussion about the enduring legacy of the pillar-site builders.  Call MVAC at 608-785-8454 or e-mail for more information.

Speaker: Dr. Katherine Grillo, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology/Archaeology, UW-L; MVAC Research Associate

Dr. Constance Arzigian will lead an activity for kids where they can discover how early Native people lived by examining artifacts from four different time periods, dating as far back as the end of the ice age. For more information visit: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/whitewater/calendar.html.

Presenter: Dr. Connie Arzigian, MVAC Senior Research Associate; Associate Lecturer, Dept. of Sociology/Archaeology

The archaeology of Silver Mound: Breaking rocks for 13,000 years. People have been visiting Silver Mound, near Hixton, WI, since the end of the ice age. What has been drawing them there? From how far away did they travel? What did they do there? How do we know all this? Learn about this important site and see a display of some of the materials that have been found there, including some of the oldest artifacts in the state.

Speaker: Dr. Connie Arzigian, MVAC Senior Research Associate; Lecturer, Dept. of Sociology/Archaeology

Dr. Jessi HalliganFor most of the twentieth century, scientists were sure they knew how and when the Americas were first colonized. We thought that the first people entered the New World during the last Ice Age (around 14,000 years ago) using the Bering Land Bridge that connected Asia to Alaska. They then followed mammoths and other big game into North America through an “ice-free corridor” between the enormous glaciers that covered most of Canada. Once they emerged south of the glaciers, they rapidly spread south and east to cover the entire continent by 13,000 years ago.  Over the past decade, new research has provided challenges to every portion of this narrative, indicating that the story of the peopling of the Americas is both much more complex and much more interesting than we originally thought. This talk will present some of the archaeological data that have challenged this theory and will discuss why we still do not know exactly what happened, even after a century of research.  Call MVAC at 608-785-8454 or e-mail for more information.

Speaker: Dr. Jessi Halligan, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology/Archaeology, UW-L; MVAC Research Associate

Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center is a Collaborating Organization for the Archaeological Institute of America’s International Archaeology Day on Saturday, October 18, 2015.  MVAC’s International Archaeology Day event will be Dr. Jessi Halligan’s lecture on Tuesday, October 14.   For more information about the day visit: http://www.archaeological.org/archaeologyday.

Constance Arzigian. Photo by Pa Moua-Yang. University Communications.Dr. Constance Arzigian from the Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center will be at the Hatch Public Library in Mauston, WI to share information and artifacts related to archaeology in Wisconsin.  Learn what archaeologists do in Wisconsin, see and hold real Native American artifacts from our region of the State, find out what to do if you find a bone in your yard, and ask questions.

Dr. James ThelerDr. James Theler, Professor Emeritus, UW-L Department of Sociology and Archaeology, has spent over thirty years studying past peoples and past environments of the Midwest, and has a wealth of experience in the Coulee Region. His entertaining talk will offer an insider’s perspective on regional research and fascinating archaeological discoveries throughout this time. Call MVAC at 608-785-8454 or e-mail for more information.

Speaker: Dr. James Theler, MVAC Senior Research Associate; Professor Emeritus, Dept. of Sociology/Archaeology

Dr. John HawksThe origin of our species was surprisingly complex. We have within us the genes of ancient Africans, Neandertals, and a mysterious population known as the Denisovans. Only a relative handful of genetic changes mark humans today as different from these ancient people. So how did the characteristics of modern humans, including complex social systems, symbolic thought, and language, evolve? New discoveries point in a surprising direction: Modern humans used a diversity of genes in a common social environment to bootstrap themselves to humanity. With the origin of modern human behavior, cultural evolution began to direct our genetic evolution, with rapid and unprecedented results.   

Professor John Hawks is an expert on human evolution and genetics, best known for his work demonstrating the recent rapid evolution of humans within the past 10,000 years and for exploring the contribution of ancient Neandertals to the ancestry of people living today. He has done fieldwork in Africa, Asia, and Europe, combining skeletal evidence from fossils with new information from genetics to uncover how humans evolved. His weblog is one of the top international resources on human evolution and genetics.  Call MVAC at 608-785-8454 or e-mail for more information.

Speaker: Dr. John Hawks, Associate Professor of Anthropology, UW–Madison

Artifact ShowCome to Valley View Mall and see artifacts representing the area’s long history. Local collectors will display their personal collections, and MVAC staff will bring artifacts recovered from local excavations. Archaeologists will be on hand to answer questions. Bring in your own artifacts for help in their identification. Call MVAC at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean if you would like to display your artifacts.

Mastodon bones. Stone tools. Engraved pottery. What do these items have in common? These artifacts provide a glimpse into the lives of early peoples in the Brice Prairie area, weaving a story of what attracted people to this area, how they utilized the land, and how their lives compare to ours today. An illustrated talk by Dr. Connie Arzigian, archaeologist at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center, will discuss how people lived in this area, used the local resources, and how their way of life changed over time. Examples of different tools and pottery will be on display. This program will be best enjoyed by teens and adults.  For more information, contact the La Crosse District Office at (608) 779-2399 or visit the Visitor Center, located at N5727 County Road Z, Onalaska, WI.

Dr. Brian FaganThe Attacking OceanDr. Fagan will be talking about his latest book, The Attacking Ocean: The Past, Present and Future of Rising Sea Levels, which focuses on rising global sea levels, showing how societies of the past adapted to rising waters and how the rising sea levels of today impact the lives of millions of city dwellers and farmers around the world.

Brian Fagan is a leading authority on the complex relationship between the environment, climate change and human society. Fagan has 46 books under his belt, including eight college textbooks familiar to two generations of archaeology students. For audiences ranging from business executives to high school students, his works position today’s highly publicized climate crisis in a crucial historical context and describes how humans have adapted to environmental changes over the eons.

Speaker: Dr. Brian Fagan, Emeritus Professor of Anthropology at the University of California at Santa Barbara

A variety of activities will be offered throughout the state during May to introduce the public to Wisconsin’s long and rich cultural past. For a complete list of activities check out the Wisconsin Historical Society’s web site at: http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Content.aspx?dsNav=N:4294963828-4294963805&dsRecordDetails=R:CS4131.

Volunteer Field Survey 2014MVAC will celebrate Wisconsin Archaeology Month by involving volunteers in surveys of local fields to find unreported archaeological sites. The day will begin with an introduction at the archaeology laboratory, followed by helping with an actual field survey. Participants will end the day back at the lab to wash the artifacts recovered and learn more about their history. The number of participants is limited, so register early. Children may participate if accompanied by an adult. (Rain Date - Saturday, May 9, 2015) Call MVAC at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean to register.

Fee: Free admission for MVAC members. 

Advance registration required!

Constance Arzigian, Senior Research Associate at the Mississippi Valley Archeology Center, UW-La Crosse, will describe how archeologists determine during what seasons a site was occupied, what people were hunting and gathering, and how these things changed in southwestern Wisconsin over the last 10,000 years. 

The public is invited to this free program. If you have recently found arrowheads or similar artifacts and would like to ask Dr. Arzigian about them, you are welcome to bring them to the program. Weather cancellations are announced on WVRQ radio and on the Facebook page of the Vernon County Historical Society.  For additional information contact the Vernon County Historical Society.

Learn about mummies, pyramids, and the people who lived in Egypt at the time of the pharaohs! Hands-on activities will include making a mummy case and mask, and writing a message in hieroglyphics. Cancellations prior to July 3 will receive a full refund minus a $40 cancellation fee. No refunds for cancellations after July 3.

Age: Students entering grades 4-6
Fee: $80
Note: Bring a lunch, drink, snacks and water bottle.
Program Number: 84-43

For registration information please contact the:
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Office of Continuing Education and Extension
608-785-6504
Online registration at: http://www.uwlax.edu/conted/active-programs/Archaeology-Workshops/

For information on activity content please contact:
MVAC's Public Outreach Program at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean.

Field SchoolThis overflow-hidden field and lab experience is a well-rounded opportunity for those who want to learn about the process of archaeology. Work alongside professional archaeologists on an actual archaeological excavation and survey work. Lab work may include washing and sorting ceramics, stone tools, and other remains. An experimental archaeology component may explore making stone tools and using an atlatl (spearthrower). Optional lab hours and local field trips will be available after regular field school hours. No previous experience is necessary. 

This experience is open to high-school students through adults. Fee includes a one-year MVAC membership. Supervised dorm facilities are available for high-school students at an additional cost of $225 for 3 days and $335 for 5 days. Cancellation prior to June 19 will receive a full refund minus a $100 cancellation fee. No refunds for cancellations after June 19.

Fee: $350
Program Number: 84-44

For registration information please contact the:
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Office of Continuing Education and Extension
608-785-6504
Online registration at:  http://www.uwlax.edu/conted/active-programs/Archaeology-Workshops/

For information on activity content please contact:
MVAC's Public Outreach Program at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean.

Field SchoolThis overflow-hidden field and lab experience is a well-rounded opportunity for those who want to learn about the process of archaeology. Work alongside professional archaeologists on an actual archaeological excavation and survey work. Lab work may include washing and sorting ceramics, stone tools, and other remains. An experimental archaeology component may explore making stone tools and using an atlatl (spearthrower). Optional lab hours and local field trips will be available after regular field school hours. No previous experience is necessary. 

This experience is open to high-school students through adults. Fee includes a one-year MVAC membership. Supervised dorm facilities are available for high-school students at an additional cost of $225 for 3 days and $335 for 5 days. Cancellation prior to June 19 will receive a full refund minus a $100 cancellation fee. No refunds for cancellations after June 19.

Fee: $500
Program Number: 84-45

For registration information please contact the:
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Office of Continuing Education and Extension
608-785-6504
Online registration at:  http://www.uwlax.edu/conted/active-programs/Archaeology-Workshops/

For information on activity content please contact:
MVAC's Public Outreach Program at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean. 

La Crosse County Historical Society - History in a Bag: Brown Bag Lunch Series Speaker - Kathy Stevenson, Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center at UW-L. Location: Riverside Museum at 401 E. Veterans Memorial Drive, La Crosse, WI.  For more information contact 608-782-1980.

Explore MVAC’s Archaeology Lab and work with artifacts recovered from area excavations as an introduction to the science of archaeology. Discover how the first Native Americans in Wisconsin survived using the area’s natural resources. Students must take this class in order to attend the Middle School Field Experience. Cancellations prior to July 3 will receive a full refund minus a $40 cancellation fee. No refunds for cancellations after July 3.

Age: Students entering grades 5-9
Fee: $80
Note: Bring a lunch, drink, snacks, and a water bottle.
Program Number: 84-41

For registration information please contact the:
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Office of Continuing Education and Extension
608-785-6504
Online registration at:  http://www.uwlax.edu/conted/active-programs/Archaeology-Workshops/

For information on activity content please contact:
MVAC's Public Outreach Program at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean.

Middle School Field ExperienceTake your excitement for archaeology into the field! Students who have taken MVAC's Introduction to Archaeology class in the past can join a La Crosse area project. Participants will work alongside professional archaeologists in the field. Activities may include shovel testing or small-scale excavations. Weather may require alternate activities. Cancellations prior to July 3 will receive a full refund minus an $80 cancellation fee. No refunds for cancellations after July 3.

Age: Students entering grades 5-9
Fee: $200 (includes travel fee)
Note: Bring a lunch, drink, snacks, water bottle, insect repellent, sun screen. Wear comfortable walking shoes and clothes that can get dirty.
Prerequisite: MVAC's Introduction to Archaeology class
Program Number: 84-42

For registration information please contact the:
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Office of Continuing Education and Extension
608-785-6504
Online registration at:  http://www.uwlax.edu/conted/active-programs/Archaeology-Workshops/

For information on activity content please contact:
MVAC's Public Outreach Program at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean.

Field SchoolSee what the MVAC Public Field School participants have been doing! Stop by on Thursday, July 23 between 10 am and 2 pm at the Norskedalen Heritage Farm (Skumsrud) to see the ongoing fieldwork, and collections of materials that have been recovered in the past. In case of rain, we'll be inside working with the collections.  The Norskedalen Heritage Farm (Skumsrud) is located 1/2 mile west of Coon Valley, WI on Hwy 14/61.  Call MVAC at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean for more information.

atlatlW-300x238MVAC’s Connie Arzigian will be demonstrating the atlatl at the Whitewater River Valley Archaeology Festival between noon and 2 pm. Come and practice you skills with the atlatl.  The festival will celebrate the unique human history of the Whitewater River. Throughout the day there will be special speakers and presenters offering a variety of programs and activities for all ages to enjoy. Some activities will include CCC and German POW Camp walks, tours of Beaver Cemetery, archery and atlatl throwing stations, pioneer games for kids, and Smokey Bear at the Elba Fire Tower.

Directions: Located 3 miles south of Elba on State Highway 74.

More Information: call 507-932-3007.

Visit local archaeological sites and see where over 12,000 years of Native American occupation took place. The tour will start at the South Side Neighborhood Center, which is in the heart of a large village complex that thrived 350 to 700 years ago, and proceed to other archaeological sites in the area. Some of the sites include the Sanford Archaeological District, a Native American farming village that thrived from 1300 to the 1600’s. The tour will also include the mounds at Myrick Park, which are at least 1,000 years old. Tour is led by Wendy Holtz-Leith, Senior Research Archaeologist from MVAC. The tour will begin at the South Side Neighborhood Center. Parts of the tour require walking. Contact City of La Crosse Parks, Recreation & Forestry for more information. (Registration Deadline: Friday, September 11, 2015) Cost per participant: $4

Lab

The Open House will celebrate the new Department of Archaeology & Anthropology, the only department of its kind anywhere in the United States.  Department faculty and Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center staff will be there to greet visitors. Attendees will be able to view the laboratory and see material recovered during archaeological research activities in the area.  The Open House will include a cash bar and light refreshments.

Call MVAC at 608-785-8454 or e-mail for more information.

Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center is a Collaborating Organization for the Archaeological Institute of America’s International Archaeology Day on Saturday, October 17, 2015.  MVAC’s International Archaeology Day event will be Dr. Renee Friedman’s lecture on Wednesday, October 21, 2015.   For more information about the day visit: http://www.archaeological.org/archaeologyday.

Slide 1Hierakonpolis is famous as the home of the Narmer palette, recording the unification of Egypt at the beginning of the First Dynasty, 3100 B.C. But 500 years earlier, this site was already one of the largest urban centers along the Nile. On-going excavations are revealing the tombs of regional kings who expressed their power in the size of their graves, and, most interestingly, with a royal menagerie of carefully buried exotic wild animals such as elephants, leopards, and troops of baboons to take to the afterlife. The menagerie gives us a glimpse of the reality behind many artistic symbols of power from this early period.

Plundered over the millennia, until recently the actual nature of the Hierakonpolis royal burials could only be assumed, but in March 2014 the discovery of a nearly intact tomb provided a tantalizing glimpse at the complex rituals that must have surrounded the burial of these early rulers.  Even more remarkable, evidence of restoration of this tomb’s structure during the First Dynasty indicates the continued memory of, and respect paid to, the early Predynastic rulers some 500 or even 1000 years later.

Dr. Renée Friedman is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley in Egyptian Archaeology (1994) and has worked at many sites throughout Egypt since 1980. With special interest in the Predynastic, Egypt’s formative period (4000-3100BC), in 1983 she joined the team working at Hierakonpolis, the largest site of the predynastic period still extant and accessible anywhere in the Nile Valley, and went on to become the director of the Hierakonpolis Expedition in 1996. She has carried out excavations every season since that time, leading to the remarkable discoveries of breweries, temples and the elite cemetery where the early rulers of the site were buried along with an intriguing array of wild animals.  Renee is currently the Heagy Research Curator of Early Egypt at the British Museum and the author of many scholarly and popular articles about all aspects of the site of Hierakonpolis.

Call MVAC at 608-785-8454 or e-mail for more information.

Jim GallagherIreland is a country incredibly rich in well preserved and spectacular archeological sites and artifacts.   Jim Gallagher has traveled to Ireland over 20 times including most recently in June of 2015.  He has hiked hundreds of miles along the island's many walking routes and visited most of the important archaeological sites.  His talk will explain the colorful history of ancient cultures on the islands and show you lots of great photos of sites ranging from spectacular burial chambers to precipitous mountain-top forts.   He'll show artifacts ranging from Iron Age bog bodies to spectacular golden treasures.  In addition he will share with you some stories and scenic photos from his many hikes. 

Jim is Professor Emeritus in the UW-L Archaeology Department where he taught a course on the Archaeology of Ireland.  He is also a retired MVAC Executive Director.  For 15 years he organized and led hiking tours in Ireland from La Crosse.

Call MVAC at 608-785-8454 or e-mail for more information.

IMGP0452WCome to Valley View Mall and see artifacts representing the area’s long history. Local collectors will display their personal collections, and MVAC staff will bring artifacts recovered from local excavations. Archaeologists will be on hand to answer questions. Bring in your own artifacts for help in their identification. Call MVAC at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean if you would like to display your artifacts.

Download Artifact Show Poster

Ice Age Trail talk MickelsonDavid Mickelson, Ph.D., is a glacial geologist from the UW-Madison and the co-author of the book “Geology of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.” About 25,000 years ago glaciers covered more than two thirds of what is now Wisconsin, creating the glacial landforms encountered across much of the state. The 1000-mile Ice Age National Scenic Trail highlights many of these Ice Age features as it winds its way through Wisconsin. This talk will explain the formation of moraines, kettles, outwash plains, lake plains, drumlins, eskers and tunnel channels using images of modern glaciers as well as many photos and maps from Wisconsin.

Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center and UWL Department of Archaeology & Anthropology are sponsors of this event.

Jkstevenson_Katherine Stevensonoin Katherine Stevenson of the Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center as she explores the challenges and triumphs of archaeology in an urban environment. The greater La Crosse urban area is built on one of the most extensive sets of late Pre-Contact Native villages in Wisconsin. From one back yard to the next, urban archaeology is exposing glimpses of ancient village life.

maizeW-181x300For hundreds of years, spring has been a very busy time of the year for farmers in the La Crosse area.  Approximately 700 years ago, the first true farming communities were established by the Native Americans in La Crosse.  In this lecture, you will learn about the crops these farmers grew, including corn.  We will look at how corn developed from a grass in Central America to one of the most abundant food sources in the world.  We will also look at other crops that the early Native Americans grew and the exploration of wild resources.  Presenter is Wendy Holtz-Leith, research archaeologist at MVAC.

EvansArchaeology often serves as a backdrop for mystery novels and crime fiction, and the most successful examples are steeped in realism and authenticity. Join crime novelist Mary Anna Evans as she discusses her award-winning Faye Longchamp archaeological mystery series, focusing on the importance of facts in writing an entertaining story. Evans, an assistant professor of professional writing at the University of Oklahoma, credits her training in engineering for helping her write about science for a mainstream audience. Her work has been recognized for its blend of historical accuracy, literary quality, and entertainment value by numerous organizations such as the Florida Historical Society, the Mississippi Library Association, the American Booksellers Association, and others. Book signing after lecture. Call MVAC at 608-785-6473 or e-mail mvac@uwlax.edu for more information.

Download Evans Lecture Poster

A variety of activities will be offered throughout the state during May to introduce the public to Wisconsin’s long and rich cultural past. For a complete list of activities check out the Wisconsin Historical Society’s web site at: http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Content.aspx?dsNav=N:4294963828-4294963805&dsRecordDetails=R:CS4131.

May 3 Archaeology EventGary Steele’s artifact collection will be on display at the Black River Falls Public Library during the event.  Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center’s Dr. Connie Arzigian will be available to identify artifacts brought in by the public.  Susan Steele will be selling and signing copies of her new book about her father, Gary Steele entitled Alzheimer’s, Archaeology, and the Armed Forces.  Connie Arzigian and Susan Steele will be giving a presentation at 6 pm. The Black River Falls Public Library is located at 222 Fillmore St., Black River Falls, WI.

FSurvey15 5MVAC will celebrate Wisconsin Archaeology Month by involving volunteers in surveys of local fields to find unreported archaeological sites. The day will begin with an introduction at the archaeology laboratory, followed by helping with an actual field survey. Participants will end the day back at the lab to wash the artifacts recovered and learn more about their history. The number of participants is limited, so register early. Children may participate if accompanied by an adult.  Advance registration required!  Call MVAC at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean to register.

Fee: Free admission for MVAC members.

Learn how stone tools were made and how Native Americans used them. Take a nature hike through the marsh to explore food, shelter, and tools Wisconsin’s first people could have used. Try playing the chunky game and making pottery. Cancellations prior to July 1 will receive a full refund minus a $40 cancellation fee. No refunds for cancellations after July 1.

Age: Students entering grades 4-6
Fee: $80
Note: Bring a lunch, drink, snacks and water bottle.

For registration information please contact the:
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Office of Continuing Education and Extension
608-785-6504
Online registration at: http://www.uwlax.edu/conted/active-programs/Archaeology-Workshops/

For information on activity content please contact:
MVAC's Public Outreach Program at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean.

PFS2015 8This overflow-hidden field and lab experience is a well-rounded opportunity for those who want to learn about the process of archaeology. Work alongside professional archaeologists on an actual archaeological excavation and survey work. Lab work may include washing and sorting ceramics, stone tools, and other remains. An experimental archaeology component may explore making stone tools and using an atlatl (spearthrower). Optional lab hours and local field trips will be available after regular field school hours. No previous experience is necessary. 

This experience is open to high-school students through adults. Fee includes a one-year MVAC membership. Supervised dorm facilities are available for high-school students at an additional cost of $225 for 3 days. Cancellation prior to June 17 will receive a full refund minus a $100 cancellation fee. No refunds for cancellations after June 17.

Fee: $350

For registration information please contact the:
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Office of Continuing Education and Extension
608-785-6504
Online registration at:  http://www.uwlax.edu/conted/active-programs/Archaeology-Workshops/

For information on activity content please contact:
MVAC's Public Outreach Program at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean.

PFS2015 18This overflow-hidden field and lab experience is a well-rounded opportunity for those who want to learn about the process of archaeology. Work alongside professional archaeologists on an actual archaeological excavation and survey work. Lab work may include washing and sorting ceramics, stone tools, and other remains. An experimental archaeology component may explore making stone tools and using an atlatl (spearthrower). Optional lab hours and local field trips will be available after regular field school hours. No previous experience is necessary. 

This experience is open to high-school students through adults. Fee includes a one-year MVAC membership. Supervised dorm facilities are available for high-school students at an additional cost of $335 for 5 days. Cancellation prior to June 17 will receive a full refund minus a $100 cancellation fee. No refunds for cancellations after June 17.

Fee: $500

For registration information please contact the:
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Office of Continuing Education and Extension
608-785-6504
Online registration at:  http://www.uwlax.edu/conted/active-programs/Archaeology-Workshops/

For information on activity content please contact:
MVAC's Public Outreach Program at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean. 

Explore MVAC’s Archaeology Lab and work with artifacts recovered from area excavations as an introduction to the science of archaeology. Discover how the first Native Americans in Wisconsin survived using the area’s natural resources. Students must take this class in order to attend the Middle School Field Experience. Cancellations prior to July 1 will receive a full refund minus a $40 cancellation fee. No refunds for cancellations after July 1.

Age: Students entering grades 5-9
Fee: $80
Note: Bring a lunch, drink, snacks, and a water bottle.

For registration information please contact the:
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Office of Continuing Education and Extension
608-785-6504
Online registration at:  http://www.uwlax.edu/conted/active-programs/Archaeology-Workshops/

For information on activity content please contact:
MVAC's Public Outreach Program at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean.

PFS2015 19Take your excitement for archaeology into the field! Students who have taken MVAC's Introduction to Archaeology class in the past can join a La Crosse area project. Participants will work alongside professional archaeologists in the field. Activities may include shovel testing or small-scale excavations. Weather may require alternate activities. Cancellations prior to July 1 will receive a full refund minus an $80 cancellation fee. No refunds for cancellations after July 1.

Age: Students entering grades 5-9
Fee: $200 (includes travel fee)
Note: Bring a lunch, drink, snacks, water bottle, insect repellent, sun screen. Wear comfortable walking shoes and clothes that can get dirty.
Prerequisite: MVAC's Introduction to Archaeology class

For registration information please contact the:
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Office of Continuing Education and Extension
608-785-6504
Online registration at:  http://www.uwlax.edu/conted/active-programs/Archaeology-Workshops/

For information on activity content please contact:
MVAC's Public Outreach Program at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean.

DSCF3735

See what the MVAC summer Public Field School participants have been doing! Stop by on Thursday, July 21, between 10 am and 2 pm at the Norskedalen Heritage Farm (Skumsrud) to see the ongoing fieldwork and collections of materials that have been recovered in the past. In case of rain, we’ll be inside working with the collections.  The Norskedalen Heritage Farm (Skumsrud) is 1/2 mile west of Coon Valley, WI on Hwy 14/61. Check MVAC’s website for updated information at: mvac.uwlax.edu. Call MVAC at 608-785-6473 or e-mail MVAC@uwlax.edu for more information.

atlatlW-300x238MVAC’s Connie Arzigian will be demonstrating the atlatl at the Whitewater Valley Archaeology Festival between noon and 3 pm. Come and practice your skills with the atlatl.  The festival will celebrate the unique human history of the Whitewater River. Throughout the day there will be special speakers and presenters offering a variety of programs and activities for all ages to enjoy. Some activities will include tours of the former camp of the CCC and German POWs, try your hand at archery and atlatl throwing, observe traditional fire starting and flintknapping techniques, visit the Marnach pioneeer house and Smokey Bear at the Elba Fire Tower.

Directions: Located 3 miles south of Elba on State Highway 74.

More Information: call 507-932-3007 or visit http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/event.html?id=47549.

Upcoming lecture by UWL Archaeology & Anthropology Department

Sweet potatoes are a New World crop, yet we find them in prehistoric contexts in the Pacific Islands. How did they get there? Weighing evidence derived from archaeology, physical anthropology, linguistics and cultural anthropology (as well as ethnobotany, ethnohistory), this presentation concludes that the most plausible explanation is that ancient Polynesian voyagers reached the South American coast, and brought them back to Polynesia.

Presenter: Dr. Rich Scaglion, UCIS Research Professor, University of Pittsburgh, Department of Anthropology

Lecture is free and open to the public.

UWL campus map: http://www.uwlax.edu/map/index.htm

International Archaeology Day LogoMississippi Valley Archaeology Center is a Collaborating Organization for the Archaeological Institute of America’s International Archaeology Day on Saturday, October 15, 2016.  For more information about the day visit: http://www.archaeological.org/archaeologyday.

Gresens-photoWUnderstanding the daily lives of ordinary people in ancient times is a challenge for historians and archaeologists—especially when the subject is infants and children. The Romans opened a special window into the lives of these little ones by leaving information literally chiseled in stone. Ironically, most of what we know about the lives of Roman children—especially those of the lower classes—comes from funerary engravings, or epitaphs. Dr. Nicholas Gresens, Senior Lecturer in Classics at the University of Rochester–New York, will discuss the fascinating world of Roman epitaphs, comparing those of children and adults, and those of lower-class children and their wealthier peers, to explore how childhood was constructed and perceived in ancient times. Call MVAC at 608-785-6473 or e-mail mvac@uwlax.edu for more information.

Download Gresens Lecture Poster

Kathy Stevenson

Kathy Stevenson

Wendy Holtz-Leith

Wendy Holtz-Leith

Archaeologists Kathy Stevenson and Wendy Holtz-Leith will discuss the site, including excavations at the Great River Landing location last summer. Stevenson is Operations Manager at the Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, and Holtz-Leith is an MVAC Senior Research Archaeologist. Typical artifacts from the village will be displayed.

Area residents are invited to bring local archaeological finds for identification to the meeting, which is free and open to the public.  This event is hosted by the Onalaska Area Historical Society.

Artifact ShowCome to Valley View Mall and see artifacts representing the area’s long history. Local collectors will display their personal collections, and MVAC staff will bring artifacts recovered from local excavations. Archaeologists will be on hand to answer questions. Bring in your own artifacts for help in their identification. Geri Schrab and Robert “Ernie” Boszhardt, coauthors of Hidden Thunder: Rock Art of the Upper Midwest, will be present for a book signing from noon to 3 pm.  Susan Steele, author of Alzheimer's, Archaeology, and the Armed Forces, will be present all day for a book signing.  Robert Keiper will be demonstrating flintknapping from 11 am to noon. Call MVAC at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean if you would like to display your artifacts.

Tell treesNicodemusThe Carpathian Basin lies at the nexus of major trade routes connecting the Mediterranean to the North Sea and the vast Eurasian steppes to western Europe.  Consequently, it has long played a critical role in the innovation and spread of new ideas and technologies.  One such pivotal period was the Early Bronze Age, when the region acted as a principal hub for the production and trade of valuable goods, especially metals.  At this time, the fortified tell settlement of Pecica-Şanţul Mare (Romania) emerged not only as an economic center, but also developed complex social, political, and ritual institutions, foreshadowing transformations that become hallmarks of later Bronze Age civilizations.  Dr. Amy Nicodemus is an Assistant Professor in the UWL, Department of Archaeology & Anthropology and a MVAC Research Associate.  Call MVAC at 608-785-6473 or e-mail mvac@uwlax.edu for more information.

MVAC’s Connie Arzigian will be presenting interactive archaeology activities at the La Crosse County Historical Society’s Night at the Museum.  Activities are designed for preschool and elementary age children and their families.  For more information visit: http://www.lchshistory.org/calendar-of-events/2017/4/28/night-at-the-museum

AtlatlA variety of activities will be offered throughout the state during May to introduce the public to Wisconsin’s long and rich cultural past. For a complete list of activities check out the Wisconsin Historical Society’s web site at: http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Content.aspx?dsNav=N:4294963828-4294963805&dsRecordDetails=R:CS4131.

May 3 Archaeology EventGary Steele’s artifact collection will be on display at the Black River Falls Public Library during the event.  Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center’s Dr. Connie Arzigian will be available to identify artifacts brought in by the public.  Susan Steele will be selling and signing copies of her new book about her father, Gary Steele entitled Alzheimer’s, Archaeology, and the Armed Forces.  Connie Arzigian and Woodrow White will be giving a presentation at 5:30 pm. The Black River Falls Public Library is located at 222 Fillmore St., Black River Falls, WI.

Field SurveyMVAC will celebrate Wisconsin Archaeology Month by involving volunteers in surveys of local fields to find unreported archaeological sites. The day will begin with an introduction at the archaeology laboratory, followed by helping with an actual field survey. Participants will end the day back at the lab to wash the artifacts recovered and learn more about their history. The number of participants is limited, so register early. Children may participate if accompanied by an adult.  Rain date: Saturday, May 13, 2017.  Advance registration required!  Call MVAC at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean to register.

Fee: Free admission for MVAC members.

What’s the difference between a geologist, archaeologist and paleontologist? You’ll find out by taking this introduction to the sciences. Check out real artifacts and fossils from Wisconsin and learn about past people, dinosaurs, rocks and the earth. Hands-on activities emphasized.  Cancellations prior to June 30 will receive a full refund minus a $40 cancellation fee.  No refunds for cancellations after June 30.

Age: Students entering grades 4-6
Fee: $80
Note: Bring a lunch, drink, snacks and water bottle.

For registration information please contact the:
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Office of Continuing Education and Extension
608-785-6500
Online registration at: http://www.uwlax.edu/conted/archaeology-workshops

For information on activity content please contact:
MVAC's Public Outreach Program at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean.

Link to MVAC youth scholarship information.  (PDF)

ExcavatingThis overflow-hidden field and lab experience is a well-rounded opportunity for those who want to learn about the process of archaeology. Work alongside professional archaeologists on an actual archaeological excavation and survey work. Lab work may include washing and sorting ceramics, stone tools, and other remains. An experimental archaeology component may explore making stone tools and using an atlatl (spearthrower). Optional lab hours and local field trips will be available after regular field school hours. No previous experience is necessary.

This experience is open to high-school students through adults. Fee includes a one-year MVAC membership. Supervised dorm facilities are available for high-school students at an additional cost of $225 for 3 days and $335 for 5 days. Cancellation prior to June 16 will receive a full refund minus a $100 cancellation fee. No refunds for cancellations after June 16.

Fee: $350

For registration information please contact the:
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Office of Continuing Education and Extension
608-785-6500
Online registration at:  http://www.uwlax.edu/conted/archaeology-workshops

For information on activity content please contact:
MVAC's Public Outreach Program at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean.

Link to MVAC youth scholarship information.  (PDF)

ExcavatingThis overflow-hidden field and lab experience is a well-rounded opportunity for those who want to learn about the process of archaeology. Work alongside professional archaeologists on an actual archaeological excavation and survey work. Lab work may include washing and sorting ceramics, stone tools, and other remains. An experimental archaeology component may explore making stone tools and using an atlatl (spearthrower). Optional lab hours and local field trips will be available after regular field school hours. No previous experience is necessary.

This experience is open to high-school students through adults. Fee includes a one-year MVAC membership. Supervised dorm facilities are available for high-school students at an additional cost of $225 for 3 days and $335 for 5 days. Cancellation prior to June 16 will receive a full refund minus a $100 cancellation fee. No refunds for cancellations after June 16.

Fee: $500

For registration information please contact the:
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Office of Continuing Education and Extension
608-785-6500
Online registration at:  http://www.uwlax.edu/conted/archaeology-workshops

For information on activity content please contact:
MVAC's Public Outreach Program at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean. 

Link to MVAC youth scholarship information.  (PDF)

Explore MVAC’s Archaeology Lab and work with artifacts recovered from area excavations as an introduction to the science of archaeology. Discover how the first Native Americans in Wisconsin survived using the area’s natural resources. Students must take this class in order to attend the Middle School Field Experience. This program takes place in the classroom.  It does not include excavation activities. Cancellations prior to June 30 will receive a full refund minus a $40 cancellation fee. No refunds for cancellations after June 30.

Age: Students entering grades 5-9
Fee: $80
Note: Bring a lunch, drink, snacks, and a water bottle.

For registration information please contact the:
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Office of Continuing Education and Extension
608-785-6500
Online registration at:  http://www.uwlax.edu/conted/archaeology-workshops

For information on activity content please contact:
MVAC's Public Outreach Program at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean.

Link to MVAC youth scholarship information.  (PDF)

ExcavatingTake your excitement for archaeology into the field! Students who have taken MVAC’s Introduction to Archaeology class in the past can join a La Crosse area project. Participants will work alongside professional archaeologists in the field. Activities may include shovel testing or small-scale excavations. Weather may require alternate activities. Cancellations prior to June 30 will receive a full refund minus an $80 cancellation fee. No refunds for cancellations after June 30.

Age: Students entering grades 5-9
Fee: $200 (includes travel fee)
Note: Bring a lunch, drink, snacks, water bottle, insect repellent, sun screen. Wear comfortable walking shoes and clothes that can get dirty.
Prerequisite: MVAC's Introduction to Archaeology class

For registration information please contact the:
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Office of Continuing Education and Extension
608-785-6500
Online registration at:  http://www.uwlax.edu/conted/archaeology-workshops

For information on activity content please contact:
MVAC's Public Outreach Program at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean.

Link to MVAC youth scholarship information.  (PDF)

ExcavatingSee what the MVAC summer Public Field School participants have been doing! Stop by on Thursday, July 20, between 10 am and 2 pm.  The Open House will be held at Goose Island County Park, on the Mississippi River just south of La Crosse.  We will be working at Hunters Point boat landing prior to some park improvements.  Previous investigations at the site found artifacts from a Woodland campsite-flakes and some grit-tempered pottery.  We may also investigate a nearby Historic Euro-American cabin/homestead site.  Links to map/directions to Goose Island and Hunters Point (located 1.3 miles south of the campground office/entry.  Call MVAC at 608-785-6473 or e-mail MVAC@uwlax.edu for more information.

AtlatlMVAC’s Connie Arzigian will be demonstrating the atlatl at the Whitewater Valley Archaeology and History Festival between noon and 3 pm. Come and practice your skills with the atlatl. The festival will celebrate the fascinating history of the Whitewater Valley. Through demonstrations, hands-on activities and special guest presenters, visitors will be transported back in time. Try your hand at archery or atlatl throwing. Try paddling a canoe or starting a fire with flint and steel. Tour the former camp of the Civilian Conservation Corps and the German POWs who stayed here. Visit the historic Marnach House or take a selfie with Smokey Bear at the Elba Fire Tower. Pick up a schedule of the day's activities at the park office.

Directions: Located 3 miles south of Elba on State Highway 74.

More Information: call 507-932-3007 or visit http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/calendar/app?jsp=/templates/event.jsp&id=52823.

This day-long senior bus excursion offers numerous stops including a short stop at Perrot State Park where MVAC’s Wendy Holtz-Leith will discuss the early people of the area.  The excursion is offered by the City of La Crosse Parks, Recreation, & Forestry.  Link to more information: https://www.cityoflacrosse.org/parksandrec/calendarofevents/#event|perrot-state-park-elmaro-vinards-and-fergusons-eckers-orchards|8491

International Archaeology Day logoMississippi Valley Archaeology Center is a Collaborating Organization for the Archaeological Institute of America’s International Archaeology Day on Saturday, October 21, 2017.  For more information about the day visit: http://www.archaeological.org/archaeologyday.

In conjunction with International Archaeology Day the UWL Archaeology & Anthropology Club will be hosting a Prehistoric Technology Day.  The event will include atlatl throwing, flintknapping, pottery making, pottery firing, and pumpkin carving using flakes/stone tools.  This event is open to the public.

Tamara ThomsenTamara Thomsen

Dive into the history hidden beneath the waves with Wisconsin Historical Society's maritime archaeologist, Tamara Thomsen. Explore Wisconsin's Great Lakes shipwrecks through underwater video, historic photographs and archaeological discoveries! Learn how the Wisconsin Historical Society documents these time capsules of our maritime past. Call MVAC at 608-785-6473 or e-mail mvac@uwlax.edu for more information.

Dr. MoellerDr. MoellerGeomorphological and archaeological data from the recent fieldwork conducted at the ancient cities of Tell Edfu and Dendara provide new insights into the evolving landscape of the dynamic floodplain and its influence on the long-term development of these early urban centers. At both sites it has been possible to excavate specific areas of the settlement that had been founded directly on the natural sand and bedrock during the late Old Kingdom. At Edfu we now know that the Old Kingdom town gradually expanded westwards making best use of the flood-free zone, which can be seen by the newly excavated settlement quarter dating to the 5th Dynasty, being situated in close proximity to the much later Ptolemaic temple. Further expansion of the town occurred during the end of the Old Kingdom/early First Intermediate Period, a time that has usually been associated with political and economic crises that might have been triggered by a short term climate change. By this time the town had reached its maximum northern and western limit, which remained relatively stable for centuries to come. The ancient city Dendara also saw a major expansion at the end of the 3rd millennium BCE to the east of the temple enclosure during the First Intermediate Period, and the new fieldwork conducted at the site offers a glimpse of the organization of this new town quarter in a previously unsettled area. These two examples, Tell Edfu and Dendara, are particularly interesting since this time frame corresponds to a politically troubled period that led to a fragmented state with several power centers. However, from an urban perspective, cities in southern Egypt seem to have seen a phase of expansion during this time. This presentation will also further examine the layout and organization of the respective town quarters at Edfu and Dendara.

Dr. Nadine Moeller is Associate Professor of Egyptian Archaeology, The Oriental Institute / Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, University of Chicago.

Call MVAC at 608-785-6473 or e-mail mvac@uwlax.edu for more information.

Dr. MarouardDr. MarouardSince 2011, a joint team of the Paris-Sorbonne University and the French Institute in Cairo (IFAO), supported by the CNRS and the French Ministry for Foreign Affairs, has been excavating an exceptional harbor complex from the early Old Kingdom at Wadi al-Jarf along the Egyptian coast of the Red Sea.

Considered now as the oldest harbor in the world, it was used for a short time as a departure point to the Sinai Peninsula for Royal expeditions on the way to the regions of Serabit al-Khadim and Wadi Maghara, the principal mining areas for copper and turquoise during the Pharaonic times.

According to the pottery and epigraphy, this massive installation dates back to the very beginning of the Fourth Dynasty. In 2013 the site received a special reputation after the discovery of several hundreds of fragments of narrative and administrative papyri, the oldest inscribed papyri ever discovered in Egypt so far. Some clearly name King Khufu and give important details and describe activities in close relation to the construction of the Great Pyramid at Giza.

This lecture will first focus on the latest archaeological discoveries at the Wadi al-Jarf and then provide a new overview on some of the papyri, which underline a complex organization and well-structured logistics for the royal projects and expeditions 4600 years ago.

Dr. Gregory Marouard is Research Associate in Egyptian Archaeology, The Oriental Institute, University of Chicago.

Call MVAC at 608-785-6473 or e-mail mvac@uwlax.edu for more information.

Artifact Show 2017Come to Valley View Mall and see artifacts representing the area’s long history. Local collectors will display their personal collections, and MVAC staff will bring artifacts recovered from local excavations. Archaeologists will be on hand to answer questions. Bring in your own artifacts for help in their identification. Call MVAC at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean if you would like to display your artifacts.

MVAC’s Connie Arzigian will be presenting interactive archaeology activities at the La Crosse County Historical Society’s Night at the Museum.  Activities are designed for preschool and elementary age children and their families.  Link for more information.

ExcavationA variety of activities will be offered throughout the state during May to introduce the public to Wisconsin’s long and rich cultural past. For a complete list of activities check out the Wisconsin Historical Society’s web site at: http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Content.aspx?dsNav=N:4294963828-4294963805&dsRecordDetails=R:CS4131.

Field SurveyMVAC will celebrate Wisconsin Archaeology Month by involving volunteers in surveys of local fields to find unreported archaeological sites. The day will begin with an introduction at the archaeology laboratory, followed by helping with an actual field survey. Participants will end the day back at the lab to wash the artifacts recovered and learn more about their history. The number of participants is limited, so register early. Children may participate if accompanied by an adult. Rain date: Saturday, May 12, 2018. Advance registration required!  Call MVAC at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean to register.

Fee: Free admission for MVAC members.

May 3 Archaeology EventGary Steele’s artifact collection will be on display at the Black River Falls Public Library during the event.  Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center’s Dr. Connie Arzigian will be available to identify artifacts brought in by the public.  Susan Steele will be selling and signing copies of her book about her father, Gary Steele entitled Alzheimer’s, Archaeology, and the Armed Forces.  The Black River Falls Public Library is located at 222 Fillmore St., Black River Falls, WI.

Discover the unique cultures of the Maya, Inca, and Aztecs of Mesoamerica and South America. These early Americans had spectacular buildings, written languages, and complex warrior rituals. Hands-on activities will include writing hieroglyphics, making a mask, and more! Cancellations prior to June 29 will receive a full refund minus a $40 cancellation fee. No refunds for cancellations after June 29.

Age: Students entering grades 4-6
Fee: $80
Note: Bring a lunch, drink, snacks and water bottle.

For registration information please contact the:
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Office of Continuing Education and Extension
608-785-6500
Online registration at: http://www.uwlax.edu/conted/archaeology-workshops

For information on activity content please contact:
MVAC's Public Outreach Program at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean.

Link to MVAC youth scholarship information.  (PDF)

ExcavationThis overflow-hidden field and lab experience is a well-rounded opportunity for those who want to learn about the process of archaeology. Work alongside professional archaeologists on an actual archaeological excavation and survey work. Lab work may include washing and sorting ceramics, stone tools, and other remains. An experimental archaeology component may explore making stone tools and using an atlatl (spearthrower). Optional lab hours and local field trips will be available after regular field school hours. No previous experience is necessary.

This experience is open to high school students through adults. Fee includes a one-year MVAC membership. Supervised dorm facilities are available for high school students at an additional cost of $225 for 3 days and $335 for 5 days. Cancellation prior to June 15 will receive a full refund minus a $100 cancellation fee. No refunds for cancellations after June 15.

Fee: $350

For registration information please contact the:
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Office of Continuing Education and Extension
608-785-6500
Online registration at:  http://www.uwlax.edu/conted/archaeology-workshops

For information on activity content please contact:
MVAC's Public Outreach Program at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean.

Link to MVAC youth scholarship information.  (PDF)

ExcavationThis overflow-hidden field and lab experience is a well-rounded opportunity for those who want to learn about the process of archaeology. Work alongside professional archaeologists on an actual archaeological excavation and survey work. Lab work may include washing and sorting ceramics, stone tools, and other remains. An experimental archaeology component may explore making stone tools and using an atlatl (spearthrower). Optional lab hours and local field trips will be available after regular field school hours. No previous experience is necessary.

This experience is open to high school students through adults. Fee includes a one-year MVAC membership. Supervised dorm facilities are available for high school students at an additional cost of $225 for 3 days and $335 for 5 days. Cancellation prior to June 15 will receive a full refund minus a $100 cancellation fee. No refunds for cancellations after June 15.

Fee: $500

For registration information please contact the:
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Office of Continuing Education and Extension
608-785-6500
Online registration at:  http://www.uwlax.edu/conted/archaeology-workshops

For information on activity content please contact:
MVAC's Public Outreach Program at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean. 

Link to MVAC youth scholarship information.  (PDF)

Explore MVAC’s Archaeology Lab and work with artifacts recovered from area excavations as an introduction to the science of archaeology. Discover how the first Native Americans in Wisconsin survived, using the area’s natural resources. Students must take this class in order to attend the Middle School Field Experience. This program takes place in the classroom.  It does not include excavation activities. Cancellations prior to June 29 will receive a full refund minus a $40 cancellation fee. No refunds for cancellations after June 29.

Age: Students entering grades 5-9
Fee: $80
Note: Bring a lunch, drink, snacks, and a water bottle.

For registration information please contact the:
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Office of Continuing Education and Extension
608-785-6500
Online registration at:  http://www.uwlax.edu/conted/archaeology-workshops

For information on activity content please contact:
MVAC's Public Outreach Program at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean.

Link to MVAC youth scholarship information.  (PDF)

ExcavationTake your excitement for archaeology into the field! Students who have taken MVAC’s Introduction to Archaeology class in the past can join a La Crosse area project. Participants will work alongside professional archaeologists in the field. Activities may include shovel testing or small-scale excavations. Weather may require alternate activities. Cancellations prior to June 29 will receive a full refund minus an $80 cancellation fee. No refunds for cancellations after June 29.

Age: Students entering grades 5-9
Fee: $200 (includes travel fee)
Note: Bring a lunch, drink, snacks, water bottle, insect repellent, sun screen. Wear comfortable walking shoes and clothes that can get dirty.
Prerequisite: MVAC's Introduction to Archaeology class

For registration information please contact the:
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Office of Continuing Education and Extension
608-785-6500
Online registration at:  http://www.uwlax.edu/conted/archaeology-workshops

For information on activity content please contact:
MVAC's Public Outreach Program at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean.

Link to MVAC youth scholarship information.  (PDF)

ExcavationSee what the MVAC Public Field School participants are doing this summer! Stop by on Thursday, July 19, between 10 am and 2 pm. The Open House will be held at Goose Island County Park, on the Mississippi River just south of La Crosse. Once in the park, take the road to Hunter’s Point Boat Landing. Look for the parking area on the right side of the road near Bathhouse 3 at the southern end of the campground.  You’ll see us working to the east of the parking area. Goose Island County Park map. Call MVAC at 608-785-6473 or e-mail MVAC@uwlax.edu for more information.

MVAC’s Jean Dowiasch will be offering a youth “Garbology” activity at the Vernon County Museum.  Space is limited, fee and registration required.  Link to more information. 

Throughout the event MVAC’s Jean Dowiasch will be demonstrating Native American games and have artifacts from the area’s early inhabitants on display.  Robert Keiper will also be there demonstrating flintknapping.  Link for more information.

AtlatlMVAC’s Connie Arzigian will be demonstrating the atlatl at the Whitewater Valley Archaeology and History Festival between noon and 3 pm. Come and practice your skills with the atlatl. Celebrate the fascinating history of the Whitewater Valley! Through demonstrations, hands-on activities and special guest presenters, visitors will be transported back in time. Hike the historic Elba Fire Tower or take a self-guided walk through a nearby pioneer cemetery. Try your hand at atlatl throwing, paddling a canoe or making twine from wood nettle fibers. Check out flint knapping demonstrations and the kids and play pioneer games. End the day with a guided walk around the former Civilian Conservation Corps camp and home of the German POWs who stayed here. Pick up a schedule at the park office.

Directions: Located 3 miles south of Elba on State Highway 74.

More Information: call 507-312-2300 or visit https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/event.html?id=56342

International Archaeology Day 2018 logoMississippi Valley Archaeology Center is a Collaborating Organization for the Archaeological Institute of America’s International Archaeology Day on Saturday, October 20, 2018.  Link to more information about the day.

Robert "Ernie" BoszhardtRock Art Tainter Headless HumanLidar Bird Effigy Mound

This public program will provide a summary of Robert “Ernie” Boszhardt's career in the rugged, unglaciated portion of western Wisconsin. It will review highlights of his nearly 30 years with MVAC, including discoveries such as Oneota ridged agricultural fields at Sand Lake, Paleoindian quarry complexes at Silver Mound, Tainter Cave and other rock art sites, and recognition of an Effigy Mound territorial boundary. The talk will also summarize more recent research, including continued rock art discoveries along the eastern edge of the Driftless Area, Effigy Mound discoveries in the Bad Axe Valley using LIDAR technology, and ongoing exploration of a major early Mississippian colony at Trempealeau. Copies of his books will be available.

Call MVAC at 608-785-6473 or e-mail mvac@uwlax.edu for more information.

Robert BirminghamEffigy mounds — mounds of earth sculpted in the shape of birds, bears, and other animals and figures — are concentrated in southern Wisconsin. Built between circa 700 and 1100 A.D., they were often burial places.

While researchers have learned a lot about these mounds over the years, explanations of their meaning remain elusive.

Drawing on archaeological and other anthropological information on Native American religion and worldviews, Robert A.  Birmingham, lecturer at the University of Wisconsin-Waukesha, will share the idea that often vast effigy mound arrangements are ceremonial landscapes.

Birmingham, who is a former Wisconsin State Archaeologist, says these ceremonial landscapes reflected a religious movement in which key powerful spirits were periodically animated in places where the spirits dwell to bring blessings to humans by renewing the world and to carry the dead in cycle of death and rebirth. He will also share a hypothesis for why this might have been done in a specific geographic area in the Midwest.

Now retired, he continues to write public-oriented books on various archaeological and historical and topics.

Mounds

Photo Credit: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Artifact displaysCome to Valley View Mall and see artifacts representing the area’s long history. Local collectors will display their personal collections, and MVAC staff will bring artifacts recovered from local excavations. Archaeologists will be on hand to answer questions. Bring in your own artifacts for help in their identification. Call MVAC at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean if you would like to display your artifacts.

Lecture co-sponsored by UWL Department of Archaeology & Anthropology.

Lecture by Samuel Muñoz, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Marine and Environmental Systems at Northeastern University.

Lecture is free and open to the public.

Link to campus map.

MVAC’s Connie Arzigian will be presenting interactive archaeology activities at the La Crosse County Historical Society’s Night at the Museum.  Activities are designed for preschool and elementary age children and their families.  Link for more information.

ExcavationA variety of activities will be offered throughout the state during May to introduce the public to Wisconsin’s long and rich cultural past. For a complete list of activities check out the Wisconsin Historical Society’s web site at: http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Content.aspx?dsNav=N:4294963828-4294963805&dsRecordDetails=R:CS4131.

Field SurveyMVAC will celebrate Wisconsin Archaeology Month by involving volunteers in surveys of local fields to find unreported archaeological sites. The day will begin with an introduction at the archaeology laboratory, followed by helping with an actual field survey. Participants will end the day back at the lab to wash the artifacts recovered and learn more about their history. The number of participants is limited, so register early. Children may participate if accompanied by an adult. Rain date: Saturday, May 11, 2019. Advance registration required!  Call MVAC at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean to register.

Fee: Free admission for MVAC members.

May 3 Archaeology EventGary Steele’s artifact collection will be on display at the Black River Falls Public Library during the event.  Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center’s Dr. Connie Arzigian will be available (3:30-6 pm) to identify artifacts brought in by the public.  Susan Steele will be selling and signing copies of her book about her father, Gary Steele entitled Alzheimer’s, Archaeology, and the Armed Forces.  The Black River Falls Public Library is located at 222 Fillmore St., Black River Falls, WI.

MVAC's Connie Arzigian will be demonstrating the chunkey game at Folk Life La Crosse.  Link for more event information.

Learn about mummies, pyramids, and the people who lived in Egypt at the time of the pharaohs! Hands-on activities will include making a mummy case and mask, and writing a message in hieroglyphics. Cancellations prior to June 28 will receive a full refund minus a $40 cancellation fee. No refunds for cancellations after June 28.

Age: Students entering grades 4-6
Fee: $80
Note: Bring a lunch, drink, snacks and water bottle.

For registration information please contact the:
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Office of Continuing Education and Extension
608-785-6500
Online registration at: http://www.uwlax.edu/conted/archaeology-workshops

For information on activity content please contact:
MVAC's Public Outreach Program at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean.

Link to MVAC youth scholarship information.  (PDF)

ExcavationThis overflow-hidden field and lab experience is a well-rounded opportunity for those who want to learn about the process of archaeology. Work alongside professional archaeologists on an actual archaeological excavation and survey work. Lab work may include washing and sorting ceramics, stone tools, and other remains. An experimental archaeology component may explore making stone tools and using an atlatl (spearthrower). Optional lab hours and local field trips will be available after regular field school hours. No previous experience is necessary.

This experience is open to high school students through adults. Fee includes a one-year MVAC membership. Supervised dorm facilities are available for high school students at an additional cost of $225 for 3 days and $335 for 5 days. Cancellation prior to June 14 will receive a full refund minus a $100 cancellation fee. No refunds for cancellations after June 14.

Fee: $350

For registration information please contact the:
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Office of Continuing Education and Extension
608-785-6500
Online registration at:  http://www.uwlax.edu/conted/archaeology-workshops

For information on activity content please contact:
MVAC's Public Outreach Program at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean.

Link to MVAC youth scholarship information.  (PDF)

ExcavationThis overflow-hidden field and lab experience is a well-rounded opportunity for those who want to learn about the process of archaeology. Work alongside professional archaeologists on an actual archaeological excavation and survey work. Lab work may include washing and sorting ceramics, stone tools, and other remains. An experimental archaeology component may explore making stone tools and using an atlatl (spearthrower). Optional lab hours and local field trips will be available after regular field school hours. No previous experience is necessary.

This experience is open to high school students through adults. Fee includes a one-year MVAC membership. Supervised dorm facilities are available for high school students at an additional cost of $225 for 3 days and $335 for 5 days. Cancellation prior to June 14 will receive a full refund minus a $100 cancellation fee. No refunds for cancellations after June 14.

Fee: $500

For registration information please contact the:
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Office of Continuing Education and Extension
608-785-6500
Online registration at:  http://www.uwlax.edu/conted/archaeology-workshops

For information on activity content please contact:
MVAC's Public Outreach Program at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean. 

Link to MVAC youth scholarship information. (PDF)

Explore MVAC’s Archaeology Lab and work with artifacts recovered from area excavations as an introduction to the science of archaeology. Discover how the first Native Americans in Wisconsin survived, using the area’s natural resources. Students must take this class in order to attend the Middle School Field Experience. This program takes place in the classroom.  It does not include excavation activities. Cancellations prior to June 28 will receive a full refund minus a $40 cancellation fee. No refunds for cancellations after June 28.

Age: Students entering grades 5-9
Fee: $80
Note: Bring a lunch, drink, snacks, and a water bottle.

For registration information please contact the:
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Office of Continuing Education and Extension
608-785-6500
Online registration at:  http://www.uwlax.edu/conted/archaeology-workshops

For information on activity content please contact:
MVAC's Public Outreach Program at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean.

Link to MVAC youth scholarship information.  (PDF)

ExcavationTake your excitement for archaeology into the field! Students who have taken MVAC’s Introduction to Archaeology class in the past can join a La Crosse area project. Participants will work alongside professional archaeologists in the field. Activities may include shovel testing or small-scale excavations. Weather may require alternate activities. Cancellations prior to June 28 will receive a full refund minus an $80 cancellation fee. No refunds for cancellations after June 28.

Age: Students entering grades 5-9
Fee: $200 (includes travel fee)
Note: Bring a lunch, drink, snacks, water bottle, insect repellent, sun screen. Wear comfortable walking shoes and clothes that can get dirty.
Prerequisite: MVAC's Introduction to Archaeology class

For registration information please contact the:
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Office of Continuing Education and Extension
608-785-6500
Online registration at:  http://www.uwlax.edu/conted/archaeology-workshops

For information on activity content please contact:
MVAC's Public Outreach Program at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean.

Link to MVAC youth scholarship information. (PDF)

ExcavationSee what the MVAC Public Field School participants are doing this summer! Stop by on Thursday, July 18, between 10 am and 2 pm. The Open House will be held at Goose Island County Park, on the Mississippi River just south of La Crosse. Once in the park, follow the signs to where we’ll be working. Call MVAC at 608-785-6473 or e-mail MVAC@uwlax.edu for more information.

Join MVAC’s Connie Arzigian for a look into the lives of the early people who once lived in Perrot State Park and surrounding area.  View examples of artifacts and throw an atlatl.  Link for more information.

AtlatlMVAC’s Jean Dowiasch will be demonstrating the atlatl at the Whitewater Valley Archaeology and History Festival between noon and 3 pm. Come and practice your skills with the atlatl. Celebrate the fascinating history of the Whitewater Valley! Through demonstrations, hands-on activities and special guest presenters, visitors will be transported back in time. Pick up a schedule at the park office.

Directions: Located 3 miles south of Elba on State Highway 74.

Link to more information

Indigenoud Peoples' Day PosterThe event celebrate the indigenous peoples of the world featuring Native American, Hmoob, and Latinx.  MVAC staff will be present with displays and demonstrations.  Link to more information.

ScreeningEver wondered who did the rock paintings at Roche-a-Cri State Park? Is there an old mound on your property that really doesn’t look like it was made by nature? Did your grandfather leave you a box of rocks that might be arrowheads?

For answers to these and other questions, Adams County Library invites you to a discussion on Wisconsin archaeology with Dr. Connie Arzigian. Dr. Arzigian will talk about the prehistory of the area, using authentic Wisconsin artifacts to demonstrate how Native American stone tools look and were manufactured. She invites people to bring items from their personal collections for her to inspect. She may be able to provide information about their age and use.

Dr. Arzigian is an expert on Midwestern archaeology and paleoecology, examining subsistence and settlement systems, and the origins of agriculture. She is a Senior Lecturer in the Archaeology and Anthropology Department at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, and a Research Archaeologist with the Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center at UW-L. Dr. Arzigian is an active field archaeologist, running archaeological field schools every summer through the UW-La Crosse.

The talk will be Wednesday, October 16, 4 – 6 pm at the Community Center, room 145B. Everyone is welcome. If time permits, Dr. Arzigian will demonstrate flint knapping techniques.

For further information, please contact Erin Foley at the Library, at 608-339-4250.

International Archaeology Day LogoMississippi Valley Archaeology Center is a Collaborating Organization for the Archaeological Institute of America’s International Archaeology Day on Saturday, October 19, 2019.  Link to more information about the day.

Event PosterThis year’s Wisconsin Archeological Society Fall Field Assembly is co-sponsored by the Mississippi Valley Archaeological Center and will be held at Silver Mound, one of the largest, oldest, and most important archaeological sites in the Midwest. Silver Mound was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2006. “Hixton Silicified Sandstone,” the stone found at Silver Mound, was used by Native Peoples for nearly 12,000 years.  Activities/displays include: flintknapping artifact identification, atlatl throwing, Native American games, and local artifact collections.  Guided tours of prehistoric rock shelters, rock art locations, and quarry pits.  Link to more information.

John O'SheaUnderwater ArchaeologyAt the end of the last Ice Age, the newly formed Great Lakes oscillated between levels that were much higher and much lower than today.  During the low water stage, a feature known as the Alpena-Amberley Ridge divided the Lake Huron basin and provided a continuous corridor between southern Ontario and northern Lower Michigan.  This talk will describe recent research focused on discovering and investigating hunting sites and other cultural features from this era  that are preserved beneath modern Lake Huron.  These finds provide important new insights into the lives of early Great Lakes hunters, and one that could only be recovered underwater.

John O'Shea is the Curator of Great Lakes Archaeology at the University of Michigan Museum of Anthropology, and the Emerson F. Greenman Collegiate Professor of Archaeology in the university’s Department of Anthropology. 

Link to TEDx talk by John O’Shea.

MVAC’s Dr. James Theler, will be giving a presentation for the Valley Stewardship Network as a part of their Conservation on Tap Series at  the Rooted Spoon Kitchen Table, Viroqua Public Market, 219 South Main St, Viroqua, Wisconsin 54665. For additional information call 608-637-3615 or email info@valleystewardshipnetwork.org.

Artifact Show 2019Come to Valley View Mall and see artifacts representing the area’s long history. Local collectors will display their personal collections, and MVAC staff will bring artifacts recovered from local excavations. Archaeologists will be on hand to answer questions. Bring in your own artifacts for help in their identification. Call MVAC at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean if you would like to display your artifacts.

Artifact Show 2019

Gregg JamisonDue to the rapidly developing Coronavirus situation, we have cancelled our March 26, 2020 lecture with Gregg Jamison.  We will be rescheduling for a date to be determined in the future. 

Please check this web page and MVAC's Facebook page for updates on upcoming MVAC events.

Since 2016, the UW MIA Recovery and Identification Project has been working in Partnership with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) to identify, recover, and repatriate the remains of service members lost during WWII.  The project combines archaeological, forensic, and historical research methods to conduct recovery missions in western Europe.  This multi-disciplinary approach provides students and volunteers with valuable fieldwork, service, and leadership experiences, and helps fulfill our Nation's promise to bring all of our missing service members home.  In this presentation Dr. Gregg Jamison will discuss his experiences serving as the lead archaeologist on the project, including reflections on methods, challenges, successes, and some of the project's future goals.

Dr. Gregg Jamison is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee at Waukesha.  He is the lead archaeologist on the UW MIA Recovery and Identification Project. 

Link to read more about the project.

UW MIA Project 2019 Team

ExcavationA variety of activities will be offered throughout the state during May to introduce the public to Wisconsin’s long and rich cultural past. For a complete list of activities check out the Wisconsin Historical Society’s web site at: http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Content.aspx?dsNav=N:4294963828-4294963805&dsRecordDetails=R:CS4131.

Field SurveyDue to the rapidly developing Coronavirus situation, we have cancelled our May 2 (and rain date on May 9), Volunteer Field Survey.

Please check this web page and MVAC's Facebook page for updates on upcoming MVAC events.

MVAC will celebrate Wisconsin Archaeology Month by involving volunteers in surveys of local fields to find unreported archaeological sites. The day will begin with an introduction at the archaeology laboratory, followed by helping with an actual field survey. Participants will end the day back at the lab to wash the artifacts recovered and learn more about their history. The number of participants is limited, so register early. Children may participate if accompanied by an adult. Rain date: Saturday, May 9, 2020. Advance registration required!  Call MVAC at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean to register.

Fee: Free admission for MVAC members.

MVAC’s Connie Arzigian will be at the event sharing some Native American artifacts and games, as well as information on Archaeology as a career, and on the Archaeological Studies program at UWL. Link to more information.

Due to the rapidly developing Coronavirus situation, we have cancelled our July 13, Experimental Archaeology class.

Please check this web page and MVAC's Facebook page for updates on upcoming MVAC events.

Learn how stone tools were made and how Native Americans used them. Take a nature hike through the marsh to explore food, shelter, and tools Wisconsin’s first people could have used. Try playing the chunky game and making pottery. Cancellations prior to June 29 will receive a full refund minus a $40 cancellation fee. No refunds for cancellations after June 29.

Age: Students entering grades 4-6
Fee: $80
Note: Bring a lunch, drink, snacks and water bottle.

For registration information please contact the:
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Office of Continuing Education and Extension
608-785-6500
Online registration at: https://www.uwlax.edu/ex/archaeology-workshops/

For information on activity content please contact:
MVAC's Public Outreach Program at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean.

Link to MVAC youth scholarship information.  (PDF)

ExcavationDue to the rapidly developing Coronavirus situation, we have cancelled our July 13-15, Public Archaeology Field School - 3 day experience.

Please check this web page and MVAC's Facebook page for updates on upcoming MVAC events.

This overflow-hidden field and lab experience is a well-rounded opportunity for those who want to learn about the process of archaeology. Work alongside professional archaeologists on an actual archaeological excavation and survey work. Lab work may include washing and sorting ceramics, stone tools, and other remains. An experimental archaeology component may explore making stone tools and using an atlatl (spearthrower). Optional lab hours and local field trips will be available after regular field school hours. No previous experience is necessary.

This experience is open to high school students through adults. Fee includes a one-year MVAC membership. Supervised dorm facilities are available for high school students at an additional cost of $225 for 3 days and $335 for 5 days. Cancellation prior to June 15 will receive a full refund minus a $100 cancellation fee. No refunds for cancellations after June 15.

Fee: $350

For registration information please contact the:
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Office of Continuing Education and Extension
608-785-6500
Online registration at:  https://www.uwlax.edu/ex/archaeology-workshops/

For information on activity content please contact:
MVAC's Public Outreach Program at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean.

Link to MVAC youth scholarship information.  (PDF)

ExcavationDue to the rapidly developing Coronavirus situation, we have cancelled our July 13-17, Public Archaeology Field School - 5 day experience.

Please check this web page and MVAC's Facebook page for updates on upcoming MVAC events.

This overflow-hidden field and lab experience is a well-rounded opportunity for those who want to learn about the process of archaeology. Work alongside professional archaeologists on an actual archaeological excavation and survey work. Lab work may include washing and sorting ceramics, stone tools, and other remains. An experimental archaeology component may explore making stone tools and using an atlatl (spearthrower). Optional lab hours and local field trips will be available after regular field school hours. No previous experience is necessary.

This experience is open to high school students through adults. Fee includes a one-year MVAC membership. Supervised dorm facilities are available for high school students at an additional cost of $225 for 3 days and $335 for 5 days. Cancellation prior to June 15 will receive a full refund minus a $100 cancellation fee. No refunds for cancellations after June 15.

Fee: $500

For registration information please contact the:
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Office of Continuing Education and Extension
608-785-6500
Online registration at:  https://www.uwlax.edu/ex/archaeology-workshops/

For information on activity content please contact:
MVAC's Public Outreach Program at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean. 

Link to MVAC youth scholarship information. (PDF)

Due to the rapidly developing Coronavirus situation, we have cancelled our July 14, Introduction to Archaeology class.

Please check this web page and MVAC's Facebook page for updates on upcoming MVAC events.

Explore MVAC’s Archaeology Lab and work with artifacts recovered from area excavations as an introduction to the science of archaeology. Discover how the first Native Americans in Wisconsin survived, using the area’s natural resources. Students must take this class in order to attend the Middle School Field Experience. This program takes place in the classroom.  It does not include excavation activities. Cancellations prior to June 29 will receive a full refund minus a $40 cancellation fee. No refunds for cancellations after June 29.

Age: Students entering grades 5-9
Fee: $80
Note: Bring a lunch, drink, snacks, and a water bottle.

For registration information please contact the:
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Office of Continuing Education and Extension
608-785-6500
Online registration at: https://www.uwlax.edu/ex/archaeology-workshops/ 

For information on activity content please contact:
MVAC's Public Outreach Program at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean.

Link to MVAC youth scholarship information.  (PDF)

ExcavationDue to the rapidly developing Coronavirus situation, we have cancelled our July 15-16, Middle School Field Experience.

Please check this web page and MVAC's Facebook page for updates on upcoming MVAC events.

Take your excitement for archaeology into the field! Students who have taken MVAC’s Introduction to Archaeology class in the past can join a La Crosse area project. Participants will work alongside professional archaeologists in the field. Activities may include shovel testing or small-scale excavations. Weather may require alternate activities. Cancellations prior to June 29 will receive a full refund minus an $80 cancellation fee. No refunds for cancellations after June 29.

Age: Students entering grades 5-9
Fee: $200 (includes travel fee)
Note: Bring a lunch, drink, snacks, water bottle, insect repellent, sun screen. Wear comfortable walking shoes and clothes that can get dirty.
Prerequisite: MVAC's Introduction to Archaeology class

For registration information please contact the:
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Office of Continuing Education and Extension
608-785-6500
Online registration at:  https://www.uwlax.edu/ex/archaeology-workshops/

For information on activity content please contact:
MVAC's Public Outreach Program at 608-785-8454 or e-mail Jean.

Link to MVAC youth scholarship information. (PDF)

ExcavationDue to the rapidly developing Coronavirus situation, we have cancelled our July 16, Open House – MVAC Archaeology Field School.

Please check this web page and MVAC's Facebook page for updates on upcoming MVAC events.

See what the MVAC Public Field School participants are doing this summer! Stop by on Thursday, July 16, between 10 am and 2 pm. Check back for more information.

The Historic Indian Agency House is in hot pursuit of the hottest place on the hillside this summer: the 1830s agency blacksmith shop. An archaeological excavation which had originally been scheduled for June has now been rescheduled to take place July 18-19 and 25-26 from 10 am to 4 pm each day. Dr. Constance Arzigian, a research archaeologist with the Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center and a senior lecturer in archaeology and anthropology at UW-LaCrosse, will lead the dig in July.

The public is invited to participate right alongside the archaeologists. Live blacksmithing demonstrations are also being planned for those weekends for spectators to enjoy. Adults and children ages five and up with the direct supervision of a responsible adult are welcomed to try their hand at a variety of tasks from digging to screening and more. Participants will be guided through a 15-minute “Archaeology Boot Camp” to prepare them before they roll up their sleeves to help excavate the site’s buried history.

A Historic Indian Agency House membership is required to participate in the dig. Memberships may be purchased ahead of time or at the door. The cost is $15 for an individual or $36 for a family. Memberships also include free admission to all on-site events during the 2020 season and a free tour which may be taken either in person or in a live virtual format. The public may spectate for free. However, since social distancing will be observed during the event, those with memberships will take precedence if visitor numbers must be limited at any given time.

Adam Novey, Executive Director and Curator of the Historic Indian Agency House, suggests keeping an eye on the Agency House’s “Archaeology at the Agency” web page for details and updates, especially as the pandemic presents challenges and requires flexibility and understanding on the part of everyone: www.agencyhouse.org/archaeology-2020.

MVAC's Connie Arzigian will present on the critical thinking involved in prehistoric archaeology. When studying an era before written records, skilled interpretation is required. Dr. Arzigian will explore how archaeologists interpret artifacts to arrive at their conclusions.  Free admission. Link to more information.

The Historic Indian Agency House is in hot pursuit of the hottest place on the hillside this summer: the 1830s agency blacksmith shop. An archaeological excavation which had originally been scheduled for June has now been rescheduled to take place July 18-19 and 25-26 from 10 am to 4 pm each day. Dr. Constance Arzigian, a research archaeologist with the Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center and a senior lecturer in archaeology and anthropology at UW-LaCrosse, will lead the dig in July.

The public is invited to participate right alongside the archaeologists. Live blacksmithing demonstrations are also being planned for those weekends for spectators to enjoy. Adults and children ages five and up with the direct supervision of a responsible adult are welcomed to try their hand at a variety of tasks from digging to screening and more. Participants will be guided through a 15-minute “Archaeology Boot Camp” to prepare them before they roll up their sleeves to help excavate the site’s buried history.

A Historic Indian Agency House membership is required to participate in the dig. Memberships may be purchased ahead of time or at the door. The cost is $15 for an individual or $36 for a family. Memberships also include free admission to all on-site events during the 2020 season and a free tour which may be taken either in person or in a live virtual format. The public may spectate for free. However, since social distancing will be observed during the event, those with memberships will take precedence if visitor numbers must be limited at any given time.

Adam Novey, Executive Director and Curator of the Historic Indian Agency House, suggests keeping an eye on the Agency House’s “Archaeology at the Agency” web page for details and updates, especially as the pandemic presents challenges and requires flexibility and understanding on the part of everyone: www.agencyhouse.org/archaeology-2020.

International Archaeology Day LogoMississippi Valley Archaeology Center is a Collaborating Organization for the Archaeological Institute of America’s International Archaeology Day on Saturday, October 17, 2020.  Link to more information about the day.

Scott AnfinsonDue to the rapidly developing Coronavirus situation, we have cancelled our October 29, 2020 - Annual Awards and Lecture - The Kensington Runestone and Golf Balls on the Moon.

Please check this web page and MVAC's Facebook page for updates on upcoming MVAC events.

In 1898 Olaf Ohman, a Swedish immigrant farmer, claimed he discovered a stone covered with Norse runic letters on his farm near Kensington, Minnesota.  His discovery didn’t get much attention until Hjalmar Holand, a Wisconsin historian interested in Scandinavian immigration, promoted it as an authentic relic dating to 1362. Throughout the 20th century, support for the Kensington Runestone’s authenticity waxed and waned. In the early 21st century, the Runestone found new champions in Scott Wolter, the president of a cement testing company in Minneapolis, and Richard Nielson, a Texas engineer. The authenticity of the Kensington stone continues to be debated, although interest in the stone has once again waned as Wolter has moved on to reality TV stardom and Nielson has died. Arguments for and against the Kensington Runestone will be presented in the contexts of archaeology, history, linguistics, geography, pseudoscience, common sense, and Scandinavian humor.

Scott Anfinson is the former Minnesota State Archaeologist and author of several archaeology publications.

Kensington Runestone