Sixty years ago, UI President Virgil Hancher and Iowa Governor Herschel Loveless launched a plan to investigate and protect the places and objects that tell the story of Iowa’s rich history and prehistory.
Legislation (Chapter 263B) passed on April 7, 1959, created the University of Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist (OSA), which is tasked with conducting archaeological research across Iowa and sharing information about the state’s history with the public. Today, the office employs 23 full-time archaeologists and historic preservation specialists, along with dozens of seasonal staff, students, and volunteers who assist in the mission of developing, disseminating, and preserving knowledge of Iowa’s human past.
Carrying out this mission involves more than just putting shovels in the ground. OSA staff also utilize some of the latest technologies for locating and recording archaeological sites, including lidar (light detection and ranging) mapping, drone-acquired thermal imaging and aerial photography, ground-penetrating radar, and robotic direct-aim surveying. Isotope analyses, XRF (X-ray fluorescence), and 3D scanning are just some of the advanced laboratory techniques used to document and study artifacts from the past.
Conducting over 8,000 archaeological projects and generating around $78 million in external (non-UI) revenue since its founding, the office brings in 75% of its own annual budget, receiving only 25% from UI. The repository currently holds around four million artifacts recovered through survey and excavation or acquired through donations. The GIS (Geographic Information Systems) database and digitized site records allow staff to track more than 30,000 archaeological sites in Iowa. The office archives over 275,000 documents—90% of which are digitized—relating to Midwestern and Plains archaeology, which are available to outside researchers.
“I see our mandate as being advocates for preservation for significant archaeological resources. To do that effectively, we have to be engaged in research, provide information, and educate,” said John Doershuk, OSA’s Director and Iowa’s current State Archaeologist. Since its establishment, the OSA has worked closely with the Iowa DOT, DNR, and the State Historical Society of Iowa to promote stewardship of Iowa’s archaeological sites and collections. Independent study and volunteer opportunities—available to students from UI and other regional colleges—provide training for the next generation of archaeologists. Graduate students and other researchers come from across the country to study the facility’s collections. Meanwhile, outreach programs educate K-12 students and the public about Iowa’s history and cultural resources.
To celebrate their 60th anniversary, the OSA is hosting an open house on October 4, 2019, to celebrate 60 years of archaeological exploration and preservation in Iowa. The event, to be held at their headquarters on the UI campus (700 S. Clinton Street, Iowa City), will include ancient technology demonstrations, self-guided tours of the facility, artifact displays, traditional pioneer and Native American toys and games, refreshments, and more.
The public 60th anniversary event is timed to coincide with the office’s recognition of International Archaeology Day. Event details and updates will be posted on the OSA’s website (https://archaeology.uiowa.edu/) and social media (@IowaArchaeology on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram).
