Iowa Archaeology
@iowaarchaeology.bsky.social
Bsky home of the Office of the State Archaeologist, a nationally recognized archaeological research center & repository at the University of Iowa, est. in 1959. archaeology.uiowa.edu
We've got the coziest archaeology holiday stuff around, jigsaw puzzles, socks, mugs, stickers, and all the things. As always, a portion of proceeds support our education & outreach activities! Order soon for on-time xmas delivery & watch the top bar for sale codes! tinyurl.com/yvd5rkpy%F0%...
November 6, 2025 at 3:33 PM
We've got the coziest archaeology holiday stuff around, jigsaw puzzles, socks, mugs, stickers, and all the things. As always, a portion of proceeds support our education & outreach activities! Order soon for on-time xmas delivery & watch the top bar for sale codes! tinyurl.com/yvd5rkpy%F0%...
Like this incident in Indiana, this has happened a couple times in #Iowa the past few years. Iowa has some of the oldest laws in the nation protecting ancient human remains. Here's what to do if you come across them: archaeology.uiowa.edu/human-remains 🏺
October 14, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Like this incident in Indiana, this has happened a couple times in #Iowa the past few years. Iowa has some of the oldest laws in the nation protecting ancient human remains. Here's what to do if you come across them: archaeology.uiowa.edu/human-remains 🏺
ICYMI check out @iowapublicradio.org's Indigenous Peoples' Day feature on Iowa repatriation stories! www.iowapublicradio.org/podcast/talk... 🏺
The long, slow process of repatriation of Indigenous cultural items continues
Experts discuss the process of repatriating Indigenous cultural items and why it's important.
www.iowapublicradio.org
October 14, 2025 at 1:59 PM
ICYMI check out @iowapublicradio.org's Indigenous Peoples' Day feature on Iowa repatriation stories! www.iowapublicradio.org/podcast/talk... 🏺
Grinnell College, Iowa-based archaeologist Laura Ng has been doing some incredible research!
This NPR story highlights the AMAZING archeological work of Laura Ng @cocalola.bsky.social. Laura has been tracking down descendants of the original Chinatown, including my dad (who gets a few words in at the end). www.kuow.org/stories/wyom...
Wyoming town erects new monument to violent, anti-immigrant history
At a time when President Trump is going after foreign laborers in the U.S, and saying unflattering accounts of U.S. history should be removed, Rock Springs, Wyoming has put up a new monument to ethnic...
www.kuow.org
September 29, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Grinnell College, Iowa-based archaeologist Laura Ng has been doing some incredible research!
Now's a good time to join the #Iowa Archeological Society! Non-professional members get a discounted early bird registration rate for PAC & MAC of only $30! New IAS members, get a membership now & it's good thru all of 2026! iowaarcheologicalsociety.org/2025-fall-me... 🏺
September 26, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Now's a good time to join the #Iowa Archeological Society! Non-professional members get a discounted early bird registration rate for PAC & MAC of only $30! New IAS members, get a membership now & it's good thru all of 2026! iowaarcheologicalsociety.org/2025-fall-me... 🏺
We're co-hosting the joint meeting of the Plains Anthropological Society & Midwest Archaeological Conference in Iowa City, Oct 29-Nov 1! Online registration w/ early bird rates & abstract submissions thru 10/3. FREE advance registration for students & Tribal members! More at: tinyurl.com/zztpx2dz 🏺
September 22, 2025 at 7:35 PM
We're co-hosting the joint meeting of the Plains Anthropological Society & Midwest Archaeological Conference in Iowa City, Oct 29-Nov 1! Online registration w/ early bird rates & abstract submissions thru 10/3. FREE advance registration for students & Tribal members! More at: tinyurl.com/zztpx2dz 🏺
We're participating in this upcoming Robotics webinar hosted by the SAA on 10/1, 4pmCT/5pmET! Registration required t attend live, but the video will be on YouTube afterwards. tinyurl.com/2cu7nefy #FIRSTLEGOLeague #FLLUnearthed #Unearthed #LEGOrobotics #FIRSTChamp 🏺
Exploring Archaeological Challenges: A Webinar for FIRST® LEGO® League and Robotics Teams
tinyurl.com
September 19, 2025 at 3:18 PM
We're participating in this upcoming Robotics webinar hosted by the SAA on 10/1, 4pmCT/5pmET! Registration required t attend live, but the video will be on YouTube afterwards. tinyurl.com/2cu7nefy #FIRSTLEGOLeague #FLLUnearthed #Unearthed #LEGOrobotics #FIRSTChamp 🏺
The University of Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist's FY2025 annual report is now online! Find out the nitty gritty our accomplishments at archaeology.uiowa.edu/annual-report. #iowa #archaeology
September 8, 2025 at 2:56 PM
The University of Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist's FY2025 annual report is now online! Find out the nitty gritty our accomplishments at archaeology.uiowa.edu/annual-report. #iowa #archaeology
We heard from our friends at @archaeological.org that they had 1845 robotics teams register for their webinar yesterday -- AMAZING! You can now watch the webinar on YouTube & check out their fab resource page! tinyurl.com/2zkn5jxs #FIRSTLEGOLeague #FLLUnearthed #Unearthed #LEGOrobotics #FIRSTChamp
FIRST LEGO League Challenge 2025-2026 - Archaeological Institute of America
FIRST LEGO League Challenge 2025-2026 on the AIA website
www.archaeological.org
August 20, 2025 at 8:44 PM
We heard from our friends at @archaeological.org that they had 1845 robotics teams register for their webinar yesterday -- AMAZING! You can now watch the webinar on YouTube & check out their fab resource page! tinyurl.com/2zkn5jxs #FIRSTLEGOLeague #FLLUnearthed #Unearthed #LEGOrobotics #FIRSTChamp
We created a resource page for all of you competing in this year's archaeology-themed international robotics challenge! Beware of misconceptions & bad information on the web!
#FIRSTLEGOLeague #FLLUnearthed #Unearthed #LEGOrobotics #FIRSTChamp archaeology.uiowa.edu/iowa-archaeo...
#FIRSTLEGOLeague #FLLUnearthed #Unearthed #LEGOrobotics #FIRSTChamp archaeology.uiowa.edu/iowa-archaeo...
UNEARTHED
Information for teams participating in the FIRST LEGO League, FIRST Robotics Competition, and FIRST Tech Challenge. Archaeology is a tricky science that is easily misunderstood, so we created this pag...
archaeology.uiowa.edu
August 19, 2025 at 1:46 PM
We created a resource page for all of you competing in this year's archaeology-themed international robotics challenge! Beware of misconceptions & bad information on the web!
#FIRSTLEGOLeague #FLLUnearthed #Unearthed #LEGOrobotics #FIRSTChamp archaeology.uiowa.edu/iowa-archaeo...
#FIRSTLEGOLeague #FLLUnearthed #Unearthed #LEGOrobotics #FIRSTChamp archaeology.uiowa.edu/iowa-archaeo...
Immerse yourself in Public Archaeology! Get the discount! See you in DC!
Headed to DC & excited for the 2025 Conference on Public Archaeology. Which reminds me, the 30% off code expires for this next month. Use code RLFANDF30 at www.bloomsbury.com/9781538180815! #PubArch2025DC #pubarch 🏺
A Practitioner's Guide to Public Archaeology
Many archaeologists learn by trial and error while developing public programs and events and are mostly unaware that others in the profession are undergoing the…
www.bloomsbury.com
August 7, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Immerse yourself in Public Archaeology! Get the discount! See you in DC!
Listen to the book club chat about 'Warrior Girl Unearthed' on the IPR Talk of Iowa podcast, featuring OSA's Elizabeth Reetz, along w/ Leah Slick Driscoll and Tieranny Keahna of the Meskwaki Nation. This YA book touches on NAGPRA & the museum field (and SO MUCH more!) tinyurl.com/e55cxc4e
Living native histories in 'Warrior Girl Unearthed'
For the Talk of Iowa Book Club, author Angeline Boulley and expert readers discuss Warrior Girl Unearthed.
www.iowapublicradio.org
June 11, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Listen to the book club chat about 'Warrior Girl Unearthed' on the IPR Talk of Iowa podcast, featuring OSA's Elizabeth Reetz, along w/ Leah Slick Driscoll and Tieranny Keahna of the Meskwaki Nation. This YA book touches on NAGPRA & the museum field (and SO MUCH more!) tinyurl.com/e55cxc4e
Did you know that #Iowa OSA staffs architectural historians? A recently completed historic property study for the Iowa DOT focuses on the former east bound Hwy 30 Cedar River Bridge (1953-2022) in Linn County. This StoryMap captures why this bridge was significant. tinyurl.com/4dr25wpp 🏺 #pubarch
US Highway 30 Cedar River Bridge
The first steel, continuous welded I-girder highway bridge with floorbeams in Iowa.
tinyurl.com
May 21, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Did you know that #Iowa OSA staffs architectural historians? A recently completed historic property study for the Iowa DOT focuses on the former east bound Hwy 30 Cedar River Bridge (1953-2022) in Linn County. This StoryMap captures why this bridge was significant. tinyurl.com/4dr25wpp 🏺 #pubarch
"'Of all the institutions that the tribes deal with, the University of Iowa has served as the template for how you do it right,' Wanatee Buffalo said."
"Since 1976, Doershuk said his office has documented the repatriation and reburial of more than 2,000 individuals..." | tinyurl.com/22mf6pfy 🏺
"Since 1976, Doershuk said his office has documented the repatriation and reburial of more than 2,000 individuals..." | tinyurl.com/22mf6pfy 🏺
UI praised by tribal leaders for repatriation work and collaboration
More than three decades after the passage of a federal law mandating the return of Native American remains, the University of Iowa has emerged as a national leader — making nearly all of its holdings ...
dailyiowan.com
April 16, 2025 at 1:13 PM
"'Of all the institutions that the tribes deal with, the University of Iowa has served as the template for how you do it right,' Wanatee Buffalo said."
"Since 1976, Doershuk said his office has documented the repatriation and reburial of more than 2,000 individuals..." | tinyurl.com/22mf6pfy 🏺
"Since 1976, Doershuk said his office has documented the repatriation and reburial of more than 2,000 individuals..." | tinyurl.com/22mf6pfy 🏺
The Iowa Archeological Society spring meeting is on 4/19 at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park in SE Iowa! Anyone is welcome. See event details, registration & slate of speakers here: iowaarcheologicalsociety.org/2025-spring-... 🏺
- Iowa Archeological Society
This year’s Iowa Archeological Society annual spring meeting takes place on Saturday, April 19, at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park in southeast Iowa. Registration You do not have to be an IAS member to reg...
iowaarcheologicalsociety.org
March 24, 2025 at 2:22 PM
The Iowa Archeological Society spring meeting is on 4/19 at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park in SE Iowa! Anyone is welcome. See event details, registration & slate of speakers here: iowaarcheologicalsociety.org/2025-spring-... 🏺
Thanks to @killgrove.bsky.social for this interview!
Ideally, leave artifacts in place. But we understand people's passion for this hobby. We encourage thorough documentation of CONTEXT & knowing where you have permission to collect! IA resources: tinyurl.com/mrme5xdr, tinyurl.com/w6ryfs99 🏺
Ideally, leave artifacts in place. But we understand people's passion for this hobby. We encourage thorough documentation of CONTEXT & knowing where you have permission to collect! IA resources: tinyurl.com/mrme5xdr, tinyurl.com/w6ryfs99 🏺
People ask this question a LOT, so I talked to some amazing folks and wrote a short explainer.
tl;dr - Leave it, take a pic, tell the SHPO. 🏺🧪
tl;dr - Leave it, take a pic, tell the SHPO. 🏺🧪
What should I do if I find a cool artifact in the US?
Spotting artifacts in the U.S. is common, but archaeologists want you to leave them in place.
www.livescience.com
February 18, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Thanks to @killgrove.bsky.social for this interview!
Ideally, leave artifacts in place. But we understand people's passion for this hobby. We encourage thorough documentation of CONTEXT & knowing where you have permission to collect! IA resources: tinyurl.com/mrme5xdr, tinyurl.com/w6ryfs99 🏺
Ideally, leave artifacts in place. But we understand people's passion for this hobby. We encourage thorough documentation of CONTEXT & knowing where you have permission to collect! IA resources: tinyurl.com/mrme5xdr, tinyurl.com/w6ryfs99 🏺
We're hosting a hybrid lecture on the recent Iowa mastodon find! State Archaeologist John Doershuk will present, "A Community-inspired (and Energized) Mastodon Excavation in Southern Iowa," at noon CT on February 28. More details here: events.uiowa.edu/92425 🏺
February 12, 2025 at 9:40 PM
We're hosting a hybrid lecture on the recent Iowa mastodon find! State Archaeologist John Doershuk will present, "A Community-inspired (and Energized) Mastodon Excavation in Southern Iowa," at noon CT on February 28. More details here: events.uiowa.edu/92425 🏺
We are incredibly saddened to share the news of the passing of THPO Lance Foster and send condolences to his loved ones, friends, colleagues, and Tribal Nation. We wrote this as an award nomination month ago; now it is a tribute to him and his remarkable career
archaeology.uiowa.edu/news/2025/01...
archaeology.uiowa.edu/news/2025/01...
A tribute to Lance Foster of the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska
A narrative in honor of Lance Foster, outlining his remarkable contributions to historic preservation, archaeology, and his Tribal community
archaeology.uiowa.edu
January 14, 2025 at 5:22 PM
We are incredibly saddened to share the news of the passing of THPO Lance Foster and send condolences to his loved ones, friends, colleagues, and Tribal Nation. We wrote this as an award nomination month ago; now it is a tribute to him and his remarkable career
archaeology.uiowa.edu/news/2025/01...
archaeology.uiowa.edu/news/2025/01...
Starting Jan 11, check out the short video special, "Make No Bones About It," for the new Hawkeyes at Home series! We're featured discussing a selection of faunal remains and bone tools from 13PM7, a Mill Creek village site in Plymouth County, western Iowa. events.uiowa.edu/90888
Hawkeyes at HomeUniversity of Iowa
events.uiowa.edu
January 8, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Starting Jan 11, check out the short video special, "Make No Bones About It," for the new Hawkeyes at Home series! We're featured discussing a selection of faunal remains and bone tools from 13PM7, a Mill Creek village site in Plymouth County, western Iowa. events.uiowa.edu/90888
OSA staffers are currently drafting a book chapter about a year-long community-engaged project that partnered us with the Meskwaki Nation and Elgin Historical Society, which wrapped up in June 2023. Check out this student-created ArcGIS StoryMap encapsulating the project!
bit.ly/Elgin-Iowa-C...
bit.ly/Elgin-Iowa-C...
Community Engaged Archaeology in Elgin, Iowa
Learning about the Importance of the Turkey River to Indigenous Communities Past and Present
bit.ly
December 12, 2024 at 6:15 PM
OSA staffers are currently drafting a book chapter about a year-long community-engaged project that partnered us with the Meskwaki Nation and Elgin Historical Society, which wrapped up in June 2023. Check out this student-created ArcGIS StoryMap encapsulating the project!
bit.ly/Elgin-Iowa-C...
bit.ly/Elgin-Iowa-C...
Reposted by Iowa Archaeology
"pigs in hoglot view north," 1983, from a highway archaeological survey in Washington County, Iowa. They look like happy hogs!
Fact: "There are 23.4 million pigs on Iowa farms, according to a report from the Department of Agriculture. That means for every one Iowan there are 7.3 pigs." (2024) 🐷
Fact: "There are 23.4 million pigs on Iowa farms, according to a report from the Department of Agriculture. That means for every one Iowan there are 7.3 pigs." (2024) 🐷
November 27, 2024 at 5:19 PM
"pigs in hoglot view north," 1983, from a highway archaeological survey in Washington County, Iowa. They look like happy hogs!
Fact: "There are 23.4 million pigs on Iowa farms, according to a report from the Department of Agriculture. That means for every one Iowan there are 7.3 pigs." (2024) 🐷
Fact: "There are 23.4 million pigs on Iowa farms, according to a report from the Department of Agriculture. That means for every one Iowan there are 7.3 pigs." (2024) 🐷
For those thinking about turkey this week! Here's one of Iowa's most iconic archaeological artifacts. This shell pendant has a notched edge & an image of a turkey head is incised into one face. The eye forms a suspension hole for the ornament. It dates to ~AD 1200-1350, from western Iowa.
November 25, 2024 at 8:37 PM
For those thinking about turkey this week! Here's one of Iowa's most iconic archaeological artifacts. This shell pendant has a notched edge & an image of a turkey head is incised into one face. The eye forms a suspension hole for the ornament. It dates to ~AD 1200-1350, from western Iowa.
OSA recently wrapped up a 12-yr project analyzing >83k artifacts & excavation data from 1960s-70s work on US 34 in western #Iowa. The interactive ArcGIS StoryMap summarizes this data, providing new insights about the innovative farmers who lived in lodges from AD 1200-1350. bit.ly/GlenwoodArch... 🏺
New Perspectives on Glenwood Phase Sites
Recent Findings from the US 34 Archaeological Excavations (1960-70s)
bit.ly
November 22, 2024 at 7:51 PM
OSA recently wrapped up a 12-yr project analyzing >83k artifacts & excavation data from 1960s-70s work on US 34 in western #Iowa. The interactive ArcGIS StoryMap summarizes this data, providing new insights about the innovative farmers who lived in lodges from AD 1200-1350. bit.ly/GlenwoodArch... 🏺
Never mind those flurries outside, planning for the 2025
#Iowa Lakeside Lab archaeological field school at the Abbie Gardner cabin is underway! Register at iowalakesidelab.org/courses beginning in January. All enrollees pay in-state tuition; scholarships are available for room & board. #archaeology
#Iowa Lakeside Lab archaeological field school at the Abbie Gardner cabin is underway! Register at iowalakesidelab.org/courses beginning in January. All enrollees pay in-state tuition; scholarships are available for room & board. #archaeology
November 20, 2024 at 8:39 PM
Never mind those flurries outside, planning for the 2025
#Iowa Lakeside Lab archaeological field school at the Abbie Gardner cabin is underway! Register at iowalakesidelab.org/courses beginning in January. All enrollees pay in-state tuition; scholarships are available for room & board. #archaeology
#Iowa Lakeside Lab archaeological field school at the Abbie Gardner cabin is underway! Register at iowalakesidelab.org/courses beginning in January. All enrollees pay in-state tuition; scholarships are available for room & board. #archaeology
ICYMI: In August, we excavated a mastodon dating to 13.6k years ago & the news went global! www.youtube.com/watch?v=C38J...
Unearthing mastodon bones in southern Iowa
YouTube video by University of Iowa
www.youtube.com
November 20, 2024 at 4:30 PM
ICYMI: In August, we excavated a mastodon dating to 13.6k years ago & the news went global! www.youtube.com/watch?v=C38J...