Welcome to the Minnesota Archaeological Society Website

Welcome to the Minnesota Archaeological Society Website!

  • Get your knees dirty on an exploratory dig of a 1,000-year-old Indian village, or an 150-year-old pioneer cabin.
  • Find out about the latest archaeological discoveries and theories in Society publications, lectures and informal talks.
  • Lend a hand in the lab, helping to analyze pottery sherds, stone tools, animal bones and other artifacts.
  • Meet others who share your passion for the past at a Society social event. ___________________________________________________________________________________________

    The Minnesota Archaeological Society (MAS) invites you to share with us exciting discoveries from Minnesota's past. The Society, established in 1936, is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and study of archaeological resources in the Upper Midwest. All persons with an interest in archaeology - those just beginning to explore the field as well as avocational archaeologists and professionals - are welcome.

    MAS is a doing organization. Members volunteer their time and energy to participate in Society programs, helping to protect Minnesota's rich heritage and learning something about themselves in the process. Society activities include:

    • Slide lectures on current fieldwork and research in archaeology, anthropology and history. Past topics have included Minnesota's Old Copper Culture and ethnoarchaeology in East Africa.
    • Classes in fieldwork methods and artifact analysis, taught by professional archaeologists from government and private organizations.
    • Opportunities to take part in field projects sponsored by MAS and other Minnesota organizations.
    • Field trips to important archaeological sites, such as Jeffers Petroglyphs in western Minnesota and Effigy Mounds National Park in Iowa.
    • Participation in special events such as Minnesota Archaeology Week and the Midwest Archaeological Conference.
    • Social events - potluck dinners, brown-bag lunches, informal get-togethers - that allow you to share your experiences and insights with other members and working archaeologists.

    The inscriptions on the left are from a 1,000-year-old pot that was discovered in 1957 near Red Wing, Minnesota by an MAS member. The thunderbird motif is representative of Middle Mississippian iconography.

    Disseminating knowledge is a vital part of the Society's mission. All members receive The Minnesota Archaeologist, an annual journal containing illustrated articles on ancient Native American culture, the history of European settlement and the latest archaeological techniques. MnArch, found in the libraries of dozens of respected cultural institutions in the U.S. and Canada, has been continuously published since 1936.

    The MAS Newsletter and regular mailings keep you informed about current digs and research projects, volunteer opportunities, upcoming lectures and field trips, and the activities of fellow members.

    The Society also publishes books on Ojibway and Dakota culture, major excavations, archaeological methodology and other topics.

    On this website you will find:

    • The MAS Board of Directors: This page lists the members of the Board of Directors, their positions, and their contact information.
    • Calendar of Events: This page has a calendar listing upcoming meetings, social events, classes, field trips and other event of interest in the next few months.
    • Meeting and Events Information: This page has information about the upcoming meetings/events and where they will be held and the topic to be discussed.
    • Member Information: This page has information on becoming a member, as well as an application for membership.
    • Photo Archive: This page has several pictures from MAS past events and meetings.
    • MAS Reflections: This page is dedicated to the history, thoughts and other reflections of MAS members.
    • Links: This page has a list of links related to archaeology and anthropology.


    Last Updated: April 15, 2008
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