How do I find out about...

  • Permanent jobs at OSA are announced on our News and Updates page and the Iowa Archaeology Facebook page. 
  • People interested in seasonal field technician positions can submit their resume and period of availability to the Research Director for inclusion on the “active crew list.” Prior experience in archaeology and/or a degree in a related field is preferred but not required. OSA Research Archaeologists reach out field technicians listed on the active crew list when they require assistance. These positions often require overnight travel. Depending on OSA’s project load, these positions are sometimes on-call or short-term.

  • See “Jobs at OSA” above to inquire about paid seasonal field technician opportunities.
  • The OSA does not typically offer volunteer fieldwork opportunities, but projects do occasionally arise with the Iowa Archeological Society or through grant partnerships. We recommend the Iowa Archaeological Certification Program to those interested in being called up for emergency volunteer projects. Follow our social media to learn when other volunteer fieldwork opportunities are available.
  • Some OSA staff are adjunct faculty or instructors with the UI Department of Anthropology and teach occasional classes and freshman seminars on cultural resources management, bioarchaeology, experimental archaeology, and more. Archaeology field school opportunities are offered by John Doershuk in partnership with Iowa Lakeside Laboratory and Cornell College. The UI Department of Anthropology also typically hosts a summer field school. Archaeology field schools are typically announced in late winter or early spring to allow time for planning and registration. Coursework and field school opportunities are posted on our news page and social media channels. https://archaeology.uiowa.edu/volunteer-intern-learn

  • The best way to let OSA know about your interest to volunteer is to submit a Volunteer Inquiry Form so that your inquiry is forwarded to the appropriate staff member. The OSA is continually soliciting interest for reliable and responsible students and community members seeking volunteer positions at our facilities in Iowa City, but it is important to note that OSA's ability to host and supervise volunteers is contingent on staff capacity and availability. 
  • Volunteering at OSA is a great way to build credentials in research, lab work, collections management and archives, or public outreach, or just to exercise your passion for archaeology and learning. We will help you to track your volunteer hours to help bolster your resume and can also provide letters of reference. We can develop flexible short-term or long-term volunteer schedules, dependent on the need for volunteers throughout the year. 
  • Opportunities to volunteer for archaeological fieldwork are limited. See “Fieldwork Opportunities” above.
  • There may be other museums or organizations in your area in need of volunteers. Check out our map to find museums and educational centers in Iowa that highlight archaeology.

  • Students from across Iowa, including the University of Iowa, Kirkwood Community College, and Cornell College, assist with projects at the OSA that align with course goals in other University departments or fulfill requirements for independent study. Such opportunities are available for academic credit. Internships are open to both undergraduate and graduate-level students, as well as recent graduates, of all majors. Learn more here. 
  • The OSA also supports opportunities for undergraduate research in conjunction with the Office of Undergraduate Research (formally ICRU) at the University of Iowa and internships through the University of Iowa Museum Studies Certificate Program. Museum Studies internship opportunities are posted on Handshake.

  • A list of upcoming events is available on our Events page. Note, events are announced as they are scheduled, there may not be any events to display at any given time.
  • Events are also announced on our Facebook page and often in the Iowa Archeological Society (IAS) listserv circulated to IAS members.

I want to...

  • See the Iowa Archaeology Resources page.
  • Join the Iowa Archeological Society (IAS). Founded in 1951, the IAS is a non-profit, professional organization that welcomes anyone who is interested in Iowa’s archaeological past. This includes the interested public, archaeological professionals, and students.
  • IAS members receive access to two different publications, attend spring and fall meetings, and participate in statewide events and activities. The IAS also offers research and scholarship opportunities for members and students and administers the Iowa Archaeological Certification Program for anyone interested in learning the basics of archaeological fieldwork, lab work, or site survey.

  • Iowa offers dozens of museums, parks, hikes, and more that highlight our rich archaeological past. Explore this map to find museums that display archaeological collections, take a hike at one of Iowa's state archeological preserves, visit parks with archaeological sites, or find one of Iowa's many National Historic Landmarks.
  • Take a walking, driving, or digital tour available under "Visit" on our Research, Explore, Visit page.
  • Check out The Archaeological Guide to Iowa, available to purchase from UI Press.
  • Most archaeological sites in Iowa are on private property. Do not attempt to visit these sites without explicit permission from the landowner.

See our Collecting Artifacts page. OSA strongly encourages responsible collecting that involves getting a landowner’s permission before collecting, cataloging, and labeling all finds, recording site locations, and reporting any human remains or burial sites to OSA.

  • OSA offers assistance with identifying human artifacts and cultural artifacts from Iowa. Use our decision tree to determine if we are qualified to identify your objects and find more resources on our Artifact Identification page. 
  • See also our ArcGIS StoryMap, A Citizen’s Guide to Recording Archaeological Finds in Iowa, with resources to assist non-archaeologists with basic artifact identification, site documentation, artifact collection, and collections care.
  • OSA accepts artifacts, photographs, and personal records regarding archaeological collections. Contact the Research Collections Director.
  • Due to the high costs of curation, OSA only accepts materials from Iowa. Artifacts with location information (such as a site number) will be accessioned into the State Archaeological Repository. Artifacts without known locations will be used for educational purposes. All donations must be accompanied by a signed donation form.

OSA's Strategic Initiatives Director can assist with scheduling an interview with an archaeologist on staff.

  • OSA archaeologists, architectural historians, and educators collaborate with local, statewide, and regional organizations to research and develop historic preservation initiatives including: historic contexts, short- and long-term management plans, historic preservation grants, conservation easements, and nominations for the National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks. 
  • OSA partners with individuals and organizations across the state to conduct archaeological research, salvage archaeology, and community engagement and create or consult on museum exhibitions, interpretive media, and historical research. Learn more at or Grant Partnerships page. 

I'm looking for...

The OSA Staff Directory details staff position, titles, bios, work responsibilities, and research interests.

​​​​​​Please send inquiries to osa@uiowa.edu, and we will direct the inquiry to the appropriate staff member. Note, there are fees for research that requires more than 30 min of staff time.

Please send inquiries to the Strategic Initiatives Director. OSA education and interpretation staff provide all levels of consultation services for outreach initiatives, including strategy and planning, content research, development, design, and review for print and digital interpretive media, websites, curricula, and exhibits. Our goal is to ensure that information being communicated about Iowa's archaeological past and cultural history is research-based and scientifically accurate, representative of Iowa's descendant communities, and accessible to multiple types of learners. Note, there are image and document reproduction fees and service fees for research that requires more than 30 min of staff time.

See our Image Request page. OSA charges reproduction fees for digital and hard-copy images for both non-commercial and commercial use in-line with other Iowa archives, and we document the purchaser and purpose/use. A special usage fee for commercial use may be applicable in some situations. Please do not contact individual staff members to ask for images.

I think I found...

Archaeology is the study of the ancient and recent human past through material remains. It is the principal way to learn about humanity’s ancient past. In Iowa, archaeologists identify and study the sites, artifacts, and physical remains that make up the past 13,000 years of human settlement. The study of dinosaurs, fossils, and other life in the geologic past is called paleontology. Although the two disciplines overlap in areas like exploration, excavation, curation, and museums, they are distinct and independent professions.  Learn more at: 

  • OSA offers assistance with identifying human artifacts and cultural artifacts from Iowa. Use our decision tree to determine if we are qualified to identify your objects and find more resources on our Artifact Identification page. 
  • See also our ArcGIS StoryMap, A Citizen’s Guide to Recording Archaeological Finds in Iowa, with resources to assist non-archaeologists with basic artifact identification, site documentation, artifact collection, and collections care.

See our page on Recording Archaeological Sites.

See our page on Human Remains and Burial Sites.