The Office of the State Archaeologist

The mission of the Office of the State Archaeologist is to develop, disseminate, and preserve knowledge of Iowa's human past through Midwestern and Plains archaeological research, scientific discovery, public stewardship, service, and education.

FAQ & Common Inquiries

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to some of the Office of the State Archaeologist's most common inquiries.

Artifact Identification

Assistance, guidance, and resources regarding the identification of archaeological artifacts from Iowa.

A student takes notes on an old foundation in the woods

OSA offers statewide public programs, resources, and opportunities for people of all ages to understand and appreciate Iowa’s archaeological heritage and preserve it for the future. We also offer consultation services for exhibits, interpretive media, curricula, and program development.

photo of a student taking notes with a tray of artifacts sorted in front of her

Volunteer, Intern, Learn

Learn about volunteer, internship, or student research opportunities at the OSA.

An aerial photo of a large excavation block with archaeological tools scattered about

32,000 +

archaeological sites as of FY24

ancient pottery vessels displayed on a shelf

300 +

infrastructure projects
completed annually

A man in a neon yellow shirt digging a hole in a field

4 Million +

Objects in Curation

News

Megaphone and speech bubble that says "We're Hiring!" against a gold background

[CLOSED] OSA is Hiring: Research Archaeologist

Thursday, January 23, 2025

A tribute to Lance Foster of the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

University of Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist

One student crouched in an excavation unit, one laying on his stomach next to the unit

Updates from the 2023 Iowa Lakeside Laboratory Archaeological Field School

Tuesday, August 29, 2023

John Doershuk, Ph.D., RPA

University of Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist

Events

An Assessment of Iowaville (1765-1824) by Cindy Peterson and Alan Kelley

Sunday, January 18, 2026 1:30pm to 2:30pm

Lacey-Keosauqua State Park

Discover Iowaville, a historic Báxoje (Ioway) village in Van Buren County. Cindy Peterson and Alan Kelley share research, stories, and insights on its significance and NHL recommendation.

Office of the State Archaeologist at the 2026 Iowa Prairie Network Winter Seminar

Saturday, January 24, 2026 (all day)

Ames High School

This year's theme is Passing the Drip Torch - 250 Years of Prairie Resilience.

Fort Madison and the War of 1812 with State Archaeologist John Doershuk

Sunday, March 22, 2026 1:30pm to 2:30pm

Fort Madison Riverfront Pavilion

Join us for a presentation that explores Iowa’s only documented War of 1812 site. This talk will feature research and findings from the Office of the State Archaeologist.

View more events

Support the OSA

There are many ways to show your support for the OSA and its nationally-recognized outreach initiatives.

Learn More

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Office of the State Archaeologist