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

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

[Closed] OSA is Hiring: Research Archaeologist

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Events

OSA Brown Bag: A Community-inspired (and Energized) Mastodon Excavation in Southern Iowa

Friday, February 28, 2025 12:00pm

Clinton Street Building

Join State Archaeologist John Doershuk as he presents an OSA Brown Bag talk on the Wayne County Mastodon. This program is free and open to the public. It will also be viewable via Zoom.

Anthropology Colloquium: Precontact Burial Mounds of Iowa

Friday, February 28, 2025 2:30pm

Macbride Hall

For more than 2,000 years Native Americans buried their dead in earthen mounds throughout Iowa. Extensive historical research and high-resolution lidar mapping allowed for the first detailed inventory of Indian burial mounds in Iowa, revealing how many are left intact, and how many have been damaged and destroyed. This study led to the unexpected rediscovery of a cluster of 200 linear mounds in the central Des Moines River valley.

Ice Age Iowa

Tuesday, March 25, 2025 10:00am

The Knights of Columbus Hall

Join the OSA for a program on Ice Age Iowa, sponsored by the Ottumwa Public Library, March 25, 2025, at 10 a.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

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