On September 1, Indiana Archaeology Month begins

Indianapolis, Indiana – In Indiana, a national celebration of archaeology will happen for the 29th time next month.

History buffs in Indiana can meet researchers and learn about the state’s interesting past all through September. Thousands of people have been able to learn about archaeology through events in the past.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology (DHPA) is in charge of putting together events for people of all ages across the state. These events will be held by colleges, museums, groups, and individuals.

At on.IN.gov/archaeologymonth, you can find a plan.

Dan Bortner, director of the DNR and State Historic Preservation Officer, said, “Archaeology tells us about the past, and Archaeology Month is a great way for Hoosiers to learn about the science.”

The theme of this year’s memorial poster is the State Archaeological Survey. In the spring of 1920, the head of the National Research Council’s Committee on State Archaeological Surveys went to Indianapolis to begin a thorough study of all ten counties in Indiana. Before, Indiana’s historical sites were only occasionally recorded. There was a Division of Geology in the State Department of Conservation (now called the DNR), which was in charge of the statewide study. The Indiana Historical Commission also worked on it. More than 20 of Indiana’s counties were carefully surveyed from the 1920s to the early 1960s when things were more organized. The Indiana Historical Bureau put out the results of these surveys.

“These early surveyors were on the path to preservation because they knew that new highways, reservoirs, and other infrastructure projects would threaten Indigenous and Euroamerican heritage,” said Amy Johnson, the state archaeologist for the DHPA. “We are proud that the DNR was there at the start of the State Archaeological Survey and that the DHPA is still leading the way across the state in protecting and preserving Indiana’s history.”

The first survey reports came out 100 years ago this year. They were for Lawrence and Washington counties.

At the above page, you can read a more in-depth discussion of the design. Since the early 1800s, archaeologists have recorded more than 75,000 places in Indiana. This information has helped the public learn more about the people who lived on the land we now call Indiana.