Meet others who share your passion for the past! Welcome to the Minnesota Archaeological Society Website! 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:   Made with Xara Web Designer Welcome Last Updated: 22 Mar 13 Comments to Webmaster The MAS Thunderbird Curious about our logo? The inscriptions on the right 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.  - 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. February, 2013 Letter from the President The Minnesota Archaeological Society's Board of Directors met at Ft. Snelling on February 5, 2013, at 7:00 p.m.  This was a short meeting, but a few items of importance should to be noted: Return of Anna Morrow: It was with great delight that long time board member Anna Morrow was able to return to the Board of Directors on February 5, after a sudden and prolonged illness. In addition to her brightening our evening with her attendance, as membership coordinator, Anna's system had to be hacked by the rest of us in order to send the 2011 and 2013 journals, and we are very happy to have her back on the job. Minnesota Archaeologist: Volume 71 The Minnesota Archaeologist 2012 was mailed from Fort Snelling on Friday January 18. If you have not received your copy, please notify us at address listed in the contact information below. Annual Dinner Meeting: We have begun planning talks for the annual dinner meeting. A date of April 19th has been tentatively set for the event. There were several suggestions for a guest speaker; however, as yet no formal invitations have been issued. Registration forms for the annual dinner meeting will be available in the March newsletter, or contact Deborah Schoenholz at 612 374-5886 to reserve your place at the table. Nifty Quotes: "IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE IN YOURSELF CHANCES ARE NO ONE ELSE WILL". (Unknown) Visit us on Facebook March, 2013 Letter from the President Due to inclement weather and difficult driving conditions on March 5, The Minnesota Archaeological Society’s Board of Directors meeting was postponed until March 12, 2013, at 7:00 p.m.  Near full attendance of the board members provided for a lively, productive meeting, however there was little new business addressed, and only one item of importance is to be noted. Annual Dinner Meeting: Plans for the Annual Dinner Meeting have been finalized. Robert Boszhardt, Co-Director of the Mississippian Initiative Project, has agreed to speak to us about his current research into an early Mississippian colony at Tempealeau, Wisconsin. The meeting will be held on April 19, 2013 at Hamline University, 774 Snelling Ave. St. Paul, 55104, Anderson Hall Room 111. A mail-in reservation form can be found elsewhere on this website in the Spring 2013 newsletter, or contact Deborah Schoenholz at 612 374-5886 to reserve your place at the table. The cost of the evening is $20. Nifty Quotes:   “BE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN ACTIONS, HOLD OTHERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIRS”.  (Rod’s Rule #26) Visit us on Facebook