Welcome to the
Minnesota Archaeological Society
MAS invites you to share with us exciting discoveries from Minnesota’s past.
Cover photo of Jeffers Petroglyphs courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society
Welcome to our website
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 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.
Bound by Earth: Archaeology in Minnesota
Watch the documentary below and download lesson plans on our resources page
Bound by Earth: Archaeology in Minnesota focuses on the science and new technology archaeologists use to uncover and preserve archaeological resources in a non-invasive way, and how remaining evidence, such as Indian burial mounds, are still significant to Native people today. Produced in partnership with the Minnesota Archaeological Society with funding from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
Letter from the President
July 2025
The letter from the MAS President is intended as a vehicle to inform the general
membership of the Minnesota Archaeological Society of recent Board of Directors
activities. The following is a brief recap of the events, discussions, and decisions that
transpired during the past half year and future planning.
The summer brought a flurry of activity for the Minnesota Archaeological Society.
A special MAS tour of the Grand Meadow Chert Quarry occurred on June 8th. The tour started at the Mower County Historical Society and proceeded to the quarry for a wonderful tour of the quarry and the new signage and trail. We ended the day at another local landmark, the Four Daughters vineyard and winery. Thank you to the project director, Tom Trow for the great experience. It was a magical day.
Adams Historical Society: The Adams collection was gifted to the Adam’s historical Society on June 7th. The collection was made by a local family on their farm in the late 19th and early 20th century. The collection represents a 10,000 year record of Native American activity In southern Minnesota. Tom Trow and I gave brief remarks to a group of over forty local residence who were happy to receive the collection for their local museum.
The Pine City Knap in occurred at the MNHS, Snake River Fur Post on June 20th and 21st. A new generation of participants came out to learn about flint knapping, break some stone, share some stories and visit the fur post.
The Hill Lewis Award is given annually to an avocational archaeologist who has made outstanding contributions to study, education and preservation of Minnesota’s archaeological record. The 2025 award is going to Robert Suchanek who has been a volunteer with the Science Museum of Minnesota and an active member of MAS. Please see the announcement in this newsletter.
We are finalizing the 2025 Volume of the Minnesota Archaeologist which is a memorial volume to Steve Mulholland. Steve was remembered by the Northern Lakes Archaeology community he helped build with several projects he inspired and encouraged. The volume will focus on topics of flint knapping, lithics, copper, historic trade axes, and the fur trade which were all topics that Steve loved. Thank you to our guest editor Sue Mulholland and thank you to our retired editor, Danielle Kiesow for editing, layout, and printing help. The 2026 journal will be edited by George Holly and the articles lined up cover the archaeology of Western Minnesota.
September 26th will be our MAS annual meeting. We are returning to the MNHS Oliver Kelly Farm in Elk River. Our speaker for the evening will be archaeologist Dave Cooper who has spent a career studying the archaeology of the Great Lakes over and under the waves.
September is archaeology month. Watch our facebook page and website for more details about activities around the state. Last year we had five weekends of activities including Fort Snelling, Split Rock Lighthouse, Jeffers Petroglyphs, and Mille Lacs Kathio State Park. Archaeology Day at Mille Lacs Kathio State Park will be held on Saturday September 27th. The programs are important to remind the public about the complex and interesting history of Minnesota and that the archaeology under our feet is worth protecting.
Please Follow MAS on our Website, Facebook, and watch for announcements of online lectures.
Dan Wendt
(MAS Board President)