James P. Gallagher Award in Archaeology Excellence

Constance M. Arzigian

This year’s James P. Gallagher Award is being given to MVAC’s own Connie Arzigian. Connie is being recognized for her many, many contributions to MVAC through the years. This year’s most notable contribution included Connie serving as Conference Chair for the Midwest Archaeological Conference, co-hosted by MVAC in October, 2011. Connie was involved in every step of the planning and implementation of the event, and it was one of the most successful conferences on record. Connie is on Wisconsin’s list of archaeologists qualified to work with human burial sites, and spent much of the past summer working on recorded burial sites in Rice Lake, Dickeyville, and the King Veterans Home, contracting with a variety of agencies to ensure protection of these sensitive sites. From directing and supervising field schools, giving archaeology presentations throughout the Midwest, research, and working with all levels of students, Connie’s wealth of knowledge and experience continues to be an extremely valuable asset to MVAC.

Regional Archaeology Award

Mississippi Valley Conservancy

The Mississippi Valley Conservancy (MVC) works to conserve native and working landscapes in the Coulee Region. Several properties MVC has worked on in recent years have not only preserved important farmland and habitats, but have also protected archaeological sites from development. The Eagle Eye State Natural Area in Vernon County is located within the larger Cade Archaeological District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Seven effigy mounds are located on the property, and will now be preserved for future generations. In 2009, the MVC worked with Otto and John Swennes of Holmen to place a permanent conservation agreement on their land to protect the farmland, the woods, and the creek. That protection extends to the archaeological site on the farm as well, which is unique in that it includes artifacts from 12,000 year old mastodon bones to late Native American winter camps. In working with MVAC to help preserve sites, the Conservancy’s work definitely benefits the archaeology of the Coulee Region.

Archaeology Education Award

John Morris

John Morris has been working with MVAC since the 2000 Public Field School, when he joined us in excavating a house structure at the Krause site, learning to ignore the huge bulldozer that was removing the earth only a few feet away. Since then he has returned almost every summer, becoming one of the regular supervisors of the Public Field School. We can count on him to take responsibility for a complex feature or unit, and teach students of all ages what to do and why. He helps them understand the full process of archaeology, including the ever-present paperwork. To facilitate this, John prepared a manual on the survey and excavation process, which we now distribute to every student. John’s background in chemistry has led to several professional joint papers on the analysis of burned residues on prehistoric ceramics. He can always be counted on for a good joke, a ready trowel, a sharp pencil, or a creative solution to an archaeological problem. It is for this willingness and eagerness to share the excitement of archaeological discovery that John is being honored with the Archaeology Education Award.