Program Resources
Archaeological Center and Laboratories Building: 1636 East Ave. near Cartwright Center
UW-L has
dedicated an entire, newly renovated building to house a
large, well-equipped archaeology laboratory and research
center. This facility contains student and staff
laboratory space, equipment, student computers, and
comparative research collections of hundreds of
thousands of artifacts. In addition, the laboratory
contains extensive reference collections of Midwestern
plants and animal skeletons used by the specialists in
residence for training students in the study of ancient
human subsistence practices. The Archaeological Studies
Program and the Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center
share this facility.
The Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center (MVAC)
MVAC is a
non-profit research and public education institute
located on the UW-L campus that supports undergraduate
research experiences and is a source of employment for
students in archaeology. MVAC is dedicated to discovery,
research, historic preservation, and education
concerning the ancient Native peoples and historic
Euro-American settlement of the Upper Mississippi
Valley. The staff consists of several
archaeologists, historic preservationists, and
archaeology educators and a support staff. MVAC
staff members teach occasional courses in the
Archaeological Studies Program and serve as advisors for
Readings and Research in Archaeology (ARC 409) and the
Senior Project/Thesis (ARC 499). It also provides
many activities to bring archaeology to primary and
secondary schools. Volunteer opportunities are always
available. If you are interested in volunteer
opportunities, see Joe Tiffany or Connie Arzigian or
Ernie Boszhardt.
Archaeology/Anthropology Classroom: 311 Carl Wimberly Hall
Located in Carl Wimberly Hall, Room 311 is outfitted as a dedicated archaeology classroom. It seats 40 students and contains large wall maps, tables, and hundreds of archaeological study specimens from around the world. A human osteological study collection is maintained along with a set of hominid fossil skull casts. The room has advanced projection equipment for video, computer, and slide presentation and maintains an extensive video collection.
Murphy Library
The Murphy Library, located centrally on the UW-L campus, has more than 10,000 volumes on archaeology, anthropology, and closely related topics. Murphy's collections also include many major archaeology, anthropology, and related journals.
Archaeology Scholarships
Students interested in pursuing a scholarship at UW-L are encouraged to pick up the Scholarship and Awards booklet. This publication contains information on hundreds of scholarship opportunities campus wide, with some aimed at students of archaeology and anthropology, such as the Maurice and Elizabeth Graff Scholarships and the Scott Carnes Memorial Scholarship Fund. In the past few years, many Archaeological Studies students have received scholarships. Please pick up this booklet and apply! You can obtain one at the UW-La Crosse Financial Aid Office in 215 Graff Main Hall or online at www.foundation.uwlax.edu/sch.html. The deadline for scholarship applications is March 1 of each year.
Employment and Volunteer Opportunities
A wide range of opportunities are available through the Department of Sociology and Archaeology and the Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center. MVAC has seasonal positions in field work and laboratory processing of artifacts. Students start as volunteers and with experience may be eligible for paid positions. Contact Dr. Connie Arzigian at the Archaeology Laboratory, (608) 785-8452.
Computer Labs
Computer labs are found in all academic buildings, dorms, and the archaeology lab. Students should take advantage of all the computer resources available, especially on the World Wide Web.
Anthropology Minor
The department also offers a minor in Anthropology. We recommend that students interested in continuing in graduate schools consider this minor, as most graduate programs in archaeology are within Anthropology departments.Geoarchaeology Minor
A new minor has just been developed in geoarchaeology which applies to the techniques of geology and geomorphology to archaeological problems.Archaeology Lecture Series
Distinguished lectures in archaeology are sponsored by the Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center in conjunction with Archaeological Studies. The lecture series typically hosts one renowned archaeologist or anthropologist each semester speaking on current topics of national or international importance.
Archaeological Internships and International Opportunities
Credit can be obtained for internships and independent foreign research. In the past, our student majors have studied in Belize, Malta, France, England, Scotland, Israel, China, Egypt and other countries. Students are encouraged to seek international opportunities through their professors, the Internet, or the UW-La Crosse Office of International Education at 116 Graff Main Hall.
Archaeology Club
This student-run organization is open to all UW-L undergraduates. The club meets monthly, hosting a variety of special programs featuring student and faculty research. The club organizes fundraisers, trips to professional meetings, educational field excursions, and other events each year. If interested, see Dave Anderson for details.
