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MVAC hosts lecture on the rising trend of artifact trafficking

Posted 3:56 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012

Every year, millions, if not billions of dollars' worth of protected artifacts change hands in the underground world of illegal artifact trafficking and fraudulent misrepresentation of Native American arts and crafts. The rising tide of trafficking and misrepresentation threatens to steal and destroy irreplaceable items that make up American cultural history. U.S. Department of the Interior Officer Bob Palmer will speak about the problem during a UW-La Crosse presentation. He’ll speak on "Time Bandits and Those Who Pursue Them: A Story of Cultural Resource Theft (and Protection) in America" at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, at Port O' Call, Cartwright Center-Gunning Addition. The event, hosted by the Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center, will include a presentation of MVAC’s annual awards and a display of some of the materials recovered by MVAC staff excavating at Second Avenue in Onalaska this past summer. A social begins at 6 p.m. followed by the awards presentation at 6:30 p.m.

MVAC 2012 Awards:

James P. Gallagher Award: A-1 Excavating, Inc. This year’s James P. Gallagher Award goes to A-1 Excavating of Spooner, Wis., for its exemplary approach in working with MVAC staff on a complex and challenging project in downtown Onalaska. Archaeological monitoring was written into the STH 35/2nd Avenue reconstruction project because a site was known to exist, but extensive urban development meant there was no way to know before construction started whether any of the site remained intact. Pavement removal revealed surprisingly extensive intact deposits, leading to complex planning to balance archaeological commitments with public safety and keeping the project on track. A-1’s cooperative, friendly and constructive attitude in working with MVAC during this challenging time earned the respect and admiration of all the MVAC staff. This award is MVAC’s thank you to everyone who represented A-1 on the project. Regional Archaeology Award: Dan and Judy Maas As a youngster Dan Maas used to collect artifacts near his home on La Crosse’s south side. As owner of La Crosse Building Systems LLC, his interest continues as he has discovered thousands of artifacts while building pole barns and collecting artifacts over the past 55 years. According to Dan, the most exciting thing is when someone brings something in that he is able to help them identify. Maas and his wife, Judy, have participated in MVAC’s Artifact Shows since 2001 and frequently attend MVAC lectures. They have displayed their collection at Archaeology Day at Silver Mound, at the Collinsville, Ill., Prehistoric Artifact Show, the Nebraska Artifact Show and others. Dan and Judy have generously donated and placed on loan some of their collection to the Museum of Native American History in Bentonville, Ark., as further testament to their commitment to share the treasures of the past with others. For their continued commitment to archaeology and preserving the past, MVAC selected Dan and Judy Maas for the Regional Archaeology Award. Archaeology Education Award: Robert and Gretchen Chalsma Bob Chalsma contacted MVAC in early 2011 to conduct a survey on his property north of Holmen. Hoping to sell the property in the future, he wanted to document any potential archaeological resources on the property to preserve the history of the land. In the spring of 2011, MVAC asked to bring a group of school children out to help survey the project and the Chalsmas were very excited to give them the experience of finding a piece of the past. During the survey, three sites were found on the property, expanding knowledge of prehistoric cultures in the Holmen area. The Chalsmas have graciously allowed MVAC to conduct the public field school within one of the sites the past two summers. Bob allowed archaeologists to excavate test units within their corn and soybean fields and was especially pleased to have school children and teachers participate in the digs. If you go  — What: “Time Bandits and Those Who Pursue Them” Where: Port O' Call, UW-L Cartwright Center-Gunning Addition When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, with awards presentation at 6:30 p.m. Admission: Free

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