Archaeology

Office of the State Archaeologist

The office of the Wisconsin State Archaeologist is a part of the Division of Historic Preservation. The office serves the public in the following ways:

• It maintains state records on archaeological sites.
  By state law ( Section 44.48 Wisconsin Statutes), the office maintains maps and a computer database on the location and nature of archaeological sites in the state. The location of archaeological sites is exempt from public disclosure. To report an archaeological site contact State Archaeologist John Broihahn.

• It protects archaeological sites on state and public lands through a permit system.
  Under state law ( Section 44.47 (4) Wisconsin Statutes), it is illegal to remove archaeological artifacts or conduct archaeological research on state and municipal lands without a permit from the Office of the State Archaeologist. The law applies to the bottomlands of lakes and rivers owned by the state or municipal governments and covers submerged sites such as shipwrecks. Permits are normally only given to professional archaeologists. For more information contact State Archaeologist John Broihahn. . For more information on how archaeological sites are protected in the state, see our Preservation page.

• It administers property tax exemptions for archaeological sites.
  As an incentive for the protection on archaeological sites on private lands, state statute provides property tax exemptions to property owners who formally agree to protect the sites.

• It provides public lectures, public education materials and school programs on the archaeology of the state and provides volunteer opportunities for the public.
  It assists the Society's Office of School Services in the production of classroom materials. For more information, view our Learn about Archaeology and Get Involved pages.

• It conducts archaeological research on Wisconsin past and disseminates the information in the form of reports, summaries, and publications.
  One important publication is "The Wisconsin Archaeologist," published by the Wisconsin Archeological Society. For other Society archaeology publications, view titles from the Wisconsin Historical Society Press and Museum Archaeology Program.

• As part of the Division of Historic Preservation, the state archaeologist office provides federal Historic Preservation Grants to qualified organizations to identify important archaeological sites in the state and nominate them to the National Register of Historic Places. Contact State Archaeologist John Broihahn .