Highlights Archives
What Archaeologists Do Over the Winter Months
All summer long in Wisconsin, museum archaeologists spend a lot of time digging things up and investigating historic and cultural sites. But did you ever wonder what these same archaeologists do during the winter when they're not digging? Between March and December, museum archaeologists, in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, are busy doing research in the field. In the winter, the archaeologists are still engaged in research — the action has just moved indoors, where the next stage of discovery occurs. Archaeologists study people by means of the physical evidence they've left behind: artifacts, changed landscapes, historical documents and structures. This physical evidence is used to reconstruct the daily lives of past peoples.
The Indiana Jones Factor
Popular films, novels and games have created a misleading image of archaeology as consisting of exotic locations and life-threatening situations, where explosives are the preferred means of excavation. These are tales of fictional worlds and situations. While the archaeological profession has its share of excitement, modern practitioners focus on careful documentation of all findings, minimizing damage to the archaeological resources and, where possible, on preservation in place
The entertainment industry also rarely shows archaeologists after that first moment of discovery. Thus the audience is not invited to study the physical evidence, to discover connections between objects, people and places, or to learn more about a particular moment in human history. Perhaps this facet of archaeology does not receive much fictional treatment as it usually occurs in a less glamorous laboratory setting and is the most time-consuming part of an investigation. Nevertheless, these "hidden" activities uncover information that would not otherwise be known and contribute greatly to our understanding of the past.
In the Laboratory
So what does happen after that first moment of discovery? Archaeologists need to study the resulting artifacts and data to better understand the lifeways of past Wisconsin peoples. Archaeological field research generates many bags of artifacts and samples, reams of field notes, bundles of field maps and a considerable number of photographs. All these materials are brought to the Society's archaeology lab for study during the winter. The artifacts must be cleaned and samples must be processed before the identification process can begin. As these collections contain both microscopic and macroscopic objects, a range of analytical techniques are used.
The analysis of some types of objects requires specialized training. Animal bones and plant remains are identified using the techniques of zooarchaeology and paleo-ethnobotany. It may be necessary to submit samples to professional labs for radiocarbon dating to learn the age of an object or DNA testing to discover the type of grain used to make bread.
The analysis also includes research among historical documents and public records. Society archaeologists study all of Wisconsin history, from the first peoples to those residing in our state only 50 years ago. Historical documents and public records are an important source of information.
Sharing the Knowledge
The museum staff shares the resulting stories of Wisconsin's past with a variety of audiences. Exhibits and public presentations are used to engage the general public within their community. Workshops and activities have been developed for use in classrooms and with child/youth-focused organizations. The results of research are also published in avocational and professional venues such as local historical society newsletters, archaeological journals (e.g. The Wisconsin Archeologist), and in-house publications (e.g. Museum Archaeology Program Archaeology Research Series).
The museum permanently curates state-owned object collections and associated documentation at the headquarters building in Madison. The Society has conducted archaeological research in every Wisconsin county, resulting in a substantial collection of objects attributable to both Native American cultures and historic Euro-American settlers. The long-term partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation has resulted in the formation of a significant and irreplaceable archaeological research collection of national importance. The curatorial staff ensures access to the Society archaeological collections for use in exhibits and outreach, as well as academic and professional research.
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