CHAMPAIGN – Timothy R. Pauketat, a University of Illinois professor of Anthropology, is the new director of the Prairie Research Institute’s Illinois State Archaeological Survey (ISAS). Pauketat, who has been a visiting research scientist at ISAS since 2016, has conducted most of his archaeological field research at and around the Native American city of Cahokia. 

“Archaeology is about the pursuit of knowledge for the betterment of human society, and with its track record of conducting massive-scale archaeological investigations with attention to micro-historical details ISAS is uniquely well suited to doing work that impacts society,” Pauketat said. “I’m excited to continue working with the passionate, dedicated professionals at ISAS as we pursue these goals together.”

Pauketat’s research interests are in the broad relationships between history and humanity, materiality and agency, affect and ontology, and religion and urbanism. Prior to joining the University of Illinois faculty in 1998, Pauketat held faculty appointments at SUNY Buffalo and the University of Oklahoma; he also worked at the University of Michigan’s Museum of Anthropology and the Center for American Archaeology.

An Illinois native, Pauketat credits his time as a student archaeology intern for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District, with showing him that archaeology could be his lifelong career.

“ISAS performs critical work to protect, preserve, and interpret the previous cultural resources of Illinois, and also, through its sustained collaboration with the Illinois Department of Transportation, plays a vital role in supporting infrastructure and development. Dr. Pauketat’s leadership will ensure that the survey’s scholarship and impact continue and grow,” said PRI executive director Mark Ryan.

For more about the Illinois State Archaeological Survey, visit www.isas.illinois.edu.