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News from ISAS

The Illinois State Archaeological Survey protects, preserves, and interprets irreplaceable and non-renewable cultural resources within the context of Illinois’ need to encourage and promote sustainable development. ISAS is a division of the Prairie Research Institute (PRI).

blog posts

  • Bringing Cahokia’s grid into the real world

    Sep 19, 2018 10:00 am

    Staff from the Illinois State Archaeological Survey (ISAS) are looking to new technology to tie Cahokia’s grid to real-world coordinates. This will be the first time researchers and other state agencies will be able to integrate LiDAR with excavation data at Cahokia.

  • ISAS will feature augmented reality at Pygmalion Festival’s demo event

    Aug 30, 2018 2:45 pm

    The Illinois State Archaeological Survey (ISAS) will participate in the Pygmalion Festival’s demo event happening Sept. 27 from 5:30-9:30 p.m. at the Krannert Art Museum on the University of Illinois campus.

  • Ancient Cahokia Future Visions Conference brings goal for Cahokia becoming a National Park to the forefront

    Jun 4, 2018 9:15 am

    Ancient Cahokia Future Visions Conference brings goal for Cahokia becoming a National Park to the forefront.

  • Exchange Avenue figurine survives to tell us about Cahokia

    May 25, 2018 7:45 am

    Exchange Avenue figurine survives to tell us about Cahokia

  • ISAS helps collect data from the Mann site

    May 14, 2018 12:30 pm

    ISAS partners with organizations to collect data from the Mann site.

  • Journal of the Illinois Archaeological Survey publishes Volume 28 & 29 in honor of Dr. Thomas E. Emerson

    Apr 11, 2018 11:15 am

    The Illinois Archaeological Survey recently published its 28th and 29th volume in honor of Dr. Thomas E. Emerson. Dr. Emerson’s career has spanned over 45 years in cultural resource management and during that time he has been a passionate advocate for publishing archaeological research.

  • ISAS work at Kimball House reveals artifacts

    Apr 2, 2018 8:30 am

    While digging out the floors this week during the ongoing restoration of the Nancy Kimball House in Elgin, workers uncovered the 1846 house's original cistern. The discovery prompted Liz Marston of the Elgin Area Historical Society and Museum to contact the Illinois State Archaeological Survey's Northern Illinois Field Station in Elgin, which sent three archaeologists to have a look Thursday.

  • Archaeological work in Jackson Park turns up remnants of the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893

    Mar 24, 2018 9:30 pm

    Archaeologists turned up remnants of the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893, the fabled White City that drew millions of visitors to Chicago’s Jackson Park, as they scoured the site of the Obama Presidential Center and nearby parkland as part of the federal review of plans for the proposed complex.

  • Director Thomas Emerson announces he will retire at the end of 2018

    Feb 6, 2018 2:15 pm

    Dr. Thomas E. Emerson, director of the Illinois State Archaeological Survey (ISAS) and Illinois’ first State Archaeologist, announced he will be retiring at the end of 2018. Dr. Emerson’s career has spanned over 45 years in cultural resource management and he has been director of ISAS since 1994.

  • ISAS archaeologists travel to China for Shanghai Archaeology Forum

    Jan 9, 2018 2:45 pm