Seth Allgeier recently joined the Illinois State Archaeological Survey (ISAS), a division of the Prairie Research Institute (PRI), as a curation specialist. With a BA in Anthropology from Mercyhurst University, Seth’s career has spanned nearly four years in cultural resource management archaeology. His experience extends across 12 different states, from California to West Virginia and Illinois. Throughout this time, he has worked on numerous projects, each with the shared goal of preserving cultural resources and data.
At PRI, Seth is leveraging his fieldwork experience to assess, organize, and digitize Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) site documents. His dedication to understanding the past is deeply rooted in his own family history, as he hails from a farm in Erie, Pennsylvania that’s been in his family since the 1840s. As the sixth generation to grow up there, Seth’s lifelong connection to history shapes his professional work today. Keep reading to learn more about Seth’s journey, tools of the trade, and advice for those just starting out in archaeology.
Q&A with Seth Allgeier
Q: Tell us about yourself and your role at PRI.
A: At PRI, I’ve been working with ISAS curation. My current project involves assessing, organizing, and digitizing IDOT site documents. While this is something new for me, my archaeological fieldwork experience gives me a unique and beneficial skillset for this project. I understand the various processes in archaeology, which allows me to approach the documentation work with a fresh yet informed perspective.
Q: What drew you to your area of work or study?
A: I’ve been a life-long lover of history. Growing up on a farm in Erie, PA, that’s been in my family since the late 1840s, I’m part of the sixth generation of the Allgeier family to live there. I guess I’ve always been aware of the historic record and my place in it. Surrounded by historic materials, it was only natural that my curiosity led me to a career centered around preserving history.
Q: What tools are indispensable to your work?
A: Sticky notes! Organizing thousands of documents can get messy, and sticky notes are incredibly valuable for separating and identifying different types of documents.
Q: What questions do you get asked most frequently about your career?
A: I think most archaeologists can relate to this one: "What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever found!?"
Also: "Archaeology? That’s like dinosaur bones, right?"
My answer is usually, "No, more like dead people’s garbage."
Q: What advice would you give to those just starting out in your field?
A: Don’t be afraid to be a generalist. Specialization seems to be a big concern for newcomers, but I believe that in archaeology, it’s important to keep learning and broadening your knowledge. The more you know, the more adaptable you become.
Q: What do you do in your free time? (i.e., hobbies, family life, etc.)
A: Recently, I’ve taken up bouldering at Urbana Boulders in Urbana, IL. It’s fun, challenging, and a great workout. My partner Hannah, our friends, and I are always finding things to do together, like playing Dungeons and Dragons, board games, watching movies, and crafting. And, of course, as an archaeologist, beer is usually involved!