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PURPOSES OF THE IDAHO ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY (IAS)

• To unite those interested in the archaeology of Idaho
• To promote cooperation between professional and amateur archaeologists
• To promote the systematic study of prehistoric and historic archaeological sites in Idaho
• To promote public education and professional scholarship relating to Idaho archaeology

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

Your Membership fees help the IAS to pursue its important activities and objectives.  As a member you will:

• Have a means of keeping informed about Idaho Archaeology through meetings, publications, etc.
• Receive the Idaho Archaeologist, a journal containing professional reports and other archaeological articles, photographs, and information.
• Receive information on chapter meetings, seminars, films, field trips, etc.
• Receive the Artifacts newsletter detailing IAS events and information on Idaho archaeology.
• Help professional archaeologists with public outreach programs.

THE NEED TO PROTECT

The Idaho Archaeological Society is concerned with the increasing destruction of the archaeological record.  People who don't know what they are doing often do this destruction.

All people have left evidence of their passage.  These remnants are the heritage of everyone.  Because artifacts exist in the context in which they are created, they tell a story of how a people lived.  Once an artifact is taken from context or a feature is damaged, that knowledge is lost to all of us.  The past is not a renewable resource, and the stories are important to all of us.  Professional archaeologists know that a site is destroyed when it's excavated.  That's why they excavate just a small portion.  An archaeologist is trained to interpret context by examining clues like a detective.  Pollen, pottery, insects, soil contents, artifacts and the layers above and below the site are carefully recorded and studied for their contribution to the story the site tells.  Later excavation techniques could be far more useful, so most of the site is saved for the future.  The past is not limited to objects--its' an environment.  If you find a site or an artifact, please, leave it in place and report it to authorities.