Michigan Archaeological Society

Michigan Archaeological Society

Please print out a Membership Application and send in with your check

Membership

Thank you for joining the Michigan Archaeological Society. The purpose of the society is to inform members and educate the public of the need to recognize, understand and preserve the remains of past cultures for our own knowledge and for future generations. The MAS is made up of chapters around the state. Each chapter meets monthly (September thru May) for a business meeting and usually a presentation is given by a guest speaker knowledgeable about archaeology.

MAS members participate in several educational and hands-on activities around the state. These include artifact displays, artifact identification opportunities and primitive technology demonstrations. There are also several statewide events during October which has been designated as Archaeology Month in Michigan.

An annual MAS Spring meeting is held in Lansing at which time the activities of each chapter are reported on, Society business is discussed and members vote for MAS Board officers. Guest speakers give presentations on their work at various sites, and show displays of artifacts. The Spring meeting offers a fine opportunity to meet with others from around the State that share the same interests. Invitations to the Annual Spring Meeting, as well as other activities, will be sent to you several weeks before the event.

The MAS also publishes, the "Michigan Archaeologist" which contains detailed information on specific archaeological sites and finds. Although we are working hard to catch up, we are currently behind in our publication schedule. We are trying very hard to get back on schedule and still publish a quality journal.

The membership year runs from January to December.

To familiarize yourself with various aspects of Michigan Archaeology and archaeology in general we recommend the following books:

Some suggested readings:

(Best books for beginner's!)

Retrieving Michigan's Buried Past: The Archaeology of the Great Lakes State (Bulletin (Cranbrook Institute of Science), 64.) by John R. Halsey, Michael D. Stafford

Geology of Michigan by John A. Dorr, Donald F. Eschman

The Archaeology of New York State by William A. Ritchie

Stone Age Spear and Arrow Points of the Midcontinental and Eastern United States: A Modern Survey and Reference by Noel D. Justice

Beneath the Inland Seas: Michigan's Underwater Archaeological Heritage, edited by State Archaeologist John R. Halsey and State Maritime Archaeologist Wayne R. Lusardi,

Archaeologists Dig for Clues by Kate Duke is a great introductory book for kids ages 5 to 9.

In Small Things Forgotten: An Archaeology of Early American Life by James Deetz

The above books may be found at www.amazon.com or in many public libraries.

The Cater Site: The Archaeology, History, Artifacts and Activities at This Early 19th Century Midland County Site. Edited by Dr. David J. Frurip.

Invaded on all Sides; The Story of Michigan’s Greatest Battlefield By Ralph Naveaux a 400 pg book on the River Raisin Battlefield is available at the Monroe County Historical Museum

There are also back issues of the "Michigan Archaeologist" Journal for sale. They are also available through some libraries. These journals are an invaluable part of understanding the prehistory of the Great Lakes region.

Thank you for joining the Michigan Archaeological Society! If you have any questions, please e-mail tk_bennett@yahoo.com