Indiana Archaeology Month
Gov. Eric Holcomb has issued a proclamation declaring that September is Indiana Archaeology Month. The proclamation document as well as the commemorative poster image are at on.IN.gov/archaeologymonth. You will also find information regarding the events that will be taking place around the state—just click on the button “View all Events” below the calendar.
Be sure to follow the DNR Facebook page. There will be an Indiana Archaeology Month theme week of posts on that page beginning Sept. 3, and the Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology Facebook page will also feature archaeology-themed posts during the month.
Dr. James R. “Rick” Jones III
It is with great sadness that we share the news that Dr. James R. “Rick” Jones III, Indiana’s second State Archaeologist, passed away Aug. 27. Dr. Jones retired from the DNR’s Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology (DHPA) at the end of August 2014. He had been with the DHPA, Indiana’s State Historic Preservation Office, since 1987 and was appointed State Archaeologist in 1991, making him our longest serving State Archaeologist to date.
On his last day of work before retirement, he was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash by then Gov. Mike Pence. The DNR director and State Historic Preservation Officer at the time stated that the award honored “his many decades of dedicated service to the archaeological resources of our state, the discipline of Midwest archaeology, and the people of Indiana.”
Dr. Jones will certainly be missed by his DHPA colleagues, current and former, as well as many others in the archaeology and historic preservation communities. The DHPA Archaeology Team members specifically will remember him for his over 25 years of mentorship, guidance, friendship, and sharing of Indiana archaeology knowledge.
He was a true friend to many, and an influential teacher to quite a few professionals practicing in our field today.
As current State Archaeologist I would like to personally pay tribute to Dr. Jones. I learned what it means to be a State Archaeologist from him. During the decades I knew Rick, he was my respected colleague and coworker, an archaeology mentor, my co-author on several archaeology publications, and of course, a friend.
Our state has lost an important archaeologist.
Amy L. Johnson
State Archaeologist
Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology