Who We Are
As a group of dedicated students and faculty in the WSU Anthropology Department, the City Archaeologist Office is where hands-on, real world learning and preservation occurs on campus for Wichita. Thanks to community and university support, those associated are able to contribute to the knowledge of the local area, both past and present.
What We Do
The City Archaeologist Office of Wichita, KS has furthered the cooperation between the City of Wichita and Wichita State University for the expansion of historical knowledge of the area and the preservation of its artifacts. With the help of the community, faculty, and students, many significant artifacts have been documented and preserved including arrowheads, grinding stones, animal bones, and even post-contact artifacts.
Our Story
Since its creation in 1977 by Dr. John McBride, Dr. Donald Blakeslee, and former City Manager Gene Denton, the office has employed a City Archaeologist from a pool of graduate students who are committed to cultural resource management (CRM). Thanks to this collaboration between WSU and the City of Wichita, around 65 sites have been surveyed in the surrounding metro area alone. The Office collaborates with the Kansas Antiquities Commission and Kansas Historical Society for decades to promote archaeological compliance work, as required in state and federal laws such as the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966.
Future Endeavors
The City Archaeologist Office of Wichita now looks forward to developing a multivocal approach in its work in public archaeology to allow tribal spokespeople, city and state officials, stakeholders, and community members to voice their interests. Open communication and continued cooperation will be key in maintaining and improving the mission of preserving local culture and history. We look forward to establishing a social media page to keep the public more informed on the contributions by the office and those affiliated.
Institutions in Wichita
Interested to learn more about the general history of Wichita? The Sedgwick County Historic Museum offers many exhibits for fun learning opportunities.
The Kansas African American Museum (TKAAM) offers the opportunity to learn more about the history of the African American community in Kansas. Click here to see more information for visits and events.
If you are interested in learning more about the heritage and culture of the indigenous communities, be sure to check out MAAIM's website for information on tours exhibits and events!
Kansas State Historical Society (KSHS)
Interested in learning more about Kansas Archaeology? Click here for KSHS Archaeology page for general information!
Curious about laws regarding archaeological sites and materials? The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), page offers information over preservation, unmarked burials, and antiquities laws!
Interested in potential field school opportunites? Be sure to check the Kansas State Historic Society for additional opportunities offered outside of WSU.
FAQs
Wonderful! The Kansas Historical Society maintains state records of all recorded archaeolgoical sites. You can review the process here to submit a site to the registry.
The City Archaeology Office does not evaluate artifacts for authenticity or value. However, we love providing educational information for individuals! Check out the Archaeological Association of South-Central Kansas for an opportunity to have other interested folks look at your collection, or send an email to the City Archaeologist.
Check out the Archaeological Association of South-Central Kansas to meet other interested individuals! The Kansas Archeological Training Program is another great place to learn how to excavate and protect Kansas archaeological sites.
You can contact either the main Anthropology Department contact or the City Archaeologist directly!
The City Archaeologist Office is not currently taking private donations of physical archaeolgoical materials. To support the work of the Office financially, please reach out to the City Archaeologist directly or to the Wichita State Foundation.