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Kentucky Archaeology Month 2021

It’s that time of year again! We’re pleased to present our poster for this year, featuring the Middle Archaic period. Posters and brochures will be available for pickup soon, please contact Anne Bader for more information.

We realize that with current Covid situation in Kentucky there may be fewer events this year, but if you are involved with or know of an event, please email lstein@ciarch.com to get it added to our calendar. We encourage everyone to stay safe out there!

KyOPA Small Research Grant – Updated Call For Proposals

KyOPA welcomes proposals from full and associate members on an annual basis for the KyOPA Small Research Grant. Our research grant program is intended for students and other members conducting independent research that contributes to a thesis, dissertation, or other publishable manuscripts. Grants will be awarded to support specialized analytical procedures that offer great potential to expand our knowledge of Kentucky archaeology. Examples of previously funded analyses include radiocarbon and luminescence dates, thin sectioning, micromorphology samples, scanning electron microscopy, and trace element analysis. Proposals are reviewed by the Small Research Grant Committee, composed of current members of the KyOPA Board of Directors. The amount of funding and the number of grants awarded are based on funds available, the merit of each application, and the number of applications. KyOPA strives to award at least one Small Research Grant per year totaling approximately $500. However, when funds are available, KyOPA will attempt to grant additional awards of an equal or lesser amount. This grant is made possible by funds raised from KyOPA membership dues and KyOPA fund raising events. In addition, 501c3 tax-deductible donations can be made at any time to fund additional grant awards – just click the “Donate” button (Paypal) on the lower right side of the KyOPA webpage!

Proposals are accepted at any time during the year. However, funding decisions are made once a year.  All proposals submitted by January 1st of each year will be evaluated by KyOPA Small Research Grant Committee and an announcement will be made at that year’s Kentucky Heritage Council annual archaeology conference.

Proposals should be concise – no more than 2 pages of text in length not including figures, tables and references cited – and describe:

(1) A research question (ideally structured as a hypothesis/ test expectations).

(2) How the proposed work will address the research question.

(30 How the proposed work contributes to both local archaeology/history and broader anthropological/theoretical issues.

(4) A cost estimate of the analysis.

(5) The research question and methods should be supported by appropriate references cited and figures (when relevant).

Researchers who are awarded a KyOPA Small Research Grant are required to present the results of their KyOPA-funded analysis at the Kentucky Heritage Council (KHC) archaeological conference via a research poster or paper within two years of receiving the grant.  A brief oral report of the analytical results will also be announced by the awardee at the KHC conference during the KyOPA business meeting. The research should also contribute to a thesis, dissertation, or a peer-reviewed publication such as an academic journal or edited volume.

Submit proposals as a PDF document via email to the KyOPA president (currently: Duane Simpson; duane.simpson@cardno.com) by the due date for review by the KyOPA Board of Directors. It is highly recommended that you contact the KyOPA president to discuss the suitability of the proposed research prior to submitting a proposal to the KyOPA grant program.

KAM 2021 Poster Contest

It’s that time of year again! We once again are holding a poster contest for 2021 Kentucky Archaeology Month. The theme this year is the Middle Archaic Period in Kentucky. Please see the attached document for further details.

Winning artwork and design will be used as the official poster for the sixth annual Kentucky Archaeology Month “Celebrating Kentucky Archaeology” program. Calling all artists and graphic designers to submit poster designs that reflect their interpretation of Kentucky’s rich heritage. The KAM steering committee will select three finalists from the designs submitted. Finalists will be e-mailed to the KyOPA membership and the winner will be selected by a full membership vote.

The official Kentucky Archaeology Month poster will be distributed to the Governor’s office, members of Kentucky House, Kentucky Senate, as well as Kentucky libraries, schools, and various parks within the state.

Entries are due June 30th.
2021 KAM Poster Guidelines

Regarding Tom Des Jean and Dr. Jack Michael Schock

With heavy hearts, we sadly announce the deaths of two more of our fellow archaeologists, Tom Des Jean and Dr. Jack Schock. They will both be greatly missed, and our thoughts are with their families. Full obituaries are linked below.

Tom Des Jean: Funeral services will be held Thursday at Four Oaks Funeral Home in Oneida for Tom Des Jean, a former archaeologist at the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area. He died Monday, on his 72nd birthday. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5:00 PM- 7:00 PM and Thursday from 9:30 AM- 10:00 AM with Funeral Service at 10:00 AM at the J.C. Kirby & Son Lovers Lane Chapel with burial to follow in the Bowling Green Gardens. Read Full Obituary


Dr. Jack Schock: Dr. Jack Michael Schock, age 80, passed away Friday November 6, 2020 at his residence in Bowling Green, KY. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5:00 PM- 7:00 PM and Thursday from 9:30 AM- 10:00 AM with Funeral Service at 10:00 AM at the J.C. Kirby & Son Lovers Lane Chapel with burial to follow in the Bowling Green Gardens. Read Full obituary