Mission Statement

The mission of the Illinois Archaeological Survey (IAS) is to document, interpret and preserve the archaeological record of the State, and to disseminate information about the cultural heritage of Illinois.  To this end, the Illinois Archaeological Awareness Month (IAAM) is held each year in September. The overreaching goal of IAAM is threefold: to inform Illinoisians about the state's cultural heritage as revealed through archaeology; to illustrate how prudent management of archaeological and historic resources provides educational, cultural and economic benefits to all citizens; and, to actively engage Illinoisians in the preservation of these nonrenewable resources.