The Archaeological Institute of America (AIA) is a North American nonprofit organization devoted to the promotion of public interest in archaeology, and the preservation of archaeological sites. It is based at Boston University.

The institute was founded in 1879, with Charles Eliot Norton as its first President until 1890. It was chartered in 1906 by the United States Congress. The institute currently has over 200,000 members and more than 100 local societies.[1]

The American Journal of Archaeology, published by the Institute, is freely available on the net. The institute has also published the magazine Archaeology since 1948.

Harrison Ford, who portrayed the fictional archaeologist Indiana Jones in four films, serves as a General Trustee on the Governing Board of the AIA.^[1]

The current president is Professor Brian Rose of the University of Pennsylvania; Teresa Keller is Executive Director.

The AIA, as part of its site preservation efforts, supports along with the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology the Sustainable Preservation Initiative, directed by archaeologist Larry Coben. The Initiative focuses on preservation in Greece, Mexico, Turkey, and non-OECD countries. The institute utilizes new paradigms of preservation that incorporate local empowerment and sustainable economic development.

[edit] External links

• Official site
• American Journal of Archaeology
• Sustainable Preservation Initiative

[edit] References

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