2022 Annual Meeting

Quick Links:  COVID-19 Precautions  •  Hotels  •  Registration  •  Purchases  •  Workshops and Roundtables  •  Reception  •  Field Trips  •  Banquet  •  Behavioral Expectations  •  Abstract Submissions  •  Student Competition  •  Schedule of Events
	Download the Meeting App Final Program Schedule (PDF) Abstracts (PDF)

La Crosse, Wisconsin (October 13–15, 2022)

La Crosse Convention Center
300 Harborview Plaza
La Crosse, WI 54601 
See map and directions
Explore La Crosse for information on the La Crosse area

 

Meeting Organizer and Contact Information

Constance Arzigian  carzigian@uwlax.edu*

Vicki Twinde-Javner vtwinde-javner@uwlax.edu

*Contact Arzigian for general questions and MAC abstract submission

 

Conference Theme

This year's theme for the conference will be Sharing Perspectives.  Sharing archaeological perspectives is a long tradition for the MAC, which draws hundreds of attendees from throughout the region. This year, professional, student, and avocational archaeologists are invited to gather on the beautiful banks of the Mississippi River to share their research perspectives and ideas, and news about their latest work. A new addition to this year's conference will be numerous opportunities to share perspectives and information with Tribal Historic Preservation Officers and other Indigenous participants. Evolving policies and practices have increased consultation between Indigenous Nations and archaeologists, but much of that process is formal and project specific. The MAC will feature not only formal presentations but also informal opportunities to facilitate sharing information and perspectives between the region's Indigenous and archaeological communities.

 

Meeting Sponsors

Thank you to those that helped make the meeting possible:

 

	Platinum Sponsors ($1000+)
	University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Mississippi Valley Archeology Center University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh University of Wisconsin-Parkside Wisconsin Archeological Survey Wisconsin Archaeological Society
	Silver Level Supporters ($500)
	Illinois Archaeological Survey Department of Anthropology Minnesota State University-Mankato Conference on Michigan Archeology Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Logan Museum of Anthropology, Beloit College

 

COVID-19 Precautions

The MAC organizers are following CDC guidelines and encourage everyone to be vaccinated. If you get sick, please follow the CDC guidelines regarding quarantine and isolation based on your vaccination status. If you do get sick while at the meeting, please contact the meeting organizers to set up a zoom call for the presentation.

Mask wearing will be up to the discretion of each individual.

 

Hotel and Parking

Hotels

The conference hotel is the Radisson, next to the Conference Center, alongside Riverside Park and the Mississippi River.

Radisson
200 Second Street South
200 Harborview Plaza,
La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601
Phone:608-668-2448

Rooms at the conference special rate are available through September 12. After that, they will be released.

Free cancellation before October 11. Use this Booking link for the Radisson [includes promo code MAC21] for 65th Midwest Archaeological Conference rates:  

• 1 Queen bed: $152.00/night
• 1 King bed $162
• 2 Queen beds $172.  

The hotel has a free shuttle from the nearby Amtrak depot and La Crosse Regional Airport (LSE) and free parking for overnight guests.

Overflow hotel room blocks are at these hotels:

Courtyard by Marriot: $149/night. Call and request to be in the Midwest Archaeology Conference Group
Free parking for overnight guests.
Address: 500 Front St S, La Crosse, WI 54601;  608-782-1000

Home2Suites: Use Home2Suites booking link (with promo code applied automatically) $139/night
Free parking for overnight guests.
210 Jay Street, La Crosse WI 54601; 608-881-6666

Hampton Inn & Suites: $164/night. Call and request to be in the Midwest Archeology Conference 2022 grouping.
Address 511 3rd Street North, La Crosse, WI 54601: 608-791-4004

Candlewood Suites: $96/night. Call and request to be in the MAC or Midwest Archaeology Conference Group.
Address: 56 Copeland Avenue, La Crosse, WI 54601; 608-785-1110

Parking and Directions

There are two paid parking ramps near the Convention Center (https://lacrossecenter.com/visitors/)

 

Registration Steps and Options

Regular registration must occur prior to submission of abstracts. Regular registration rates are in effect until September 19th and should be purchased online through the MAC website. Late registration rates start on September 20th and after October 5th all registration must be done in person at the meeting with on-site rates. 

A digital version of the meeting program with abstracts will be available as a pdf file on the website and on a downloadable app.  One paper copy of the meeting program is included with the registration fee when purchased online. No extra paper copies of abstracts will be available at the meeting.  

Registration fees include meeting workshops (some with lunch), coffee breaks, reception appetizers (cash bar), and the banquet.

Registration Steps

1. Look through and decide which registration option from the list below is most appropriate for you.

2. Make sure you are logged into your MAC user account (or create a new account if you don't have one yet) and visit your My Account page.

3. On your My Account page:

   • Scroll down to the MAC Annual Meeting banner and click on the blue button to complete the MAC Presidential Task Force anti-harassment policy certification (see Behavioral Expectations section below). 

   • Purchase your registration. Make sure to submit your meeting preferences at this time as well.

   • Submit abstracts to symposia and presentations (for MAC members only)

   • Double check or edit your "My Meeting Preferences" for receptions and workshops.

Registration Type	Online Early Price*	Online Late Price*	On-site Price*
Regular MAC Member**	$120	$140	$140
Retiree MAC Member**	$85	$100	$100
Student MAC Member**	$60	$75	$75
Non-MAC Member	$150	$165	$165
Student non-MAC Member	$85	$100	$100
Attendee Guest (does not include banquet)	n/a	n/a	$35
Single Day (does not include banquet)	n/a	n/a	$60
Single Day for Students only (does not include banquet)	n/a	n/a	$20
* Regular price registration is available to purchase online through the MAC website through September 19th, 2021. Online late registrations will take place between September 20th and October 5th. After October 5th, registrations and other purchases will be on-site only. **Current members of MAC are eligible to make presentations (paper, poster) at the Annual Meeting. If you are not a current MAC member but wish to make a presentation, you must first become a member of MAC, Inc.

Other Purchases	Online Price	On-site Price
Ticket for Banquet*	n/a	$30
Historic Archaeology Lunchtime Roundtable	$5	n/a
Historic La Crosse Walking Tour	$5	n/a
Vendor Table	$30/table	n/a
* The Banquet (Friday night) is included in meeting registration price except for Attendee Guests and Single Day registrants. To participate, the banquet ticket must be paid for separately for these categories.

 

Workshops

GPR Demonstration [updated 9/30]

Thursday, October 13, 9-11 am

** Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) Session, Bill Quackenbush (Ho-Chunk Nation). Meet by the west entrance to the La Crosse Center, adjacent to Riverside Park, to walk to scan area. The demonstration will include a GPR scan of a small area in Riverside Park as a demonstration about the use of Ground Penetrating Radar within the context of archaeological work. Discussion will demonstrate how GPR use is utilized within many tribal preservation programs, as well as to demonstrate how non-invasive techniques can be utilized to support archaeological field work in practical ways. In addition, posters and handouts will be incorporated within the demonstration to assist in the conference session experience.

Space is limited, so if plan to attend please sign up from your My Account page. Each registrant will need to sign up on their own user account. 

Student Workshop: Bridging the Gap: Collaboration Among Professionals

Avocationals, and Descendant Communities, Friday lunchtime (Lunch provided)

In this workshop, four panelists will discuss their experiences and views on artifact collecting in archaeology. Each panelist brings a different perspective, allowing for a conversation on how to build collaboration amongst avocationals, professionals, and descendant communities. Through open and honest discourse, we work towards bridging the gap in communication. Lunch will be provided for those students who register ahead of time. Students may sign up when registering (no fee). While there is a limit on pre-registration, additional students and professionals may attend and participate without pre-registering.

Oneota Ceramics and Other Artifacts Workshop

Saturday afternoon at the La Crosse Center (preregistration is not required)

This will be an informal opportunity for people to display examples of their Oneota ceramics, distinctive lithics, bone tools, etc, so that participants can get a sense of the regional variation across the region and share ideas. Indicate in My Meeting Preferences if you would like to display any materials. We will contact you separately to work out logistics. You do not need to register ahead of time to attend. 

Historical Archaeology Lunchtime Roundtable 

Saturday lunchtime ($5 fee, preregistration through purchase is requried)

Informal opportunity for sharing research and ideas. 

 

Panel Session with Wisconsin Tribal Historic Preservation Officers

Friday; Both in-person and zoom option for panelists.

At this time, six THPOs have agreed to participate. Topics to be discussed will center around sharing perspectives between archaeologists and Indigenous Nations. The topics include, but are not limited to, the importance of Indigenous knowledge and how it can add to a complete archaeological interpretation; what Indigenous communities want archaeologists to know, to reflect upon, and to look for; and most importantly, to understand that the Indigenous community encourages archaeologists to contact THPOs, Elders, Traditional Leaders or others for additional information and for help in the interpretation of what they find. As a panel format was chosen, there will be more opportunities for the audience to ask questions and participate in discussions, as well as suggest other ways of sharing perspectives between archaeologists and Indigenous communities. 

Attend the Zoom presentation :

Topic: THPO Panel-MAC 2022
Time: Oct 14, 2022 09:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
Link: https://wisconsin-edu.zoom.us/j/91063891371?pwd=cjhiWkVKUGdVVkV5NEhrSFNpb3NPQT09 

Meeting ID: 910 6389 1371
Passcode: 240258

One tap mobile
+16469313860,,91063891371#,,,,*240258# US
+13017158592,,91063891371#,,,,*240258# US (Washington DC)

Find your local number: https://wisconsin-edu.zoom.us/u/acio2glzQO

 

Boat Cruise

La Crosse Queen Boat Cruise on the Mississippi River, with pizza, tap beer, soda, and cash bar. Thursday evening, Boarding 5:20 pm; cruise 5:30 to 7 pm, leaving from Riverside Park, by the Radisson and La Crosse Center. Attendees can select the Boat Cruise during registration or add it no later than October 4.  ($28 per person) 

** The La Crosse Queen Boat Cruise will board at the north end of Riverside Park, within easy walking distance of the Radisson and the La Crosse Center. If people choose to drive to the boarding location, they are able to park in the parking lot labeled “River Cruise Parking” on the north end of Riverside Park. It is just past the public restrooms on the right-hand side. Guests may also find street parking in Riverside Park if there is availability.

Boarding location: North end of Riverside Park,  405 E Veterans Memorial Dr, La Crosse, WI 54601 

 

Reception at the La Crosse Center

Thursday evening; scheduling will allow participation in both the boat cruise and reception. 

Please indicate whether you plan to attend the receptions while you are setting your My Meeting Preferences. This is not required for attendance, but helps the organizers make sure there will be enough appetizers. 

 

Field Trips

Mississippians at Trempealeau: An Early Eleventh Century Community in Cahokia’s Northern Hinterlands [FILLED UP]

Leaders: Danielle Benden & Ernie Boszhardt of Driftless Pathways, LLC.

Join archaeologists Danielle Benden and Robert “Ernie” Boszhardt on a guided tour of the Squier Phase Mississippian settlement in the modern Village of Trempealeau, Wisconsin. Benden and Boszhardt will summarize previous investigations from the first antiquarians who documented the Little Bluff platform mounds to their current research. Since 2013, Benden and Boszhardt have co-directed the Trempealeau Archaeology Project, a research and public outreach program, where they have led field investigations and developed local exhibits and an interpretive trail. Join them for a stroll through modern Trempealeau to discover what they’ve learned about Mississippians who came here nearly 1,000 years ago. On the tour, participants will visit survey and excavation localities, see remnant platform mounds, and hike up the scenic Little Bluff Mounds Trail. This portion of the tour will end by 11:00 AM for those interested in returning to La Crosse for the conference opening ceremonies.

An optional extension will continue into nearby Perrot State Park where we will visit the site of early French posts and tour the archaeology exhibit in the Park’s Nature Center. This will add about 45-60 minutes and requires a State Park Sticker which can be purchased in advance at https://yourpassnow.com/ParkPass/wi

Thursday morning October 13
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM; Meet at: Shirley M. Wright Memorial Library, 11455 Fremont Street, Trempealeau, WI. [participants are responsible for their own transportation]
No fee (other than state park sticker for those who wish to continue to Perrot State Park).
[Please sign up ahead of time in your My Meeting Preferences so we know how many people to expect]

Silver Mound: The Source of Hixton Silicified Sandstone Leaders [FILLED UP]

Ernie Boszhardt and Danielle Benden of the Driftless Pathways LLC.

For 13,000 years, Native Americans mined Hixton Silicified Sandstone at Silver Mound.  The 250-acre hill contains over 1,200 quarry pits and several rockshelters, a few of which have rock art. Join Ernie Boszhardt and Danielle Benden on a hike to the Dwyer Rockshelter, Geske Pictographs, Rainy Day Petroglyphs, and a major quarry  complex that contains more than 400 pits. Learn about the geology and archaeological history of this National Historic Landmark.

This trip includes strenuous hiking conditions. It is not recommended for those who are not agile and comfortable walking off trail and over steep, rugged hills with loose rock in places.

Saturday afternoon October 15
1:00 PM - 3:30 PM; Meet at Hixton/Alma Center KOA, N9657 State Road 95, Alma Center, WI. [participants are responsible for their own transportation]
[No Fee; please sign up ahead of time in your My Meeting Preferences so we know how many people to expect]

Historic La Crosse Walking Tour

Join UWL archivist, book author, and heritage preservation commissioner Laura Godden on a walking tour of La Crosse’s distinctive downtown. The tour will give an overview of important historical and archaeological points of interest, including sites related to lumbering, brewing, railroading, and river transportation. It will also highlight architecturally significant structures and preservation efforts.

[$5 fee; 2-4 pm Saturday]

 

Banquet & Entertainment

Friday evening. Tickets to the banquet are included with all full 3-day registrations. Those attending with one-day registration can add the banquet separately while on site.  A variety of entertainment is planned.  We have invited two talented Native singers/storytellers to perform after the banquet.
[Cost for Banquet, if signing up separately: $30, on site]

Banquet and MAC Awards Presentations: Friday 7-9 pm Ballroom. Buffet Menu: Roasted chicken garnished with mushrooms, and creamy boursin cheese sauce; 3-cheese ravioli served with a basil pesto cream sauce, sliced cherry tomatoes, and mushrooms (contains pine nuts); long grain wild rice; spring blend (squash, carrots, zucchini, broccoli, & cauliflower); mixed greens, carrots, red onion, cucumber, radishes, tomatoes, and croutons; French & balsamic vinaigrette; dinner roll & butter.  

Entertainment: Ballroom.  Kelly Jackson and her Jazz Trio will be the honored guest performers on Friday night after the reception and dinner.  Kelly Jackson is an international award winning Native American artist and a member of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. Her edgy and soulful pieces have decorated stages across the United States, Europe and Canada.  Her debut album, Spirit of a Woman, earned a Native American Music Award for best Americana Album of the Year. Her single, After All This Time, earned a #1 spot on XM World and Indigenous Music Countdowns. Ms. Jackson’s genre is Native Americana, having roots in folk, jazz, blues, country, hip/hop and rock all infused with native influences. 

 

Behavioral Expectations

To help prevent incidents of harassment in any form at our annual meetings, the MAC anti-harassment Presidential Task Force has established a policy requiring all annual meeting registrants to certify that they are not currently cited or censured under Title IX, by the Register of Professional Archaeologists, or by any other adjudicating body, or subject to a current restraining or no-contact order issued by a judicial authority. Registration for the annual meeting will not be possible without this certification step being completed. If you have any questions about this policy, please contact the MAC President.

 

Abstract Submissions

Papers on all topics of interest to midwestern archaeologists, precontact to historic, are welcome. This year, the conference theme is Sharing Perspectives, and papers addressing ways we can all communicate and share our unique perspectives are particularly welcomed. 

Papers will generally be 15 minutes in length, but symposia organizers may propose other formats. Abstracts should be no more than 150 words. Symposium organizers will submit an abstract for each symposium online through the MAC website. Symposium submissions must include the symposium title, symposium abstract, and a list of all symposium presentations by contributor(s). Symposium organizers create a unique key code and provide it to presenters – presenters then use this code in their individual submissions.

After you have registered for the meeting, MAC members can start their submission from your My Account page.

Paper and Poster Abstract Submissions:

*Special note on the use of images of human remains: The MAC recognizes that images of human remains have the potential to be offensive and unsettling to some members of our community and those communities with whom we work. MAC policy encourages presenters NOT to use photographs of human remains but that if essential, line drawings are preferred. We ask that presenters please indicate on their abstract submission that your presentation will include any such images of human remains. We will mark these with an asterisk in the program and on the conference app. We also request that presenters disclose at the beginning of their presentations if such images are included. These measures are intended to create a more respectful environment for all.

Submission deadline has been extended through 11:59 pm (EDT) on September 19, 2022  Submission are currenlty closed

All paper and poster presentation submissions will be done online through the MAC website.

• Each individual submission must include the following: Title, Author(s) (with institutions), and Abstract Text. Each presenter may submit multiple presentations; there is no limit to the number of co-authorships. *If a presenter has conflicting presentations (scheduled at the same time), it is their responsibility to find someone to read their papers.
• Abstracts are limited to 150 words in length.
• If your presentation is part of a symposium, you must also include the symposium Key Code provided by the symposium's organizer.
• Posters will be hung up on the wall, using blue painters tape, poster putty, or the equivalent (we will have a supply). Therefore, there are no size guidelines for posters.

Symposium Abstract Submissions:

Submission deadline has been extended through 11:59 pm (EDT) on September 19, 2022  Submission are currenlty closed

Symposium organizers will submit an abstract for each symposium online through the MAC website.

• Each submission must include the following: Symposium Title, Symposium Abstract Text, and List of all Symposium Presentations with Author(s). 
• Symposium organizers must create a unique Key Code and provide it to their presenters.
• Abstracts are limited to 150 words in length.

Visit your My Account page now to start your submission.

 

Student Paper Competition - Deadline Extended

The Midwestern Archaeological Conference Student paper competition was created to promote scholarly excellence among students conducting archaeological research in the midwestern U.S.  The MAC student paper competition was created to promote scholarly excellence among students conducting archaeological research in the Midwestern U.S.  Awards will be decided by the MAC student paper committee based on intellectual merit and methodological execution.

• The graduate winner receives a cash prize of $150 plus books solicited by the conference organizer from willing vendors.   
• The undergraduate winner receives a cash prize of $150 plus books solicited by the conference organizer from willing vendors.  In addition, the undergraduate faculty advisor receives a free MAC membership for one year (only one advisor can be designated per student).

Eligibility:

Anyone currently enrolled in a degree granting institution may apply. Students who were eligible for the student paper competition 2020 are also allowed to submit their papers for this year’s competition. Papers must be single authored and be submitted by the competition deadline.

How to Apply:

Email your paper as a pdf or word document to Susan Kooiman at skooima@siue.edu with the subject heading: MAC Student Paper Competition by 11:59 PM EDT on Friday, September 30 October 7, 2002.  The paper presented at the conference must have the same content as the manuscript submitted to the competition review committee.  The submitted manuscript must be no more than 10 double spaced pages of text with 12 pt. font.  Accompanying figures, tables, and references cited must be placed on separate pages at the end of the paper and will not count toward the 10 page limit. Papers over 10 pages in length will not be read or otherwise included in the competition.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE:  Friday, September 30th  October 7th

All submitted manuscripts must include a cover letter with the paper title, abstract, the student’s name, and the degree-granting program and their current status in that program. Undergraduates wishing to designate an advisor must also include the name and affiliation of the advisor. 

The winners of the Competition will be announced at the Annual Business Meeting of the Midwest Archaeological Conference. The winner(s) will receive their prize(s) the following day. The Committee reserves the prerogative to defer the Competition and award in the event of a shortage of entries.

 

Preliminary Schedule of Events

Additional details will be posted when available

Thursday, October 13th

Morning:
Workshop: Ho-Chunk Nation Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) demonstration in La Crosse
Field trip: Mississippians at Trempealeau: An Early Eleventh Century Community in Cahokia’s Northern Hinterlands  

Noon:
Conference opening ceremony with Indigenous speaker(s) and an invocation.

Afternoon:
1pm: Symposia, Contributed Papers, and Posters

Evening: 
5:20-7pm: La Crosse Queen Boat Cruise on the Mississippi River
Reception at the La Crosse Center

Friday, October 14th

Morning and afternoon: 
Symposia, Contributed Papers, and Posters
Panel Session with Wisconsin Tribal Historic Preservation Officers

Lunchtime 
Student Workshop:  Bridging the Gap: Collaboration Among Professionals, Avocationals, and Descendant Communities

Evening
Reception and cash bar
5:15 pm: Wisconsin Archaeological Survey meeting
Banquet and MAC Awards Presentations: 7 pm

Saturday, October 15th

Morning:
Symposia, Contributed Papers, and Posters

Lunchtime:
Historical Archaeology Lunchtime roundtable

Afternoon:
Workshop: Oneota ceramics and other artifacts
Historic La Crosse Walking Tour
Field Trip: Silver Mound: The Source of Hixton Silicified Sandstone.