Center for Wisconsin Archaeology

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Center for Wisconsin Archaeology Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Center for Wisconsin Archaeology, Archaeological service, 2 Wakeman Street, Madison, WI.

The mission of the Center for Wisconsin Archaeology is to empower present and future generations by making the human past accessible and relevant through archaeological research, experiential education and public service in archaeology

Just over 2000 years ago, artisans in Wisconsin making projectile points modified their hafting strategy by narrowing th...
09/21/2026

Just over 2000 years ago, artisans in Wisconsin making projectile points modified their hafting strategy by narrowing the base of the stems of their projectile points from the previous iteration of straight stems creating a contracting stem. These examples come from a site in Northeastern Wisconsin along the shores of Green Bay. You will notice there is a variety of treatments between the points...some have rounded shoulders, others have angular shoulders, some have very slight shoulders and are barely stemmed points at all. Again, this is the difference between point guides ideal "types" and the realities of different quality raw materials, different skill levels of artisans, regional variation and all of the variables that go into manufacture for handmade items at any given time or place.

About 2,300 years ago in Southern Wisconsin, projectile point makers, apparently building off of prior stylistic trends,...
09/18/2026

About 2,300 years ago in Southern Wisconsin, projectile point makers, apparently building off of prior stylistic trends, created larger straight stemmed points like the ones pictured below. There is some variation in how the shoulders are treated with some being angular and others being rounded, but the unifying trait is the straight stem, a wider and longer variant of the previous technology. These points are from a site in Milwaukee County from a site that no longer exists due to urban development.

If you are looking for a good opportunity to learn more about Wisconsin archaeology, we are teaching a 12 week course th...
08/31/2026

If you are looking for a good opportunity to learn more about Wisconsin archaeology, we are teaching a 12 week course through Madison College's Continuing Education program this fall. We meet once a week on Monday evenings. This class is for people who are just getting started and it may have some surprises for those who have been involved for awhile.

This promises to be an interesting event, if you are free, definitely check it out!
08/29/2026

This promises to be an interesting event, if you are free, definitely check it out!

Starting about 3,000 years ago, small expanding stemmed projectile points (overlapping with a corner-notched variety) be...
08/26/2026

Starting about 3,000 years ago, small expanding stemmed projectile points (overlapping with a corner-notched variety) became very popular in Southwestern Wisconsin and throughout the northern part of the Eastern United States. There were numerous variants of the stem and base of these points as can be seen from these three examples from the Driftless Area. This is the beauty of handmade tools and it illustrates weaknesses in typology. The bottom photograph is the full range of the Durst Stemmed type as it was defined from the type site, the Durst Rockshelter by Warren Wittry. What we often find in projectile point guides is an idealized type that really does not reflect the reality of what was made and is found.

3,450 years ago in Southwestern Wisconsin, a new point type appears in the archaeological record that features corner-no...
08/17/2026

3,450 years ago in Southwestern Wisconsin, a new point type appears in the archaeological record that features corner-notching and a diminutive size, presumably to facilitate its use as an atl-atl projectile. Its popularity continued for about 500 years with a presumed end sometime around 2,950 years ago. It is important to remember that when certain styles and technologies fall out of favor, it does not happen all at once and instead we see the frequency of the type diminish over time, usually with plenty of overlap with the next popular style or technological innovation.

Here is an opportunity to take a class on Wisconsin archaeology if you live in the Madison area. See the flyer for deta...
08/14/2026

Here is an opportunity to take a class on Wisconsin archaeology if you live in the Madison area. See the flyer for details.

08/14/2026

The Center for Wisconsin Archaeology is a private not-for-profit community-based education outreach organization dedicated to empowering present and future generations by making the human past accessible and relevant through archaeological research, experiential education and public service in archaeology. Founded in 2013, we have finally found a permanent home in Madison, Wisconsin where we have a research library, laboratory and educational spaces. Check out our website at Cent4wisarch and our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram for more information!

It would be remiss to not mention that in addition to the medium-sized side-notched projectile points previously posted,...
08/13/2026

It would be remiss to not mention that in addition to the medium-sized side-notched projectile points previously posted, there was also the extra-large version as seen below. These are less commonly found in Wisconsin during the period 5,000 to 3,500 years ago and there has been some suggestion that they may have served a ceremonial function (although this may have more to do with their initial discovery location). This point is from Southwestern Wisconsin in the Driftless Area.

Many of the copper items produced between 6,000 and 3,500 years ago in Wisconsin are utilitarian objects, things that we...
08/12/2026

Many of the copper items produced between 6,000 and 3,500 years ago in Wisconsin are utilitarian objects, things that were used every day for a variety of tasks. These awls are good examples of the types of items produced. All come from a site in northeastern Wisconsin along the shore of Green Bay.

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2 Wakeman Street
Madison, WI
53705

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+16084384677

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