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Archaeology Challenge, an academic competition in the field of archaeology for individual students and groups of students in Grades 4–12 in Missouri, is currently on hold.  It is hoped that this will be only a temporary hiatus and that the contest will be back, bigger and better than ever, in the 2008-2009 school year.

Check back here for updates and further information.

Despite the support mentioned above, the contest always maintained an identity separate from any group, organization, or corporation.  Unfortunately, this separation at times proved to be difficult for some persons to understand and to remember.  In order to emphasize the contest's independence, it was incorporated during the summer of 2007, and the official name of the organization is Archaeology Challenge, Incorporated, a non-profit corporation in the State of Missouri.  In addition, the contents of both the Student Contest Guide and the Judges' Handbook are fully protected by copyright.

The contributions of time and effort and the words of encouragement and support that have been received from various sources through the years--including teachers, parents, students, regional coordinators, members of the planning committee that formed the contest, and representatives of the sponsoring entities--have all been deeply appreciated and can never be adequately recognized or rewarded. 

Most especially, recognition and remembrance should be given to the late Karen Grace, former Preservation Education Coordinator in the Historic Preservation Program of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, who first conceived the concept of such a contest and was the primary force behind its creation.

It is perhaps interesting for those with a philosophical bent to ponder how something that may have taken years to create may be destroyed in a matter of minutes.  However, in many places in the world, one may see examples of how the work of many generations was turned to ashes and rubble within a span of only days or weeks, and it is precisely such situations that today help to make archaeology the fascinating hobby, avocation, or occupation that it is. 

Civilizations rise and fall, contests come and go, but life goes on.  May it always be interesting and rewarding, may it bring peace and joy, and may each of us be blessed as richly as we deserve!

Archaeology Challenge is not intended to involve students in doing archaeological research but rather in doing research on archaeological topics.  Collecting artifacts, digging, or other archaeological activities are specifically neither required nor encouraged, regardless of the type and amount of adult supervision.

For more information or to volunteer to assist with the future revitalization of the contest, please call, write, or e-mail the state director.  His contact information is listed below:

State Director:  Erwin Neighbors, P.O. Box 241, Moberly, MO  660-269-9464 or 660-341-5869 and fax (660) 269-9464  director@archaeologychallenge.org or eneighbors@yahoo.com
 

Last Modified:  March 02, 2008

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