Participants from all over Arkansas came to Jonesboro for the annual Arkansas Archeological Society Conference, uniting community members with similar interests.

The event, aimed to encourage community involvement and the sharing of archeological studies, was held at the Red Wolf Convention Center from Sept. 27-29. 

Festivities were kicked off Friday, presentations were conducted on Saturday, and the conference concluded with museum tours on Sunday.

The conference hosted Ashley Dumas as a keynote speaker. Dumas is a professor of anthropology at the University of West Alabama.

Ruth O’Laoughlin, a board member of the Arkansas Archeological Society, said having these events is a great opportunity for growth, development and aiding fellow archeologists in their studies. 

“It’s great for us to get together once a year to be able to share what everybody’s been researching and share what everybody’s been working on,” O’Laouglin said. 

The Archeological Research Fund (ARF) also hosted a silent auction and raffle for the conference. Prizes included books, artwork, t-shirts and posters. ARF uses money raised from the auction and raffle to fund archaeological projects in Arkansas.

Glen Akridge, the Bulletin Editor of the Arkansas Archaeologist Journal, said he enjoys the community the event has built.

“We just enjoy each other’s camaraderie and being able to get together at different times of the year, so that is also part of the attraction,” Akridge said. 

Gillian Steeno, who is a member of the Society Survey Liaison with the Arkansas Archeological Survey, said Jonesboro’s local chapter, the Central Mississippi Valley Chapter, meets at the A-State Museum once a month.

Further information on the Arkansas Archeological Society can be found at https://www.arkarch.org

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