About

Our Story

Since 1879

The Archaeological Institute of America (AIA) is North

America’s oldest and largest organization devoted to the

world of archaeology.

The Institute is a nonprofit group founded in 1879 and chartered by the United States Congress in 1906. The Denver society was organized in 1903 and incorporated in 1904. Today, the AIA has nearly 210,000 Members and more than 100 Local Societies in the United States, Canada, and overseas. Our members include professional archaeologists, corresponding members, students, and enthusiasts, all united by a shared passion for archaeology and its role in furthering human knowledge. For information about our national Institute, please go to the national web site: www.archaeological.org.

The Denver Society is one of the oldest in the nation. Once thought to be the oldest west of the Mississippi, documentation indicates that it was established in 1903 at the same time as the Southwest Society, which was based out of Los Angeles. However, that documentation was produced in 1907 by the Southwest Society. Examination of documents produced by the Colorado Society state the Colorado Society was organized in 1904. However, it would seem more likely that both the Southwest Society and the Colorado Society were both founded in 1903 but not chartered until 1904. Regardless, the Denver Society is one of two of the oldest societies west of the Mississippi.

The Board consists of the following members:

• President: Mr. Francis Cressotti
• Vice President, Webmaster & Communications: Aaron Theis, MA
• Treasurer: Ms. Anne Black & Ms. Pat Cockerill
• Secretary/Membership Secretary: Melissa Logan, MA
• Transportation: Ms. Anne Black
• AIA Liaison & Member-at-Large: Mr. Dennis Murphy
• Member-at-Large: Erik DeMarche, MA
• Member-at-Large: M. Dores Cruz, PhD
• Emeritus Advisor: Mr. Jim Jansson