Established in 2009, the Lawrence Archaeological Survey provides students opportunities to gain field experience in archaeology by helping local landowners and non-profit organizations identify and preserve archaeological sites. 

In recent years the Lawrence Archaeological Survey has focused on locating unmarked pioneer and institutional cemeteries using non-invasive geophysical techniques. 

The Grignon Study

Kaukauna’s Grignon Mansion is site of archaeologic investigation by Lawrence anthropology professor and students.

Equipment 

The Survey owns a Geoscan FM-256 differential gradiometer, a Geoscan RM-36 soil resistivity array, and a Geomatrix GV3 ground penetrating radar system, providing a full suite of geophysical instruments for archaeological survey.  The Survey also owns a full array of mapping instruments, including a sub-meter resolution Trimble GPS unit.

Excavations

The Lawrence Archaeological Survey conducts limited excavations, which have included large-scale testing at Bjorklunden prior to the original lodge's expansion and exploratory excavations to locate the 1857 Mount Carroll Female Seminary building in Mount Carroll, Illinois.

Lawrence University Archaeological Reports

Access archaeological reports from Lawrence University's Archaeological Survey.

Browse all Reports