Have questions about artifacts or the Kanabec County area?
ASK AN ARCHAEOLOGIST!
Kanabec History Center is proud to introduce our new volunteer anthropologist and archaeological expert:
Jake Barnes!
When you have questions about an item, a site, or the history of the land Kanabec County sits on,
you can ask Jake (or be referred to Jake by other staff members)!
Ask An Archaeologist is a FREE service!
The rest of our Research Services at KHC cost $20/hour for non-members (free for members).
However, you can contact KHC with your questions for Jake at no charge to members or non-members!
See the FAQs below for some quick answers, or use the contact form at the bottom of the page
to send Jake your specific question! You can also email us (center@kanabechistory.org), give us a call (320-679-1665) or stop by the Center (805 Forest Ave W, Mora, MN, 55051) and staff would be happy to pass your question to Jake,
get you in touch with him, or have him evaluate an artifact for you!
Jake Barnes!
When you have questions about an item, a site, or the history of the land Kanabec County sits on,
you can ask Jake (or be referred to Jake by other staff members)!
Ask An Archaeologist is a FREE service!
The rest of our Research Services at KHC cost $20/hour for non-members (free for members).
However, you can contact KHC with your questions for Jake at no charge to members or non-members!
See the FAQs below for some quick answers, or use the contact form at the bottom of the page
to send Jake your specific question! You can also email us (center@kanabechistory.org), give us a call (320-679-1665) or stop by the Center (805 Forest Ave W, Mora, MN, 55051) and staff would be happy to pass your question to Jake,
get you in touch with him, or have him evaluate an artifact for you!
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Meet Jake!
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Hi! I’m Jake Barnes, your neighborhood anthropologist. I graduated from Mora High School in 2016, and from the University of Minnesota-Morris in 2020, majoring in anthropology. My primary focus was on human skeletal remains analysis in modern, historical, and archaeological contexts. My job at the Kanabec History Center focuses mostly on the lithics and ceramics analysis aspect of archaeology; this means I mostly look at stone tools and old broken pots, and I use this information to learn about the paleohistory of Kanabec County.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Archaeology!
Answered by KHC's expert! Click the + button to the right of each question to open the answer below.
What do archaeologists do?
Archaeology is one of the four subfields of anthropology, along with bioanthropology, cultural anthropology,
and linguistics. We study humans who are no longer alive.
We mostly do this by examining the ruins and artifacts they leave behind.
and linguistics. We study humans who are no longer alive.
We mostly do this by examining the ruins and artifacts they leave behind.
Where do archaeologists work?
Most commercial archaeologists work for Cultural Resources Management firms. These are the scientists who survey areas before construction projects begin. Others, like myself, work for museums.
We help curate collections and present the paleohistory (the study of the physical remains of ancient cultures or eras) of a specific area to the general public. Archaeologists with doctorate degrees can work at universities,
teaching the next generations of archaeologists.
We help curate collections and present the paleohistory (the study of the physical remains of ancient cultures or eras) of a specific area to the general public. Archaeologists with doctorate degrees can work at universities,
teaching the next generations of archaeologists.
How much can you determine from one artifact?
Not much, to be honest. Much of the information archaeologists gather comes from examining the context in which artifacts are found. Once a piece is removed from the ground, it loses most of its scientific value. Archaeology is the process of recording artifacts and their context, and using this data to learn about the past.
Can I search for artifacts anywhere?
It is unlawful to disturb any Native American burials, regardless of if they are on private property. It is likewise unlawful to gather artifacts from public or government-owned land. That said, you are allowed to keep any loose artifacts you find on your property, or on private property where you have the landowner’s permission to gather artifacts.
What should i do with the stone tools i find?
Show me!
I’d love to tell you anything I can about your finds! We can always display them at the Kanabec History Center,
citing you as the finder and donor. Otherwise, if you’d like to keep them, we’d love to simply photograph them so archaeologists have more data for their research.
If you can, please record where you found it and the context you found it in, with as much detail as possible.
I’d love to tell you anything I can about your finds! We can always display them at the Kanabec History Center,
citing you as the finder and donor. Otherwise, if you’d like to keep them, we’d love to simply photograph them so archaeologists have more data for their research.
If you can, please record where you found it and the context you found it in, with as much detail as possible.
What is this bone?
I’m a specialist in skeletal remains analysis! I’ve devoted most of my post-secondary education thus far to studying human and animal skeletons, and I’d be thrilled to examine any bones you have questions about (provided that they’re not attached to a living organism). At the very least, I should be able to tell you what species it came from.
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