Michael R. Finn
Wapsi Valley Archaeology, Inc.
126 East Main Street
Anamosa, Iowa 52205
Telephone (319) 462-2260
Personal Data
Date of Birth: August 19, 1951
Family: Married to Nurit Finn. Two sons, Daniel and Gabriel.
Educational Background
Graduate Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, coursework in Anthropology, Ph.D. candidate 1989.
University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, M.A. in Anthropology, December 1982.
Undergraduate University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, B.A. in Anthropology, July 1978.
Military Experience
U.S. Army, Special Forces Medical Specialist (91B4S). Honorable Discharge August 17, 1972.
Research Interests
Sociocultural evolution, tribal societies, political economy, North American archaeology, late prehistoric cultures, ceramic and lithic analysis.
Professional Experience
Employment History:
Partner/Principal Archaeologist, Wapsi Valley Archaeology, Inc., 2002 to present.
Freelance writer, June 1999 - January 2002.
Cultural Resources Specialist, Office of Archaeological Services, University of Alabama Museums. December 1994 - October 1997.
Archaeological Technician, Division of Archaeology, Alabama Museum of Natural History. October 1993 - December 1994.
Research Associate for completion of NAGPRA inventory, Museum of Anthropology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. June - October 1993.
Assistant Laboratory Director, Great Lakes Research, Williamston, Michigan. April 1992 - May 1993.
Archaeologist/Supervisor, Great Lakes Research, Williamston, Michigan. September 1989 - April 1991.
Archaeologist/Field Director, Louis Berger Consultants, East Orange, New Jersey. March 1983 - August 1986, March 1989 - June 1989.
Archaeologist, Iowa Department of Transportation Archaeological Surveys Program. March - August 1979, April - August 1980.
Archaeologist, Office of the State Archaeologist, University of Iowa. May - June, September 1976, and July - August 1977.
Teaching Positions:
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Anthropology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan. Human Evolution, and War and Aggression. Winter and Spring quarters (January - June) 1990.
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Anthropology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa. Introduction to Archaeology and Physical Anthropology, Culture and Society, and World Problems. Spring 1981, Fall 1982, Spring 1982 semesters.
Field Experience:
March 2002–present Principal Investigator for hundreds of Phase I archaeological surveys across Iowa including projects in Davenport, Dubuque, Keosauqua, Greenfield, Grinnell, Moravia, Shellsburg, Eddyville, Robins, Rose Hill, Silver City, Rippey, Johnston, Sabula, Dickens, Hartley, Sanborn, Le Mars, Seney, Merrill, Alton, Hospers, Hinton, Sunnybrook, Mt. Pleasant, Leighton, Sheldon, Cherokee, Remsen, Maurice, Grimes, Crabb Town, Maquoketa, Nashua, Floyd, Janesville, Dyersville, and Leighton, Iowa. Wapsi Valley Archaeology, Anamosa, Iowa.
January 2011 Principal Investigator, Phase I Survey for a Proposed Interchange for Highway 218, Benton County, Iowa. Project completed by Wapsi Valley Archaeology, Anamosa, Iowa.
December 2010 Principal Investigator, Archaeological Monitoring for Emergency Headcut Structures on the Maquoketa River at Lake Delhi Dam, Delaware County, Iowa. Project Completed by Wapsi Valley Archaeology, Anamosa, Iowa.
September 2010 Principal Investigator, Phase I Survey for a Proposed Interchange for Highway 18, Floyd County, Iowa. Project completed by Wapsi Valley Archaeology, Anamosa, Iowa.
June 2010 Principal Investigator, Phase I Survey for Proposed Water System Improvements, Nashua, Iowa. Project Completed by Wapsi Valley Archaeology, Anamosa, Iowa.
February 2010 Principal Investigator, Phase IA, cultural resources assessment and lake basin survey, Lake Delhi Dam hydroelectric project, Delaware County, Iowa.
February 2010 Principal Investigator, Phase I Survey for a Proposed Highway Improvement Project, Dyersville, Iowa. Project Completed by Wapsi Valley Archaeology, Anamosa, Iowa.
May 2008 Principal Investigator, Phase IA, cultural resources assessment and lake basin survey, Cedar Lake Dam hydroelectric project, County, Iowa.
October 2007 Principal Investigator, Phase I archaeological survey for a 1,079-acre APE for a proposed Multi-Purpose Range Complex at Camp Ripley, Morrison County, Minnesota. Project completed by Wapsi Valley Archaeology, Inc., Anamosa, Iowa.
June–July 2007 Directed Phase III excavations at Sites 13DM1043, 13DM1044, and 13DM1082 in Des Moines County, Iowa. Project completed by Wapsi Valley Archaeology, Inc., Anamosa, Iowa.
October–November 2006 Principal Investigator, Phase I testing of a convoy live fire range, urban assault course, and infantry squad battle course (totaling 406 acres), Camp Ripley Military Training Area, Minnesota, for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Project completed by Wapsi Valley Archaeology, Inc., Anamosa, Iowa.
February 2006 Principal Investigator, Supplemental Phase I survey, Big Hollow Recreation Area, Des Moines County, Iowa, for construction of an 800-acre recreational lake. Project completed by Wapsi Valley Archaeology, Inc., Anamosa, Iowa.
February 2006 Principal Investigator, Supplemental Phase II testing of Sites 13DM1043 and 13DM1044, Big Hollow Recreation Area, Des Moines County, Iowa. Project completed by Wapsi Valley Archaeology, Inc., Anamosa, Iowa.
August 2004 Principal Investigator, Phase II, Site 13HM8, Hamilton County, Iowa. Project completed by Wapsi Valley Archaeology, Inc., Anamosa, Iowa.
August–September 2002 Principal Investigator, Phase II, Sites 11RI30 and 11RI182, Rock Island County, Illinois. Project completed by Wapsi Valley Archaeology, Inc., Anamosa, Iowa.
November 2001 Field Archaeologist, Cultural Resources Surveys for Jones County, Iowa and St. Paul, Minnesota. Directed by Dirk Marcucci, Cultural Resource Management Services.
July 1998 Field Archaeologist, Cultural Resources Surveys for Jackson County, Iowa. Directed by Dirk Marcucci, Cultural Resource Management Services.
October–November 1994 Project Director, Phase III Mitigation at Site 1Ja206, Jackson County, Alabama. Principle Investigator, Carey Oakley, Office of Archaeological Services, University of Alabama Museums, Moundville.
March–June 1994 Project Director, Phase III Mitigation at Site 1Bt15, Blount County, Alabama. Principle Investigator, Carey Oakley, Office of Archaeological Services, University of Alabama Museums, Moundville.
June–September 1991 Site Supervisor, Phase III Mitigation (TCPL-2) at Site 20SA1033, Michigan. Crew member at 20SA1021, 20SA1043, 20SA291, Michigan. Project directed by Dr. Michael Hambacher of Great Lakes Research, Williamston, Michigan.
April–May 1991 Field Director, Phase II survey of 27 prehistoric and historic sites June - August 1990 in impact corridor of Great Lakes Gas Pipeline (TCPL-2), Lower Peninsula, Michigan. Project directed by Mark Branstner of Great Lakes Research, Williamston, Michigan.
Sept. 1989–June 1990 Field Director, Phase I survey of 150-mile-long corridor of the Great Lakes Gas Pipeline in the Lower Peninsula, Michigan. Project directed by Mark Branstner of Great Lakes Research, Williamston, Michigan.
July–August 1989 Crew member, Phase III excavation of Site 13KK348, a multicomponent site in Keokuk, Iowa. Project directed by Susan Gade for Louis Berger, Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
March–May 1989 Field Director for three Phase I Surveys in Maryland by Berger/Burkavage, Inc., for the Maryland Department of Transportation.
Nov.–Dec. 1988 Field Crew, Phase II Survey of historic sites at the Ft. Drum Military Reservation, Watertown, New York. Project directed by Phil Waite for Louis Berger, Inc. for the National Park Service.
October 1988 Field Crew, Phase II Survey at Manistee National Forest, Manistee, Michigan. Project directed by Dr. Peg Holman, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.
September 1988 Field Supervisor, Phase I Survey of the Plymouth Road Development Project. Project directed by Dr. John O'Shea, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
May–August 1988 Crew member, participated in a series of Phase I surveys and Phase II excavations in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Kentucky, and Connecticut for Louis Berger, Inc., East Orange, New Jersey.
March 1987 Field Crew, Phase I Survey of Conchas Reservoir New Mexico, by Mariah, Inc., Albuquerque, New Mexico. Project directed by Dr. Chris Lintz.
March–April 1986 Field Director, Phase III mitigation of two prehistoric sites along Route 92 corridor, Burlington County, New Jersey, by Louis Berger Inc. for the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
September–October 1985 Field Director, Phase II survey for prehistoric and historic sites at Scudder's Mills Interchange Middlesex County, New Jersey, by Louis Berger, Inc. for the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
July–August 1985 Field Director, Phase I Survey of the Somerset Expressway Corridor, Somerset County, New Jersey, by Louis Berger, Inc. for the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
October–December 1984 Field Director, Phase II excavations of the Wever Bypass, Lee County, Iowa, by Louis Berger, Inc. for the Iowa Department of Transportation.
March–April 1984 Field Director, Phase III excavations at Christiana Gateway Historical Site Project, Wilmington, Delaware. Project directed by Dr. Charles Leedecker, Louis Berger Inc.
January–March 1984 Crew Chief, Phase II and III excavations at the Barclays Bank Historic Site Project, New York, New York. Project directed by Terry Kline, Louis Berger Inc. for Barclays Bank.
March–July 1983 Field Director, Phase III excavations at Michael's Creek Locality, Louisa County, Iowa, by Louis Berger Inc. for the Iowa Department of Transportation.
May–December 1982 Field Archaeologist, Cultural Resource Surveys for the Iowa Department of Transportation. Directed by Dr. Joseph Tiffany, Office of the State Archaeologist, Iowa City, Iowa.
July–August 1981 Field Archaeologist, Cultural Resource Surveys. Directed by Dr. Joseph Tiffany, Office of the State Archaeologist, Iowa City, Iowa.
April–August 1980 Field Archaeologist, Cultural Resource Surveys for the Iowa Department of Transportation. Directed by Dr. John Hotopp, Highway Commission Archaeologist.
March–August 1979 Field Archaeologist, Cultural Resource Surveys for the Iowa Department of Transportation. Directed by John Hotopp, Highway Commission Archaeologist.
August–October 1978 Crew Member, excavations at the Rainbow Site, Plymouth County, Iowa. Directed by Dr. David Benn, Luther College, Iowa.
June–July 1978 Site Supervisor, excavations at the Milford Oneota Site, Clay County, Iowa, University of Iowa Field School. Directed by Lisa Tatum, University of Iowa.
July 1977 Crew Chief, excavations at the Mahaska County Coal Project, Iowa. Directed by Dr. Duane Anderson, Office of the State Archaeologist, Iowa City, Iowa.
November 1977 Crew Member, excavations at the Higgenbottom Mound Site, Iowa. Directed by Dean Thompson, Office of the State Archaeologist, Iowa City, Iowa.
October–November 1976 Crew Member, Piceance Basin Oil-Shale survey in Colorado and Utah. Directed by Dr. Calvin Jennings, Colorado State University.
July–August 1976 Crew Chief, excavations at the Cherokee Paleo-Indian Site, Cherokee, Iowa, University of Iowa Field School. Directed by Dr. Richard Shutler, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.
May–June 1976 Field Archaeologist, Cultural Resource Surveys for the Office of the State Archaeologist, Iowa. Directed by Dr. Duane Anderson.
May 1976 Crew Member, Brushy Creek State Recreation Area Survey Project, Webster County, Iowa. Directed by John Tandrich, Office of the State Archaeologist.
March 1976 Crew Member, Rathbun Lake Public Work Survey, Iowa. Directed by Michael Weichman.
November 1975 Crew Member, excavations at an Archaic ossuary, Council Bluffs, Iowa. Directed by John Hotopp, Highway Commission Archaeologist.
Fall weekends 1975 Crew Member, excavations of the Keystone Rockshelter, Jackson County, Iowa. Sponsored by the Iowa Archaeological Society
June–August 1975 Field School Student and Crew Member, Saylorville Reservoir Project. Directed by Dr. David Gradwolh, Iowa State University.
Selected Technical Reports and Professional Papers
Finn, Michael R.
2011 Phase I Intensive Archaeological Survey for Proposed U.S. Highway 218 Interchange, Three Borrow Areas, and Associated Side Road Relocations along U.S. Highway 30 in Benton County, Iowa. Wapsi Valley Archaeology Report #543.
2010 Phase I Intensive Archaeological Survey for a Proposed Interchange for U.S. Highway 18 near the City of Floyd, Floyd County, Iowa. Wapsi Valley Archaeology Report #498.
2010 Phase I Intensive Archaeological Survey for Farmers Electric Cooperative Electric Line Retrofitting Project DR-1763-IA-0077, Adair, Madison, and Union Counties, Iowa. Wapsi Valley Archaeology Report #474.
2010 A Phase II Archaeological Evaluation of Site 13BM131 for the Proposed Interstate 218 Bypass Project Near Janesville, Bremer County, Iowa. Wapsi Valley Archaeology Report #484.
2010 Phase I Intensive Archaeological Survey for Proposed U.S. Highway 20 Improvement Project NHSN-20-9(195)—2R-31, Located in and West of Dyersville, Delaware and Dubuque Counties, Iowa. Wapsi Valley Archaeology Report #467.
2010 Archaeological Monitoring for the Hartwick Area Riffle Emergency Headcut Structures on the Maquoketa River, Delaware County, Iowa. Wapsi Valley Archaeology Report #467.
2010 Phase I Intensive Archaeological Survey for the Proposed Water System Improvement Project for the City of Nashua, Chickasaw County, Iowa. Wapsi Valley Archaeology Report #492.
2009 Phase I Intensive Archaeological Survey of the Proposed Centerville Road (County Highway D53) Improvement Project (STP-S-CO49(48)--5E-49), Jackson County, Iowa. Wapsi Valley Archaeology Report #403.
2008 A Phase I Intensive Archaeological Survey of the Western Segment of the Proposed Flint River Trail, Des Moines County, Iowa. Wapsi Valley Archaeology Report #356.
2008 Phase IA Cultural Resources Assessment of the Proposed Cedar Lake Dam Hydroelectric Project, Nashua, Iowa. Wapsi Valley Archaeology Report #357.
2007 Historic Overview of the Cunningham Bridge, Madison County, Iowa. Wapsi Valley Archaeology Report #269.
2007 Phase I Cultural Resources Investigation of the Proposed Multi-Purpose Range Complex at Camp Ripley, Morrison County, Minnesota (Draft). Wapsi Valley Archaeology Report #341.
2007 Phase I Intensive Archaeological Survey of the Proposed Addition to the Diamond Lake Campground, Poweshiek County, Iowa. Wapsi Valley Archaeology Report #315.
2007 Supplementary Phase I Intensive Archaeological Survey of the Proposed Borrow Area for the Bluff Mill/Fountain Dale Bridge Replacement Project, Jackson County, Iowa. Wapsi Valley Archaeology Report #354.
2007 Phase I Intensive Archaeological Survey of a Proposed Sanitary Force Main Pipeline, Webster County, Iowa. Wapsi Valley Archaeology Report #283.
2006 Historic Overview of the Miller Bridge, Madison County, Iowa. Wapsi Valley Archaeology Report #233.
2005 Supplementary Phase I Archaeological Field Investigations of Proposed Additional Xenia Rural Water In-House Waterline Projects, Boone County, Iowa. Wapsi Valley Archaeology Report #158.
2005 Supplementary Phase I Archaeological Field Investigations of Proposed Additional Xenia Rural Water District In-House Waterline Projects in Dallas and Adair Counties, Iowa. Wapsi Valley Archaeology Report #162.
2005 Supplementary Phase I Archaeological Field Investigations of Proposed Additional Waterline projects in Service Area 1, Phase 3, Hamilton County, Iowa. Wapsi Valley Archaeology Report #160.
2005 Supplementary Phase I Archaeological Field Investigations of Proposed Additional Waterline Projects in Xenia Rural Water Service Area 3 Phase 1, Webster County, Iowa. Wapsi Valley Archaeology Report #161.
2005 Phase I Intensive Archaeological Survey of the Proposed Oak Ridge Estates Development, Cedar County, Iowa. Wapsi Valley Archaeology Report #163.
2005 Phase I Intensive Archaeological Survey of the Proposed Xenia Rural Water District Pipeline, North Service Area 1, Phase 3, Hamilton and Story Counties, Iowa. Wapsi Valley Archaeology Report #122.
2004 Bowstring Arch Bridges of Iowa. Published by Jones County, Iowa.
2004 Supplementary Phase II Testing of Site 13HM8, Hamilton County, Iowa. Wapsi Valley Archaeology Report #104.
2004 Phase I Intensive Archaeological Survey of the Proposed Xenia Rural Water District Pipeline, North Service Area 3, Phase I, Webster and Boone Counties, Iowa. Wapsi Valley Archaeology Report #90.
2003 Phase I Intensive Archaeological Survey of a Proposed Bridge Replacement Project (BROS-CO10(41)—8J-10), Buchanan County, Iowa. Wapsi Valley Archaeology Report #12.
2003 Phase I Intensive Archaeological Survey of a Proposed Ottumwa Regional Health Center Clinic Site, Eddyville, Iowa. Wapsi Valley Archaeology Report #11.
2003 Phase II Testing of Sites 11RI30 and 11RI182, Rock Island County, Illinois. Wapsi Valley Archaeology Report #5.
2002 Phase I Intensive Archaeological Survey of a Proposed Bridge Replacement Project (BROS-CO16(50)—5F-16), Cedar County, Iowa. Wapsi Valley Archaeology Report #9.
2002 Phase I Intensive Archaeological Survey of a Proposed Cellular Tower Construction (a.k.a. Shellsburg-U.S. Cellular), 6506 32nd Avenue, Shellsburg, Iowa. Wapsi Valley Archaeology Report #8.
2002 Phase I Intensive Archaeological Survey of the Proposed Moravia CDBG Sewer Improvement Project, Appanoose, County, Iowa. Wapsi Valley Archaeology Report #7.
2002 Phase I Intensive Archaeological Survey of a Proposed Expansion of Engineered Plastics Components, 1408 Zimmerman drive, Grinnell, Iowa, Iowa. Wapsi Valley Archaeology Report #6.
2002 Phase I Intensive Archaeological Survey of a Proposed Improvement to the Wastewater Collection System Keosauqua, Iowa. Wapsi Valley Archaeology Report #3.
2002 Phase I Intensive Archaeological Survey of a Nine Mile Grading Project (STP-S-CO95(33)—SE-95), in Grant and Linden Townships, Winnebago County, Iowa. Wapsi Valley Archaeology Report #2.
2002 Phase I Intensive Archaeological Survey of a Proposed Cellular Tower Construction (a.k.a. Maher Bros.–U.S. Cellular 1991), Section 04, T78N-R03E, Scott County, Iowa. Wapsi Valley Archaeology Report #1.
1997 The Three Tree Site, Site 1Ja206: An Archaic Site in the Sequatchie Valley Region of Jackson County, Alabama. Report prepared for the Alabama Department of Transportation by the Office of Archaeological Services, University of Alabama Museums.
1996 Data Recovery at the Blackburn Fork Site: A Prehistoric Occupation in the Murphrees Valley of Northeastern Alabama. Report submitted to the Alabama Department of Transportation by the Office of Archaeological Services, University of Alabama Museums. University of Alabama, Office of Archaeological Services Report of Investigations.
1995 A Preliminary Analysis of Site 1Bt15: A Multicomponent Site in Northeast Alabama. Paper presented at the 72nd meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Birmingham, Alabama.
1995 Some Social Implications of the Poverty Point Acquisition and Exchange Network, A View from the Alabama Hinterland. Paper presented at the 16th Mid-South Archaeological Conference, Jackson, Alabama.
1985 Oneota ceramics from the Wever Terrace: An evaluation of a proposed typology for southeast Iowa. Paper presented at the Plains Conference, Iowa City, Iowa.
1982 The Merrimac Mills Site (13JF92): A Study of the Site Positioning and Mobile Strategy of an Upland Archaic Site in Southeast Iowa. Unpublished M.A. Thesis, Department of Anthropology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.
1981 13JF92: An Archaic Site in Southeast Iowa. Office of the State Archaeologist D.O.T. Project Completion Report, Vol. 4, No. 79, Iowa City, Iowa.
1976 A Faunal Analysis of the Large Mammal Remains from the Keystone Rockshelter in Jackson County, Iowa. Manuscript on file at the Office of the State Archaeologist, Iowa City, Iowa.
Finn, Michael R, and Michael J. Fokken
1985 Phase I and II Cultural Resource Investigations of the U.S. 61 Corridor (Wever Bypass), Lee County, Iowa. Prepared for the Iowa Department of Transportation by Louis Berger, Inc., East Orange, New Jersey.
Finn, Michael R. and Nurit Goldman Finn
2006 Supplementary Phase I and Phase II Archaeological Research in the Big Hollow Recreation Area, Des Moines County, Iowa. Wapsi Valley Archaeology Report #150. Prepared for Des Moines County Conservation Board.
1997 Steatite Exchange, Ceramics, and Mobility at the Archaic/Woodland Transition in the Midsouth. Paper presented at the 62nd Annual Meeting, Society for American Archaeology, Nashville, Tennessee.
Finn, Michael R., Nurit G. Finn, and Toby A. Morrow
2007 Phase I Cultural Resources Investigation of the Proposed Convoy Live Range, Urban Assault Course, and Infantry Squad Battle Course at Camp Ripley, Morrison County, Minnesota. Prepared for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District. Wapsi Valley Archaeology Report #254.
Finn, Michael R. and Toby A. Morrow
2006 Supplemental Phase II Testing of Sites 13DM1043 and 13DM1044, Big Hollow Recreation Area, Des Moines County, Iowa. Wapsi Valley Archaeology Report #186.
Fokken, Michael J. and Michael R. Finn
1987 A Report on Archaeological Investigations and Data Recovery in the Route 90 Section 2b Corridor in Burlington and Camden Counties, New Jersey. Prepared for the New Jersey Department of Transportation by Louis Berger, Inc., East Orange, New Jersey.
1984 A Report of Archaeological Mitigation of Six Prehistoric Sites at the Michael's Creek Locality in Southeast Iowa. Prepared for the Iowa Department of Transportation by Louis Berger Inc., East Orange, New Jersey.
Foss, Robert et al.
1985 Somerset Expressway Archaeological Survey: Route U.S. 206 to I-287, Somerset County, New Jersey. Prepared for the New Jersey Department of Transportation by Louis Berger, Inc., East Orange, New Jersey.
Shmookler, Leonid and Michael R. Finn
1986 U.S. Route 1, Scudder’s Mills Road Interchange, Middlesex County, New Jersey. Prepared for the New Jersey Department of Transportation by Louis Berger, Inc., East Orange, New Jersey