Mission Statement | Center for Archaeological Investigations | SIU

The CAI's C.O.R.E. mission invovles Curation, Outreach, Research, and Education with a focus on the archaeology of the Midwestern United States. This mission is carried out through grant-funded projects, which allow us to provide students with hands-on learning opportunities to prepare them for post-graduate careers as professional archaeologists with private, state, and federal agencies. The CAI also offers applied training in collections management and curation through our world-class curation facility, where we house archaeological collections for government agencies, Native American groups, and private entities. Our education and outreach efforts are bolstered by our sponsorship of public events, leadership in prfessional and amateur groups, and collaboration with academic units across campus, including the Department of Anthropology, where CAI staff serve as faculty members.