Hello! My name is Michael J. Miller, I am currently attending Louisville High School. This summer I'll be working as a docent at The Center for American Archeology - Kampsville, Illinois.

I’ll be leaving for Illinois June 22nd and will be returning to Ohio August 16th. During my first week, I’ll be attending Tim Dillard’s flintknapping class, hopefully expanding my knowledge on stone tool manufacturing processes. After Tim’s class, Harry Murphy (Director of Education) has me working for the CAA doing tool maintenance and other unfun archy preparation stuff. But, hey it is my first actual job (as in work) doing archaeology. (I’ve already done lectures and presentations at other local archaeology meetings here in Ohio) Then for the next six weeks, I’ll be a docent during the National Science Foundation -Young Scholars Program. This position includes helping in the mentoring and supervising of approximately 30 high school students with a potential interest of archaeology.

For over forty years, the Center for American Archeology (CAA) has pioneered the development of contemporary archeology in the Midwest, leading to many advances in the methods archeologists use to explore the past. Many have termed the area the "Nile of North America," as Kampsville is centered in the heart of one of the world's most remarkable archeological regions. Still fixed in the public mind are the ten years of excavation at Koster, 1968 to 1978, heavily chronicled by the national news media as one of North America's most important archeological explorations. The Koster Site has since been closed, but the Center continues its research and teaching with year-round activities. Here throughout the valley where the Illinois joins the Mississippi, the Center helps to unfold the unbroken record of nearly 10,000 years of human habitation on this continent. Its mission is to help communicate the unwritten story of earlier Americans' lifeways, accomplishments, and changing natural environment - a legacy for this and future generations.

As you've probably guessed, I really enjoy archaeology. More recently in my exploits I placed Superior at State Science Day on April 19, 1997 with my original research project: "An Experimental Study of Microwear Formation Among Modern and Prehistoric Stone Flake Tools". I also received First Place from The Ohio Geological Society and a $1,000 science scholarship from Miami University (Ohio).

Placing in the top five at the Ohio Junior Science and Humanities Symposium held at the University of Toledo in March for the presentation of my '96 CAA microwear research, I was invited to attend The National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium in North Carolina at Research Triangle Park May 1-4, 1997. There I met with over 300 student scholars and made almost more friends than the population of Kampsville. The NJSH was a great learning experience for me and I can't wait to attend next year.

This summer while in Kampsville I'll be continuing my research on microwear formation on stone tools. Creating a new data set and comparing these modern stone tools to the prehistoric pieces, I hope to be able to discern what the tools were used on (exp. hide, bone, wood, etc.).

My hobbies and interests are of a wide variety. I'm into prehistoric and experimental archaeology, stone technology, lithic analysis,smooth jazz (-: which you are listening to right now :-), museums, hiking, outdoors, and most importantly, science-type individuals!

Return to Michael's home page.

Links to my other pages

Michael's Home Page
My research on microwear formation on stone tools.
Michael's Scrawl Wall !!!
Stone Technology
The Center for American Archeology.
My investigation into The Upper Mercer Chert Quarries
My investigation into The Plum Run Chert Quarries.
Archaeology Toons
My Autobiography
Jazzy - My collection of awesome Jazz Midi files :-)

Links to other archaeology and stone technology sites

Knappers Anonymous
Lithics Net: a great guide to North American Projectile Points
Jason Hanna's web site features his Personal Collection of artifacts found in Ohio.
SARC - Stone Age Reference Collection

© 1997
mjmiller@neo.lrun.com

You are listening to "Blowin' Smoke" Enjoy