History - Archaeological Institute of America

History

1879	In late nineteenth-century Boston, Harvard University professor Charles Eliot Norton was at the center of the intellectual and cultural "flowering of New England." He invited his colleagues and friends to help form a society "for furthering and directing archaeological and artistic investigation and research." One hundred and eight people attended the first meeting in 1879, and the Archaeological Institute of America (AIA) was born. Norton was elected the AIA's first president, and his words continue to inspire the Institute today: "The night of time far surpasseth the day, and it is the task of archaeology to light up some of this long night with its torch, which burns ever with a clearer flame with each advancing step into the darkness."
1880	AIA provides support for its first archaeological excavation when it assists Adolph Bandelier with his research at prehistoric sites in the Southwestern United States and in Mexico. In the following decades, the Institute would sponsor additional excavations in Crete, Iraq, Italy, Greece, Guatemala, North Africa, and Turkey.
1882	AIA establishes the American School of Classical Studies at Athens, Greece.
1884	First local society of the AIA is founded in Boston.
1885	American Journal of Archaeology debuts.
1895	AIA establishes the American School of Classical Studies in Rome, Italy. National Lecture Program created to provide archaeological presentations to the AIA's local societies.
1898	First Annual Meeting of the AIA held in New Haven, Connecticut.
1899	AIA establishes the American School for Oriental Study and Research in Jerusalem.
1906	President Theodore Roosevelt signs the AIA's Congressional Charter, which is later renewed under the administration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
1907	AIA establishes the School of American Archaeology in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It later becomes the School of American Research.
1911	AIA moves its headquarters to Washington, D. C., where it shares the Octagon with the American Institute of Architects (also known as the AIA).
1921	AIA and the American Anthropological Association establish the American School of Prehistoric Research.
1942	Annual Meeting of the AIA suspended for the duration of World War II.
1944	The American Council of Learned Societies transfers publication of the Corpus Vasorum Antiquorum to the AIA.
1946	AIA launches a newsletter that provides the membership with information about the AIA's archaeological excavations and its other activities.
1948	Archaeology magazine debuts.
1951	AIA establishes the American Research Center in Egypt.
1961	Fellowship Program begins when the AIA receives the Olivia James Trust from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The following year, William B. Dinsmoor, Jr. receives the first Olivia James Fellowship.
1965	Award Program begins when Leon and Harriet Pomerance provide support for the AIA's first Gold Medal, which is given to Carl W. Blegen in recognition of his significant contributions to the archaeology profession.
1967	First woman becomes President of the AIA: Margaret Thompson. Tour Program begins with several trips to archaeological sites in Africa. AIA becomes charter member of the American Institute of Iranian Studies in Tehran.
1983	Governor Michael S. Dukakis of Massachusetts proclaims "Archaeological Institute of America Day" in the Commonwealth when the AIA announces that it will relocate its national headquarters to the campus of Boston University.
1989	AIA, the American Schools of Oriental Research, and the Society for Historical Archaeology hold the first Joint Archaeological Congress.
1990	The Society for the American Journal of Archaeology is created to receive charitable donations in support of the Journal.
1993	First person from outside the United States becomes President of the AIA: James Russell.
1994	Archaeological Institute of America/Institut Archaéologique d'Amérique formed in Canada as an independent affiliate of the Institute. The purpose is to allow Canadian citizens to make tax-deductible donations to the organization.
1999	Dig, the Institute's magazine for children ages 8-13, debuts.
2002	AIA participates in landmark federal court case focusing on illicit trade in antiquities.
2005	AIA awards its first Site Preservation Grant to Assos in Turkey.
2007	Waldbaum Field School Scholarship and Minority Scholarship programs for undergraduates established.
2009	More than 450 attend the AIA’s first fund-raising gala in New York City to celebrate the 130th anniversary of the Institute and the 60th anniversary of ARCHAEOLOGY magazine. The event raises nearly $400k and wins an award for best catering for its traditional Maya feast. The AIA creates an expanded grant program to support the programs of its Local Societies.

Bulletins

The AIA Bulletin is the official annual report of the Institute and includes minutes of the meetings of the governing bodies, reports of the officers, award citations, information on AIA Societies and the national lecture schedule, and audited financial statements.

AIA Bulletin: Volume 97 (FY06)

AIA Bulletin: Volume 96 (FY05)

AIA Bulletin: Volume 95 (FY04)