Category: ARI Blog

Preserving the Past for the Future: Why Archaeology Matters in Our Community

Archaeology is more than uncovering artifacts—it’s the study of people, places, and stories that shaped the world around us. Every pottery fragment, stone tool, soil layer, and feature left behind by past cultures helps us understand how people lived, adapted, created, and thrived long before the present day. At the Archaeological Research Institute (ARI), our […]

Giving Thanks Through Understanding: Honoring the Past, Preserving the Future

This Thanksgiving, we invite you to take a moment to look beyond the familiar holiday traditions and reflect on the deeper layers of the land beneath your feet — layers filled with stories of ingenuity, cooperation, and endurance.

Unearthing Curiosity: ARI’s Hands-On Approach to Lifelong Learning

ARI experiences nurture curiosity, respect for cultural heritage, and an enduring sense of wonder. They remind us that learning is a lifelong adventure — one that thrives on exploration, imagination, and shared discovery.

Better Together: Honoring Veterans through ARI’s VALOR Program

This Veterans Day, I find myself reflecting on what it truly means to honor service, not only through words, but through action and connection. My name is Betsy Dulle, and I am a Public Archaeologist and the Field Project and VALOR Manager at ARI. For me, this meaning comes to life on dig sites alongside […]

Honoring Service, Preserving Stories: ARI on Veterans Day

Each Veterans Day, we pause to honor the brave men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Their dedication has protected not only our freedoms, but also the history, landscapes, and cultural heritage that shape our communities today. At the Archaeological Research Institute (ARI), we believe the stories of service—past and […]

Pig Roast & Preservation Party: A Night of Discovery and Community

ARI was proud to host a Pig Roast & Preservation Party in conjunction with the Archaeological Society of Ohio (ASO) Artifact Show at the Lawrenceburg Event Center in October 2025. Designed especially for members of the Stateline Chapter of the ASO and artifact show participants, the event brought together archaeology enthusiasts from Ohio, Indiana and […]

Discover, Dig, & Learn: Educational Adventures for All Ages

Discover hands‑on archaeology programs at ARI—one of the most unique things to do in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Learn, explore, and dig into history year‑round.

ARI Answers a Common Question: “Are You Guys the One at Stateline Road?”

“Are you guys the ones at Stateline Road?”  This is a question that we get several times a week at ARI. The answer is no, but we completely understand why people ask! What are the odds that one of the largest ongoing archaeological excavations of the area in the past decade is not being conducted […]

Pumpkins, Trebuchets, and the Science of Discovery

Each fall, families gather at the Archaeological Research Institute for a day of science, creativity, and hands-on discovery. One of the star attractions is our pumpkin trebuchet—a giant catapult that hurls pumpkins across the field with a satisfying thwack.

From Soil to Story: What Artifacts Can Teach Us  

When you picture archaeology, what comes to mind? Maybe a gold chalice, ancient sculpture, or a long-lost city uncovered overnight. But the real magic? It’s quieter. It happens when something small and fragile is lifted from the earth: a shard of pottery, a flint chip, a bead no bigger than your fingertip. At first glance, […]