During the summer, the Chapter does not meet formally. Members will occasionally go on an outing to visit locally important sites, or help with an urgent or exciting project. (See our Gateway to WNY Archaeology for some pictures!) Typically this is the time when Chapter members go their own ways to join excavations or plan their own field trips.

Want to go on a dig..? While we do not currently conduct our own excavations, three leads for those keen to volunteer on an archaeological excavation are the UB Archaeological Survey, the Buffalo Museum of Science's Hiscock Site, and Old Fort Niagara.

Volunteers sought for Hiscock dig

Early fall is a special time when we join with our colleagues across the country to help promote and celebrate archaeology with Archaeology Week, usually late September or early October. Our September meetings often include reports from various local archaeologists about their summer field work. For a larger listing of state-wide archaeological events, try the NYAC events calendar.

September to May, the Chapter holds its monthly meetings. All meetings except May (our banquet) are on the third Wednesday of each month, starting at 7:00 pm, at the following address (see Yahoo for online driving directions and an interactive map).

Buffalo Museum of Science 1020 Humboldt Parkway Buffalo, New York Ph: 716-896-5200 http://www.sciencebuff.org

Meetings include a guest speaker on an archaeological topic as well as a chance for informal discussion between members. Everyone is encouraged to bring in artifacts or knapping accomplishments for show or identification (no sales of artifacts are permitted). After the talk, we usually enjoy refreshments including home-made baked goods. You do not need to be a member of the Chapter or the NYS Archaeological Association to attend!

May is the month we hold our Banquet. For example, the 1999 banquet was May 28th, at Fanny's Restaurant, on Sheridan between Millersport Hwy & Sweet Home Rd, Williamsville, NY; cash bar at 6:00 pm, and dinner at 6:30 pm. Our special guest speaker was Paul Lennox, of the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. His after-dinner talk covered various aspects of the southern Ontario Archaic and historic period, based on his fieldwork. These occasions offer fine cuisine, and good company! All are very welcome, to dine with us or just to hear the talk, but please contact us in advance if you wish to reserve a ticket for the dinner.

Our parent organisation, the NYSAA has one annual meeting in a different part of the state each year. At the meeting, there are several sessions in which scholarly papers are presented by professional archaeologists and avocationalists on topics relating to prehistoric, historic and underwater archaeology. There is also a book and exhibit room, a banquet with a special guest and keynote speaker, and the chance to meet many other people who share your interests! The general public is always welcome to attend. There is a small registration fee -- usually about $20, plus about $25 for the banquet.