Wapsi Valley Archaeology, Inc. was founded in 2001 and incorporated in 2002. Since that time, the company has continued to expand, and in 2005, Wapsi Valley Archaeology moved to its present location at 211 West Main Street, Anamosa, Iowa. The company is owned by married partners Nurit and Michael Finn, both professional archaeologists who have worked in the field for many years.

Wapsi Valley Archaeology, Inc. is located in Jones County, Iowa, approximately 30 miles northeast of Cedar Rapids and 45 miles north of Iowa City. Anamosa lies within a largely rural portion of eastern Iowa. While we could have easily located our offices in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City urban corridor, we believe in small town Iowa and economic development within rural Midwestern communities. Our 2,000 square foot facility includes areas for report writing and production, artifact processing and analysis, storage of archaeological materials, and storage of field equipment.

Wapsi Valley Archaeology, Inc. is committed to offering excellent service.  We are committed to working closely with our clients to fulfill their Section 106 National Historic Preservation Act compliance requirements in a balanced, efficient, and practical manner. We provide professional archaeological services with fast turn around and friendly service. We are flexible and work beyond the call of duty to meet our clients' needs.
 

Wapsi Valley Archaeology's 2007 field crew for archaeological excavations in Big Hollow Recreation Area, Des Moines County, Iowa.

Nurit G. Finn, President
Archaeologist

Nurit Finn received her M.A. at the University of New Mexico in 1988 and Ph.D, Candidacy at the University of Michigan in 1993.  She specializes in Prehistoric Archaeology with an emphasis on hunter-gatherers and has over 18 years of experience in archaeological research and excavation.  Finn is Wapsi Valley Archaeology's President and is intimately involved in project design, research, analysis, writing, and historic investigation. Her areas of expertise include statistical analysis and sampling design, lithic analysis, cave site archaeology, contract/PA/MOA preparation, and preservation planning.  Finn manages projects and the business end of the firm and oversees the archaeology laboratory.  She also handles many of the processes relating to quality control of projects.  Finn currently serves on the Board of Directors of the American Cultural Resources Association and on the Jones County Historic Preservation Commission.

Curriculum Vitae (PDF)

Michael Finn graduated from the University of Iowa in 1982 with a Master's in Anthropology. Finn is co-owner and Chief of Field Operations for Wapsi Valley Archaeology.  He specializes in both prehistoric and historic archaeology.

During more than 27 years in archaeology, Finn has conducted archaeology in Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, New Jersey, Michigan, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York, and Alabama.  His areas of expertise include lithic analysis, ceramic analysis, faunal analysis, and geomorphology.  He has broad experience directing Phase I surveys, Phase II site evaluations, and Phase III excavation/data recovery projects.  Finn has directed major excavations on a multitude of archaeological projects including sites at Big Hollow and at the Michael’s Creek location in Iowa, Sites 1JA206 and 1BT15 in Alabama, and Site 20SA1033 in Michigan.  Finn is responsible for overseeing field operations and is also involved in research design on archaeological projects.  He is a member of the Society of American Archaeology, Association of Iowa Archaeologists, and the Midwest Archaeological Conference.

Curriculum Vitae (PDF)

Michael R. Finn
Archaeologist

Toby A. Morrow
Archaeologist

Toby Morrow graduated from the University of Iowa in 1984 with a Masters in Anthropology and has over 28 years of experience in archaeological research. Morrow specializes in both prehistoric and historic archaeology. He has many research interests, and his expertise spans historic archaeology, lithic analysis, ceramic analysis, faunal analysis, geomorphology/soils, chert sourcing, human osteology, and experimental archaeology.  He has published extensively in the field of lithic analysis and holds a particular interest in Paleoindian studies.  Morrow has directed Phase I surveys, Phase II site evaluations, and Phase III data recovery projects and research excavations, including large scale excavations at the Cowan Site, Ed’s Meadow Site, and Sites 13ML118 and 13ML175 in Iowa.  He is also an accomplished craftsman in prehistoric technologies in flint knapping, woodworking, bone, and ground stone tool manufacture, and frequently leads workshops and training sessions in stone tool manufacture and artifact identification.  He is the author of Iowa Projectile Points, the type book for the state.

Morrow serves as Principal Investigator on all phases of archaeological research and is also involved in research design. He handles much of the geomorphology fieldwork for Wapsi Valley Archaeology. Morrow also serves as Safety Director for Wapsi Valley Archaeology.

Curriculum Vitae (PDF)

Mary Huerter joined Wapsi Valley Archaeology in July 2005. She is responsible for technical drafting, GPS operation, historical research, report writing and editing, and supervision of field investigations. Huerter received her B.A. in English from Clarke College in 2004 and her A.A.S. in Equine Science Technology from Kirkwood Community College in 2001.  Huerter has worked on archaeological field projects across Iowa at the Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III levels.  Prior to immersion into the world of archaeology, Huerter worked in publications for two years as a reporter, editor, and graphics illustrator. She has written for Wisconsin Public Radio, the Hoofed Animal Humane Society, Julien's Journal, Equus Caballus, the Sentinel, and From the Horse's Mouth.  She is also a talented graphics artist.