The Institute of Archaeology, organized and officially approved by the Andrews University Board of Trustees in 1980, is an umbrella organization composed of the Institute itself, the Siegfried H. Horn Archaeological Museum, current archaeological fieldwork, and the Archaeological Publications department. In order to facilitate the free exchange of information, the Institute of Archaeology is networked with several leading archaeological associations: American Schools of Oriental Research, American Center of Oriental Research (Amman), and the William F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research (Jerusalem), as well as other organizations. Key personnel are members of the American Schools of Oriental Research, the Society of Biblical Literature, the Near Eastern Archaeological Society, the Evangelical Theological Society, the Adventist Theological Society, the Society of Adventist Religious Scholars, and the American Anthropological Association.

The Institute of Archaeology is a research entity financed and administered within the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary and is part of the Andrews University system of research institutes and centers.

The purpose of the Institute of Archaeology is to:

1. Coordinate and/or direct all Andrews University or Andrews University-sponsored archaeological research and subsequent publication activities to enhance the training of archaeologists, Bible scholars, and teachers.
2. Serve as a vehicle to provide archaeological field experience for Andrews University and other archaeology students.
3. House relevant archaeological artifacts in the Horn Museum and books in the Siegfried H. Horn Archaeological Library which are subsidiaries of the Institute of Archaeology.
4. Publish archaeological data and analysis derived from field research and museum holdings, as well as textbooks, festschriften, manuals, and Occasional Papers through the Archaeological Publications department.
5. Educate the general public with respect to archaeological matters by way of archaeological exhibits in the Horn Museum, seminars, public lecture series, and popular articles and publications.
6. Provide a venue where scholars can meet individually or as groups to pursue research or dialogue.
7. To facilitate the free exchange of archaeological research data among the various entities of the archaeological fraternity.

History

In 1980, Lawrence T. Geraty, as the Curator of the Horn Museum, organized the establishment of the Institute of Archaeology. In 1985, when Geraty accepted the presidency of Atlantic Union College, William H. Shea agreed to serve as Interim-Director for one year. In mid-1986, J. Bjornar Storfjell filled the position as an Interim-Director. Randall W. Younker assumed the position of director in 1988, which he currently holds.

Current Personnel

The personnel of the Institute of Archaeology incorporates staff as well as student positions. Staff positions include the Director of the Institute of Archaeology; the Curator of the Siegfried H. Horn Archaeological Museum, who is also Associate Director of the Institute; the Associate Director for Research; and the Director of Archaeological Publications. Student positions include the Assistant to the Curator, as well as Graduate Assistants.

For more information visit the People page.