ABSTRACT
It has been thirty years since the Arkansas General Assembly created the Arkansas Archeological Survey. At the time, those outside the state were sceptical-how could Arkansas support a statewide programme of archaeological research when no other state did? Once the legislation was passed, and the appropriation for the first two years of operation was $350,000, the scepticism was replaced by disbelief and firm knowledge that this kind of a programme would never last! So how is it that every two years for the last thirty, the Arkansas Legislature has continued to provide funds for this programme? There are, of course, several layers to the answer: the creative initial concept of a research, public service and education programme in which all state-supported institutions of higher learning can participate on an equal basis; the strong and constant active support of amateur archaeologists from all over the state; the commitment and dedication of the staff, both professional and support, some of which have been with the survey for all thirty years; the interest of many citizens in this largely rural state in the artefacts they find in their fields, and the monuments to the past-burial mounds and ceremonial mounds-that can still be seen in Arkansas’ many river valleys.
