Luther College professor uses remote sensing technology to study Iowa’s Effigy Mounds

In recognition of Iowa Archaeology Month and International Archaeology Day, Luther College presents a lecture surrounding the ongoing research conducted on Iowa's effigy mounds by Colin Betts, Luther archaeologist and professor of anthropology, and his students. The lecture will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, in Olin Building, room 102. This presentation is open to the public with no charge for admission.

A rich part of Northeast Iowa's cultural heritage and landscape, Iowa's effigy mounds are a collection of prehistoric earthen constructions in the shape of animals. Set in Allamakee and Clayton counties, they are rare, geographical elements that carry an air of mystery. Though there has been more than a century worth of research around them, the meaning and purpose of their indigenous architects remain an open case.

            Betts and his students are working to look beneath the ground's surface to enhance our understanding of the mounds. To do that, they are using remote sensing techniques, a non-destructive way to survey the sacred and fragile architecture.

"Each mound took several days to survey, so the details of each were revealed a little bit at a time. It was really rewarding to have that immediate feedback each day as well as the sense of anticipation in looking ahead to what each day's data collection would reveal," said Betts.

            The work done on effigy mounds by Luther faculty and students represent one of the first times  remote sensing tools have been used to comprehensively study them.

"As a result, we were able to identify previously unknown aspects of the ways in which the mounds were constructed - particularly in the use of different types of soils to create the wings of a bird mound. The mounds involve so much more than just their external shapes, they exhibit an entirely different level of complexity just beneath the surface," said Betts. 

            While many unknowns remain, one thing is for certain: participating in this kind of research is an unforgettable opportunity for Betts' students.