Professional and avocational archaeologists from Maine and farther afield will gather at the University of Maine at Presque Isle next month when it hosts the Fall 2011 meeting of the Maine Archaeological Society [MAS] on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011. The meeting will be held in the UMPI Campus Center from 12:45 to 8 p.m.

According to UMPI Professor David Putnam, this is the first time the MAS has convened in Aroostook County since it was founded in 1956. The Society promotes the study of archaeology throughout Maine, encourages scientific research in the field, and works to conserve archaeological sites, data and artifacts, according to its website.

The Society’s fall meeting will kick off with opening ceremonies led by John Dennis of the Aroostook Band of Micmacs. Attendees then will have the opportunity to view artifact collections from throughout Maine and hear an overview of Northern Maine Archaeology by Putnam. The keynote talk will be given at 2:30 p.m. by Dr. Arthur Spiess, Maine Historic Preservation Commission, State Prehistoric Archaeologist. Dr. Spiess will speak on Paleoindian Research.

MAS officials will host their business meeting beginning at 3:30 p.m. Following dinner, Putnam will deliver a presentation on his recent research trip to China, Tides of Grass: Cultural Responses to Climate in Inner Asia.

For more information about MAS, visit its website at http://mainearchsociety.org.