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MTSU Wins National Recognition for Archaeology Awareness Poster

Jun 03, 2025 at 06:49 am by WGNS

(Right) Noel Lorson, associate professor in the Department of Art and Design, holds her winning design. (Left) fellow collaborator Paul Eubanks, associate professor of anthropology, in front of Todd Hall. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

Murfreesboro, TN - Middle Tennessee State University has once again secured national recognition for its contributions to archaeology awareness. Representing Tennessee, MTSU earned top honors in the 2025 Archaeology Awareness Month poster design contest, an annual competition held by the Society for American Archaeology (SAA).

The winning design highlights Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Park, a vast prehistoric Native American monument site in West Tennessee. The selection was timely, as the park celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024. The poster features a striking image of a summer solstice sunrise at Sauls Mound, captured by Colorado State University archaeologist Edward Henry, who has been conducting long-term research at the site.

MTSU’s Paul Eubanks, associate professor of anthropology, and Noel Lorson, director of the university’s Graphic Design program, led the creative process, collaborating with Tennessee’s Division of Archaeology and other experts. Lorson has spearheaded the design efforts since 2013, bringing a polished artistic touch to the field of archaeology.

The project was supported by the Tennessee Historical Commission and the Tennessee Council for Professional Archaeology, reflecting a broader effort to encourage archaeological stewardship and awareness across the state.

The award serves as a tribute to two influential figures in Tennessee archaeology, Kevin Smith, a longtime MTSU professor who passed away in March, and Tim Poole, manager of Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Park, who died just days before the recognition was announced.

Tennessee has a long-standing presence in the contest, with previous MTSU-designed posters receiving honors in 1997 and 2022. Eubanks emphasized that beyond the accolades, the initiative fosters public engagement and pride in Tennessee's archaeological heritage.

For more on the winning poster and its historical significance, visit this link.

 

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