Kathy Lawton Brown, from the Radio Arts Foundation-Saint Louis, recently interviewed Dr. Joseph Galloy, a research coordinator with the Illinois State Archaeological Survey, and Amy Clark, a member of the curatorial staff at the St. Louis Art Museum.

Dr. Galloy briefly discussed the 2008-2012 excavations in the East St. Louis, I-70 Right-of-Way. The area opened revealed a large Mississippian urban settlement dating from AD 1050-1400. This settlement adds to the understanding of the nearby Mississippian settlement of Cahokia and the greater Mississippian occupation of the St. Louis Metropolitan area.

The St. Louis Art Museum has installed a permanent display containing North American prehistoric artwork. This display not only provides dates and identification, it will also provides a context for the use of the artifacts in the daily lives of the prehistoric populations who occupied the St. Louis Metropolitan area. The Exchange Avenue figurine from the East St. Louis excavations will be displayed in this exhibit beginning in Spring 2014. This will be the first time this artifact will be on display for public viewing. A number of other artifacts and flint clay figurines will also be displayed.

Dr. Galloy also highlights the preservation efforts for these archaeological resources and emphasizes the importance of public education in continuing these efforts.