HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 25 - Archeological Study
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Krystal Caron, Communications Coordinator
Phone 952-826-0347 • kcaron@EdinaMN.gov • EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City Looks for Resident Help with Ongoing Archeological Study
Edina, Minn., April 25, 2019 – A study, made possible through a grant from the Minnesota State Historic
Preservation Office, is charting possible historical sites in Edina. Researchers are asking residents to share
prehistoric finds from properties in Edina at an artifact identification day 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 18 at the
Edina Historical Society, 4711 W. 70th St.
The Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) applied for the grant and Neinow Cultural Consultants LLC was
selected to complete the study. The artifact identification day is an opportunity for community members to bring
artifacts that have been found on properties in Edina to show it to an archeologist and plot it on a map. The
consultant will photograph the item; no items will be taken or purchased from community members.
“People have been living in this area for at least 10,000 years, so there is no doubt in my mind that there are
some archeological locations in the city. The artifacts from these people’s lives can tell us so much more about
how they lived, their gender and their economic status,” said Registered Professional Archeologist Jeremy
Nienow, Principal Investigator and Owner of Nienow Cultural Consultants. “When the city was first settled and
the area was farmland, people may have uncovered pieces of arrowheads, stone knives, pieces of pottery –
evidence of daily life. That’s the kind of things that we’re hoping to see.”
The artifact identification day is just one step in the process. Nienow will also complete walk-over inspection of
certain areas and research Edina’s history and development to help complete the study. Once completed, the
study will provide the City with information about where historic sites are likely to exist which are helpful to
know for further development.
“There are archeological sites surrounding every town around Edina. We only have one site -- the Edina Mill site
that was partially excavated in 1977 -- but outside of that, we haven’t identified any additional areas. It’s good for
the City to know as we look at projects where there may be a higher likelihood for significant historical sites,”
said Emily Bodeker, Assistant City Planner and Staff Liaison for the HPC.
This project will have multiple opportunities for public input throughout the process. Opportunities will be posted
on EdinaMN.gov as they are available. The study is expected to be completed in early summer. For more
information, contact Bodeker at ebodeker@EdinaMN.gov.
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