Amanda Gronhovd was appointed state archaeologist in March 2016.
Amanda came to Admin with more than 20 years of experience in the archaeological and cultural resources field. She has extensive experience working for both public and private sector organizations in Minnesota and across the United States in all aspects of archaeology and cultural resources management.
She is the current president of the Minnesota Society of Historical Archaeology. She holds a Master’s degree in Industrial Archaeology from Michigan Technology University and has owned and operated 10,000 Lakes Archaeology, a cultural resources consulting firm since 2003. One of her recent accomplishments was developing the public archaeology program at Mills Ruins Park in Minneapolis. Amanda is committed to preserving and protecting Minnesota’s archaeological resources for all Minnesotans.
Bruce Koenen was hired as the first full-time assistant to the state archaeologist in June 1995. Koenen grew up on a farm near Clara City in western Minnesota. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Moorhead State University in 1990. After finishing his degree, he went to work as an archaeologist for the Minnesota Historical Society with the Municipal-County Highway Archaeology Survey and then did private contract archaeology before joining the Office of the State Archaeologist. Koenen is finishing work on a Master of Arts in Anthropology at Minnesota State University – Mankato. His research specialties include lithic (stone tool) analysis and mussel shell analysis.
Elden Johnson, an archaeologist and professor of anthropology at the University of Minnesota, was appointed the first state archaeologist in 1963 and served until his resignation in 1978. Johnson was not paid a salary for his service as state archaeologist and maintained his teaching position at the University during these years.
