The Utah Public Archaeology Program increases awareness and appreciation for Utah’s archaeological sites and artifacts. This state has been home to people for 13,000 years, resulting in over 100,000 known archaeological sites! Many of these are great places to visit, and all of them have a story to tell. Archaeological sites are important, sometimes even sacred, and should be visited with respect.

We want to help you learn about the past, and we want to show you how archaeologists use these physical places and artifacts to create interpretations about how people lived in the past. You can visit our Resources page and our Blog to browse through our materials, and you can watch our videos on YouTube. If you ever want to know something that we haven’t covered, just ask! Elizabeth Hora, our Public Archaeologist, is here to help.

Whether people mean to or not, sometimes our presence can damage or even destroy archaeology. The Public Archaeology program aims to eliminate this damage through our Stop Archaeological Vandalism Everywhere (SAVE) initiative. Learn more about SAVE and join the cause!

If you want a hands-on experience in Utah archaeology, sign up to become a Cultural Site Steward! Utah Cultural Site Stewards are passionate about saving the past and learning from Utah’s incredible archaeological sites. Stewards are the first line of defense for protecting the past! Ian Wright is our Cultural Site Stewardship Coordinator, and he can answer any questions and help you decide if Site Stewardship is right for you!

Utah Public Archaeology Network

This is your chance to join a network of professional archaeologists, organizations, and people just like you who love archaeology! The Utah Public Archaeology Network (UPAN) meets two times a year to discuss challenging matters in the world of archaeology, and to network and support one another. Visit our Partners page to learn more about the organizations that comprise UPAN.

Utah Cultural Site Stewardship Program

The Utah Cultural Site Stewardship Program is a pioneering effort in the world of archaeological site stewardship! Utah’s State Legislature created the program in 2020 in recognition of the irreplaceable archaeological sites and resources here in the state. The Utah SHPO operates the Site Stewardship program on public lands owned by the BLM, Forest Service, State Parks, and many others in order to help landowners keep an eye on threatened resources. Archaeological sites may be threatened through human or natural causes, but our Site Stewards are there to report on changes early to prevent painful losses to our history. Learn more and sign up to become a Cultural Site Steward!

Our Staff

Chris Merritt

Utah State Historic Preservation Officer

As the Utah State Historic Preservation Officer, and an archaeologist, I’m excited to be a part of the Public Archaeology team! In addition to archaeology, my team also includes architectural historians, architect, and historic preservation specialists, bringing all the pieces together to promote preservation of our collective past. I received my doctorate from the University of Montana, with a Masters’ of Science in Industrial Archaeology from Michigan Technological University. My research passions are on the Chinese contributions to the American West’s history, industrial heritage, and pretty much everything old. My off-hours are spent with my wife…but oftentimes still doing archaeology!

Elizabeth Hora

Public Archaeologist

I’m Elizabeth, Public Archaeologist at the Utah State Historic Preservation Office. I’m here to make sure that the people of Utah know about all of the incredible history and irreplaceable archaeology that we have here in the State. I run the Utah Public Archaeology Network that brings together people and organizations across the state to work together on projects to protect and preserve Utah’s archaeology. I earned my Master’s Degree in Archaeology and Cultural Resource Management from Utah State University; I used tree-rings and radiocarbon dates to investigate behavioral patterns of the prehistoric Fremont of the Uinta Basin, and I still like to incorporate tree-ring dating into my research.

I live in a small town in the Heber Valley with my husband, son, and dog. We spend a lot of time hiking in the High Uintas and doing the usual backcountry Utah stuff: paddleboarding, cross-country skiing, and driving to different parts of the state to see cool archaeology!

Ian Wright

Utah Cultural Site Stewardship Coordinator

Howdy! I’m Ian Wright, the new Cultural Site Stewardship Coordinator for the Utah Division of State History. I grew up in Salt Lake City, but our family also spent a great deal of time in Utah’s West Desert. This is where I gained an appreciation and understanding about the value of protecting our unique cultural resources. 

I attended Snow College, and then Southern Utah University where I received a degree in history. After performing archaeological work throughout Utah and Nevada, I shifted into the energy education sector, directing nationwide community education programs and developing strategic partnerships for one of the nation’s leading nonprofit organizations in energy education. During that time, I earned a Masters in Arts and Community Leadership from Westminster College while continuing to maintain one foot in the world of archeology by participating in field work and chairing my city’s Historic Preservation Board. 

I currently live in Salt Lake City with my wife Tyra, one-year-old son Conrad, our dog Buffalo and a DNR-adopted desert tortoise named Winston. Outside of work I can be found in my woodshop or out visiting archaeological or cultural sites that I have read about. I look forward to working with you! 

Erin Haycock

Public Archaeology Intern

I am the Site Stewardship Intern, and started working for SHPO in 2019, with hopes to start a graduate degree in fall 2021. I graduates in 2019 from Utah State University with a Bachelors in Anthropology.  I do public outreach and engagement, with a focus on education to incorporate archaeology and its principles into K-12 curriculums. In my free time, I do kickboxing, archery, and creative writing. Three of my top items on my bucket list are to finish writing a book, go scuba diving in Indonesia, and owning enough books that I need those library shelves with the attached sliding ladder.

Deb Miller

Archaeological Records Manager

Hi everyone! I’m Deb, the SHPO Records Manager. My team and I maintain the archaeological and buildings spatial data for consultants, agencies and the general public. While most of my work is behind the scenes, I love to get out into the field when I can and to help out with public events. My degree is in Anthropology from the University of Utah with a GIS Certificate.

In my spare time, I have a passion for creating and let that flow with sewing, quilting, drawing, and playing ukulele. My husband, two daughters and I love to travel, hike and camp. We live for escaping to the desert or the beaches of the Paciffic Northwest.

Savanna Agardy

Compliance Archaeologist

Hi, I am Savanna Agardy, the Compliance Archaeologist for the Utah State Historic Preservation Office. I handle all things compliance relating to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and 9-8-404 of the Utah Annotated Code for archaeological resources, but I also help out on public archaeology efforts as much as I can. I have a B.S. in Archaeology & GIS from the University of Utah, and a pending M.A. in Cultural Heritage Management from Johns Hopkins University. My main focus is in prehistoric archaeology, with an emphasis in lithics (stone tools) and rock imagery in the Great Basin and Colorado Plateau. Outside of professional archaeology, I enjoy playing bluegrass music, baking, and travelling to see cool archaeological sites, as well as spending time with my soon-to-be husband and our three cats and corgi.