University of South Dakota Department of Anthropology and Sociology

06/05/2026

Hi all, below is the second post this summer about the USD archaeological field school taking place at the Soap Suds Row site at Old Fort Meade in Sturgis, South Dakota:

My favorite artifact so far!
by Lisa Wible

This week we have the unique opportunity to excavate site 39MD45 - the housing for the laundresses at Fort Meade during the late 19th century to early 20th century, affectionately called “Soapsuds Row."

In our excavation of “Soapsuds Row”, we unearthed a lead bullet. I was so excited to find this! This is the first and only ammunition we have discovered so far this summer. Research indicates it was most likely from a government issued rifle from the late 19th century. This fits perfectly with the what we know about the time period we are studying. USD labs will be able to analyze and give further insight.

As a mother and educator, I am always looking for ways to make history interesting and engaging for students. Historical archeology is such a great way to make history come alive!

06/04/2026

Hi all, the USD archaeological field school is currently taking place at the Soap Suds Row site at Old Fort Meade in Sturgis, South Dakota! We will be sharing Facebook posts by the students in the field school and the first post is below:

An Enlightening Fieldtrip to Spearfish Canyon

By Avery Welte

On Sunday, May 31st, the Archaeological Field Techniques (ANTH 431) class took an afternoon excursion to Spearfish Canyon in Spearfish, SD. Students were able to hike several scenic trails to view the breathtaking waterfalls, and they encountered plenty of wildlife along the way—such as squirrels, birds, and fish. They also had the opportunity to learn more about the area's fascinating history.
While the nearby Black Hills are largely composed of igneous granite, Spearfish Canyon is mostly sedimentary in nature. Both Roughlock Falls and Spearfish Falls (pictured) spill from striking deposits of limestone and sandstone, and this is due to the area being underwater millions of years ago. Many distinctly banded layers have been preserved in the canyon as a result, creating a beautiful and rich landscape.

05/27/2026

Hi! I’m Emmylea Robeson, and I’ll be one of the interns for the Dacotah Prairie Museum for summer 2026! I’m an Anthropology major at the University of South Dakota with an interest in professional and creative writing. One thing I love about this museum is how the original building pieces are reused for the exhibits, or chosen to reflect elements from the museum building, like the tin tiles on the ceilings in exhibits like the train car that resemble original tiles.

05/06/2026

04/23/2026

Yesterday evening, Dr. Crystal Sheedy’s anthropology students presented Down on Main Street at the Coyote Twin—observations from their semester of research on three businesses: , , and . It was a lovely way to engage USD students with the community, and show off their academic work to Vermillion.

04/23/2026

04/22/2026

04/16/2026

Senior Lecturer Cheryl Hartman, Ph.D., and Associate Professor Sonja Kraus, D.M., are the recipients of the 2026 University of South Dakota Belbas-Larson Awards for Excellence in Teaching.

This is the highest honor USD awards to its educators. It recognizes faculty who inspire students to greater achievement, ensure course content represents the highest standards in the field and demand rigorous standards of performance.

Learn more about Hartman, Kraus and the awards 👉 https://yote.us/4mFk5L6

04/16/2026

Happening next Tuesday, April 21st at the Coyote Twin at 5:30pm!

We hope to see you there!

With special thanks to the Coyote Twin, The Bean, and XIX Brewing Company!!

The University of South Dakota’s Department of Anthropology and Sociology, in partnership with the Anthropology Program Enthusiast Society student organization, presents “Down on Main Street: Part of Vermillion’s Story Through Time” on Tuesday, April 21, at 5:30 p.m. at the Coyote Twin Theat...