(MA University of Iowa 1982; Human osteology, paleopathology, archaeology, Midwest, Plains)

Shirley Schermer has been the Director of the Burials Program since 1987. The mission of the OSA Burials Program is (1) to comply with the protection, examination, inventory, notification, repatriation, and reburial requirements of Iowa law (Code of Iowa 263B.7-9 and 716.5) and federal law (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act [NAGPRA], P.L. 101-601; and regulations 43 CFR Part 10); (2) to ensure statewide compliance with the letter and spirit of Iowa law by public education efforts; (3) to ensure a thorough examination of human skeletal material that results in the maximum amount of documentation prior to the reburial or repatriation of remains, and dissemination of the data; and (4) to continue national leadership in the treatment of ancient human remains and burial sites. Schermer has 20 years of experience in archaeology and human osteology in the Midwest and Plains and has authored or co-authored over a hundred technical reports, articles, and conference papers. She has also taught archaeology and osteology courses at the University of Iowa and the University of Dubuque. In addition to directing the Burials Program, she is currently the Society for American Archaeology (SAA) Education Network Coordinator for Iowa, a member of the SAA Public Education Committee, and an advisor to the State Preserves Advisory Board.

You can e-mail Shirley at:

Shirley-Schermer@uiowa.edu