Every day in southeastern North Carolina pieces of our community’s history are lost forever. This unwritten history is found in archaeological deposits below the streets, businesses, and homes you walk by daily. Archaeological sites on private property in North Carolina are not protected, and this is where members of the Public Archaeology Corps get involved. We work with property owners to gain access to these sites before redevelopment and then recover, analyze, and study to learn the real stories of our community. These stories aren’t recorded in their written history.  The practice of archaeology can connect a community to its past and enrich the lives of those who participate.  Preserve the past and enrich the future, join the Corps!

Mission

Our mission is to protect archaeological sites located on privately owned land.

Archaeological sites on public lands, such as military bases or state/national parks, are protected by state and federal laws.  Sites located on private land are not under any protection, and many are lost to development each year.  The careful study of an intact site by professional archaeologists often adds to what we know about history; when an archaeological site is lost, a piece of history is lost as well.

Our geographical focus is southeast North Carolina, in and around Wilmington.

Public Archaeology Corps Logo 2024

Who We Are

Public Archaeology Corps is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization consisting of professional archaeologists, historians, and private citizens united in their concern over the rapid loss of archaeological sites.

Our Approach

We protect these endangered resources based upon a threefold approach of engagement:

PUBLIC EDUCATION

PUBLIC OUTREACH

VOLUNTEERISM

PUBLIC EDUCATION

We offer direct engagement with local youth of all ages.  We teach youth about archaeology using age-appropriate content and hands-on activities.

 

PUBLIC OUTREACH

We offer information about our organization at local events (festivals, farmer’s markets, etc.), speaking engagements, and active archaeology events (where members of the public are welcome to interact with the archaeologists during an active excavation).

VOLUNTEERISM

We offer opportunities for volunteers to be involved in an active excavation of privately owned sites under the direction of professional archaeologists.  This approach allows untrained members of the community to directly participate while under the supervision of professionals.

About The Active Site

Every other Saturday we are open to visitors of all ages to experience a current archaeology active site.  Please register under the events tab.  Visitors will experience the satisfaction of saving archaeological resources, enabling archaeological education, and helping to tell the lost stories of our community.

About The Lab

The Lab is available to visit when registration is completed on this site.    Visitors may be allowed to volunteer to assist in the process if space is available and actions are approved by the acting director in attendance. This will enable archaeological education, and help to tell the lost stories of our community.

Members and Volunteers

Jon Schleier
Jon Schleier

PAC Executive Director

Lyle Bass L.bass.PAC@gmail.com
Lyle Bass L.bass.PAC@gmail.com

PAC Coordinator of Public Outreach and Public Relations

Mike Sr.
Mike Sr.

Senior Geologist

Grenda Dennis
Grenda Dennis

The Old Trouble Maker, Loved By All

Michael Haseltine Jr.
Michael Haseltine Jr.

Pit Gremlin

Carol Ragan
Carol Ragan

Dirt Addict

Pax and Daniel Chaffin
Pax and Daniel Chaffin

"Pax The Amazing" youtube Influencer and Daniel the Graphic Designer

Amr Elsaid
Amr Elsaid

Egyptian Archaeologist

Luis Sanchez
Luis Sanchez

Brand New Rock Fan

Robin Morgan
Robin Morgan

Trowel Hog

Lisa Comento
Lisa Comento

PAC Instagram Media Maven

Paul Hepp
Paul Hepp

Dig Dog

Jasmine & Tessa Zucker
Jasmine & Tessa Zucker

old world digs new world together

Jenna Sultana
Jenna Sultana

pit daemon

Anthony Richardson
Anthony Richardson

Volunteer Archaeologist

Patrick H. Garrow
Patrick H. Garrow

RPA , PAC Laboratory Director

Doug Dickinson
Doug Dickinson

PAC Equipment Manager

Keith Keeney
Keith Keeney

PAC Board of Directors

David A. Norris
David A. Norris

Historian

Lisa Salak
Lisa Salak

LPN

Greg Maestro
Greg Maestro

Owner of Deviate Media and RidePlay TV

Christy and Beth Chaffin
Christy and Beth Chaffin

Archaeology sisters

Mercer Johnson
Mercer Johnson

Glorified Sifter

Scott A. Wyatt
Scott A. Wyatt

Retired Professor, University of Illinois

Paul Hall
Paul Hall

UNCW Student Member, gone Rogue

John Hooks
John Hooks

PAC Volunteer Coordinator

Mindy Ellinger
Mindy Ellinger

PAC Event Coordinator

Dennis Stout
Dennis Stout

Not dead

Ryan Palumbo
Ryan Palumbo

Headhunter in Shaloottee

Lillie Wright
Lillie Wright

cleaning specialist

Hunter Creek
Hunter Creek

student sifter

Will Lees
Will Lees

Retired Archaeologist who can't stop diggin'

Monica Beck
Monica Beck

RPA Historical Archaelogist

Braxton
Braxton

Archeological Repeat Offender in the hole

Jason Norris
Jason Norris

Copy Editor by Trade, Archaeologist by Passion

Henrietta Sutton
Henrietta Sutton

School based Occupational Therapist

Jacob Sutton
Jacob Sutton

Owner of Infuse Studio

Nick Rosa
Nick Rosa

Future Paleontologist

Marian Kuethe Wyatt wyattma@gmail.com
Marian Kuethe Wyatt wyattma@gmail.com

PAC Tech Coordinator

Linda
Linda

Pretend Archaeologist

Issy Gee
Issy Gee

Student Member

Nancy the Lab Worker
Nancy the Lab Worker
Alex Clupper
Alex Clupper

College Outreach Coordinator

Becky Smith
Becky Smith

"Da Bomb"

Mike & Debbie Palumbo
Mike & Debbie Palumbo

annoying and more annoying , said their son Ryan

Mandy Sivits
Mandy Sivits

Soon to be...Environmental Scientist

Public Archaeology Corps Logo 2024

Click on Link Below to Watch the WWAY Story

WWAY VISITS PAC

WWAY comes to the lab and the field for an interview of  PAC Historian, David Norris and PAC volunteers.

Public Archaeology Corps Logo 2024

Spotlight on Jonathan Schleier

Instagram spotlight on our Executive Director,

created by Lisa Comento,

Instagram Coordinator for PAC

Spotlight on Isybilla Gee

Instagram Spotlight on PAC High School Outreach Coordinator

created by Lisa Comento,

Instagram Coordinator for PAC

Novel Published April 21, 2024 by One of Our Own: Isybilla Gee

One of our very own volunteers at PAC just published a historical novel titled LOVE FOR LEGACY.  We are so proud of our “Issy” and wanted to share her news.  Please consider purchasing her book at the following link.

WWAY Pays PAC A Visit

WWAY comes to the lab and the field for an interview of Issy and our PAC leaders.

Click on Link Below to Watch the WWAY Story

WWAY VISITS PAC

WWAY comes to the lab and the field for an interview of Issy and our PAC leaders.

Map from 1882