UW-La Crosse Emeritus Professor James Theler shared with the faculty and students of UW-L all about his 30 years studying ancient people and environments of the Coulee Region and Midwest. Theler received his Ph.D. in 1983 from UW-Madison. He was also head of their Archeology Department from 2000 until 2009. Theler is now a retired professor of archeology and spends his time giving talks about his discoveries.

Theler asked his students, “Do you want to see my slides?”

They responded “no,” because they had already heard all about his 40 years of study in the archeology field.

“So in reality this is the second time anyone will be seeing these slides,” stated Theler.

Theler and his crew did not have any money, high-end cameras and, he informed, at that time, “selfie” was not yet a term. Theler’s crew were in the majority of the pictures because Theler was behind the camera.

1976 was Theler’s first real archeological experience working in the Mississippi River Valley and Prairie du Chien.

“I went to work on a floatella, usually,” said Theler.

A floatella is a small metal boat that has a motor attached. Theler analyzed the pottery bones, shells and muscles. There were also a lot of land snails. At least 100 land snails could fit on one penny.

After graduate school, Theler got a job in Iowa for a year but left because a friend needed help. He packed up his bags and never went back.

“One time we had people come and spread manure all over our archeological site, destroying many discoveries,” stated Theler.

Throughout his life, Theler has influenced so many people including forming colleagues, students and people who admire his work. Theler is recognized for many archeological discoveries.

Awards were given out by the Mississippi Valley Archeology Center, and these awards included the James P. Gallagher Award in Archeology Excellence, which was presented to Ruthann Benson, dean of UW-L’s College of Liberal Studies, the Archeology Education Award, which was presented to Norskedalen Nature and Heritage Center, and the Regional Archeology Award, presented to Jay Bittner, a local collector.