ARCHAEOLOGY TEAM
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The Team
Working together on the idigNauvoo archaeological excavation project, this team of volunteer archaeologists, anthropologists, operational specialists, crew chiefs, and excavators has been dedicated to restoring this historic site, now in its 10th year. We have a dedicated and energetic team with a passion for discovering, preserving and sharing the legacy and history of the beautiful city of Nauvoo, Illinois.
Archaeologists and Anthropologists
Paul DeBarthe began his archaeological career in 1971, by joining the University of Missouri Archaeology Field School, conducted by Robert T. Bray. In 1975, he became the crew chief on the Times and Seasons excavations. He has been researching, excavating, and discovering locations and artifacts in and around the Nauvoo area for nearly 50 years. His experience has taken him to other locations, including Mexico, French Polynesia, and other states throughout the USA.
He hasn’t been alone in his passion for archaeology. His research and excavations have often been accompanied by many family members: from parents to grandchildren, spouse and siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
With retirement and as a co-founder of the idigNauvoo project, Paul’s focus has been on the continuing his research of this area, including writing the stories of the home sites in Nauvoo.
Paul DeBarthe
Kathy Black
Shane A. Baker is currently employed as the Senior Archaeologist for the Idaho Power Company, in Boise, Idaho. Prior to assuming that position in 2004, Shane was employed by Brigham Young University (BYU) for over ten years, where he served as an adjunct faculty member, Curator of the Museum of Peoples and Cultures, and staff archaeologist for the Office of Public Archaeology. Shane holds both a BS and an MA in Anthropology and Archaeology from BYU and is a Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA).
Katie Baker is currently a full-time mother and part-time volunteer archaeologist. She earned her BA in Anthropology and Archaeology from Brigham Young University. Katie loves historic archaeology and has enjoyed the opportunity to participate in archaeological work on occasion by volunteering at sites such as the Cyrus Jacobs/Uberuaga site in Boise, Idaho, Fort Seminoe in Wyoming and the Samuel Smith Site in Nauvoo. One of the highlights of her volunteer work included working with historic artifacts from the Nauvoo Temple Excavations with her husband Shane in 2004
Shane and Katie Baker
Wendy bacon
A native of New Hope, Pennsylvania, Wendy Bacon resides in Ithaca, New York. She attended Graceland [then] College and the University of Pennsylvania, from which she earned a PhD in Anthropology. Dr. Bacon has supervised archaeological fieldwork on three projects in Belize, Central America as well as in Illinois, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New York
on both historic and prehistoric sites. Her employment includes the American Section of the University of Pennsylvania Museum, the Near Eastern Department of Cornell University, Cultural Heritage Research Services, Inc.,
and currently the History Center of Tompkins County. She has given presentations on the ancient Maya at American Anthropological Association and Society for American Archaeology meetings as well as to local archaeological societies and schools from elementary to undergraduate.
Wendy also serves as the Publication Specialist for the idigNauvoo organization.
Operations
Bob Smith
Bob Smith is the Chairman of the ANS Legacy Foundation, DBA idigNauvoo, President of the Samuel H. Smith Foundation, Director of Operations for idigNauvoo, and Co-founder of the idigNauvoo project. Bob is a retired employee of Brigham Young University, and now spends much of his retirement working on the idigNauvoo project.
He and his lovely wife, Becky Smith, a crew chief, work together on the project every summer. They are the parents of five wonderful children, and 13 grandchildren. As decedents of Samuel H. Smith, family history is an very important part of their lives.
Synthia Debarthe
Synthia DeBarthe is the artifact preservationist. With painstaking detail, she is able to restore many of the pieces found on the digs.
Tom DeBarthe
Tom DeBarthe is the data specialist for idigNavuoo. He enters all of the archaeological tabulations in to the database.
Debbie & Courtney Nelson
Shown on the right is Debbie and Courtney Nelson. Debbie is the store manager for the idigNauvoo store. Her daughter, Courtney, is the assistant manager.
David Debarthe
David DeBarthe is the special assistant to the lead archaeologist.
Steve Smith was our bone specialist. Because he was a veterinarian, he was able to identify a variety types of bones. He will be greatly missed. 1954 to 2021.
Rick and Coleen Lyman are volunteer surveyors for idigNauvoo.
Jim Britt is a construction and restoration specialist. Jim is a volunteer helping us with the building and remodeling of housing for students, staff and volunteers while at the dig.
Boyce Black is a construction and restoration specialist. Jim is a volunteer helping us with the building and remodeling of housing for students, staff and volunteers while at the dig.
Shown on the right is Darlene Chapman. She is the web designer and staff writer for the idigNauvoo.org website.
Crew Chiefs
Becky Smith
Grace Granberry
Rebecca Armstrong
Mary Armstrong
Rebecca Armstrong
Rebecca Armstrong
Greg Schiezer
idigNauvoo Team 2014
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