Archeology
Team Bios
Staff Bios
Dave Williams
As Nebraska State Archeologist, Dave directs the State Archeology Office; oversees Nebraska’s archeological resources under the Nebraska Archeological Resources Preservation Act and National Historic Preservation Act; assists with the identification, recovery, and repatriation of human skeletal remains and consultation with Native American tribes; supervises cultural resource management projects; and disseminates archeological information to the public. Dave’s cultural resource management experience includes work across the Great Plains, Midwest U.S., Great Basin, Colorado Rockies, and in Oaxaca, Mexico. Prior to joining the Nebraska State Historical Society, he was the Assistant State Archeologist and Contracts Manager for the South Dakota State Historical Society. Dave’s research interests include public archeology, geochemical sourcing analysis, long-distance exchange of materials, and precontact ceramic production. Dave received a BA in Anthropology from the University of South Dakota and an MA in Anthropology from the University of Colorado Boulder.
Dr. Laura Crawford
As Assistant State Archeologist, Laura helps to oversee the State Archeology Office, including cultural resource management projects and staff. Prior to joining the Nebraska State Historical Society, Laura participated in and conducted fieldwork in Alaska, Hawaii, Iowa, New Mexico, and Ohio. Her research interests include public archeology, fuel management strategies, paleoethnobotany, and North American hunter-gatherer societies. Laura received a PhD in Archeology from The Ohio State University, an MA in Archeology from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, and a BA in Anthropology from Creighton University.
Jennifer Banks
Jen helps prepare Section 106 compliance reviews for the Nebraska Department of Transportation as a member of the Highway Archeology Program at NSHS. She received her BS from the University of Iowa in 2019 and her MA from Wichita State University in 2022. Jen has worked on a variety of cultural resource management projects throughout Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, and Texas. Her research interests include bison hunting toolkits, lithic technologies, and microfossil analysis.
Trent Carney
Trent received his BA in Anthropology with minors in History and German in 2016 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. After a few summers working on excavations overseas in Sweden and Scotland he returned to UNL and received his MA in Anthropology with a specialization in Professional Archaeology in 2022. He began working at NSHS as a temporary Archaeological Technician in 2021 and when the opportunity arose to make his position at NSHS permanent he leapt at the chance. As a member of the State Archaeology Office/Highway Archaeology program, Trent helps prepare Section 106 compliance reviews for various contracting firms as well as for the Nebraska Department of Transportation. His research interests include landscape archaeology, geographic information systems, ecological anthropology, and Vikings, which were the topic of his thesis work.
MaKenzie Coufal
MaKenzie graduated from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 2015 with a BA in Anthropology and a minor in Archeology. He began working for NSHS as a temporary archeological technician helping to process the NAGPRA collection for repatriation and quickly discovered there was nowhere he would rather work. Previously located at the Fort Robinson Museum, Coufal is now based in Lincoln and conducts archeological survey and testing projects throughout Nebraska for the Nebraska Department of Transportation and other clients. He is interested in prehistoric archeology as well as ground stone tool and ornament production. Work-related hobbies include pipe carving and Sand Hills floral identification.
Annie Davis
As the GIS Specialist, Annie oversees the management of geospatial data related to Nebraska’s archeological and historical resources. Prior to joining the Nebraska State Historical Society, Annie assisted with GIS and archeological needs for a variety of National Park Service units. There she got to participate in archeological fieldwork and GIS data collection in ten states across the midwest, southeast, and northeast regions. She received her BA from Kansas State University in 2019 and her MA from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2024. Her master’s education focused on utilizing digital tools such as GIS, 3D modeling, and game development programs for cultural management.
Email:annie.davis@nebraska.gov
Brian Goodrich
Brian’s duties include reviewing projects for the Highway Archeology Program, identifying and evaluating archeologically significant areas in Nebraska and working to preserve and protect those places. He also has the privilege to assist with outreach events like the September Archeology Month Volunteer Dig. Brian received his MA in Anthropology from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln and BA in History from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. His research interests includes lithic technologies, the Fur Trade Era, and Nebraska archeology.
Nolan Johnson
Nolan graduated from the University of South Dakota in 2004 with a BS in History and Anthropology. He received an MA in Anthropology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2006. His thesis was on the Beaver Creek Trail Crossing Site, which was a road ranch on the Nebraska City Cut-Off Trail. Johnson has worked at NSHS in various positions since 2007 and as an archeologist as part of the Highway Archeology Program since 2012. The largest part of his duties is working on Nebraska Department of Transportation projects in the northeast quarter of the state. Other interests include historic archeology, cultural change in Nebraska, and public archeology. Johnson is the President of the Nebraska Association of Professional Archeologists.
Diane Laffin
As a Preservation Associate for the Highway Archeology Program, Diane has completed numerous Section 106 compliance reports for Nebraska Department of Transportation projects. She received her MA in Public History from Loyola University in Chicago and has a BS in Education from the University of Minnesota. Her research interests include vernacular architecture, sod house construction, and historical settlement patterns.
Austin Magura
Austin graduated from Colorado State University in 2021 with a BA in History and Political Science. He later completed an MA in History from CSU in 2024. His work focused on cultural resource management, the built environment, and water history in the American West. Austin previously worked for the Public and Environmental History Center and joined the Nebraska State Historical Society as a Preservation Associate in 2024. In this role, Austin completes Section 106 compliance reports for Nebraska Department of Transportation projects as an architectural historian with the Secretary of the Interior’s professional qualifications for history.
Elsie McCabe
As an Archeological Technician, Elsie helps prepare Section 106 compliance reviews. She received her BA in History and Anthropology in 2024 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Before joining the team at the Nebraska State Historical Society, Elsie completed two collections internships: one in Nebraska for the Bureau of Reclamation and the National Council of Preservation Education, and another in Rome at the Colosseum. Her research interests include lithic technologies and long-distance exchange of materials.
Donna Stadig
As Office Assistant, Donna primarily works as part of the Highway Archeology Program (HAP) team logging and tracking project assignments and progress to provide project detail, status and summary reports, and is the point of contact between HAP and the Nebraska Department of Transportation. Prior to joining NSHS, Donna worked in leadership at Lincoln Literacy, and as an Editorial Assistant in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) School of Natural Resources. She earned a BA from UNL in English with a minor in Sociology. As a life-long Nebraskan, Donna enjoys exploring the state’s natural areas, county museums, and learning about the history of her family who settled here to farm in the late nineteenth century. In her free time, she enjoys camping, hiking and kayaking.
Connect With Us
Address
Nebraska State Archeology Office
5050 N. 32nd Street
Lincoln, NE 68504
HN.Archeology@nebraska.gov
Phone
State Archeology Office: Dave Williams (402-219-2759)
Highway Archeology Program: Dave Williams (402-219-2759)
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