Achievement Awards

The KyOPA Awards Program was established in 2004 to recognize the achievements of individuals in Kentucky archaeology. The awards are not necessarily intended to be annual awards but rather to recognize significant contributions as necessary. Nomination forms must be submitted by January 1 for consideration of achievements in the previous calendar year. Nominations are evaluated by the KyOPA Board of Directors. Awards are presented at the annual KyOPA business meeting in the spring.

KyOPA Awards Nomination Form

Send completed form to:
Alexandra Bybee
Cultural Resource Analysts
151 Walton Ave.
Lexington, KY 40508-2364
WK: (859)252-4737
bybee@crai-ky.com

Past Winners

2020: Stephen Moras, Lifetime Achievement in Professional Archaeology
2020: Cecil Ison, Lifetime Achievement in Professional Archaeology

 Lifetime Achievement Award in Professional Archaeology

This award recognized the lifetime achievements of a professional archaeologist from academia or cultural resource management. The nominee will have made significant contributions to the understanding of Kentucky history and/or prehistory through archaeology. Selection criteria are:

1. Length of professional activity;
2. Nature of professional accomplishments;
3. Significance of professional accomplishments, and;
4. Impact on Kentucky archaeology.

Lifetime Achievement Award in Avocational Archaeology

This award recognized the lifetime achievement of an avocational archaeologist. The nominee will have made significant contributions to the understanding of Kentucky history and/or prehistory through archaeology. Selection criteria are:

1. Length of avocational activity;
2. Nature of avocational accomplishments;
3. Significance of avocational accomplishments, and;
4. Impact on Kentucky archaeology.

Lifetime Achievement Award in Historic Preservation or Public Archaeology

This award recognizes the lifetime achievement of a professional archaeologist, an avocational archaeologist, or a citizen. The nominee will have made significant contributions to the preservation of cultural resources in the Commonwealth and/or to public understanding of Kentucky history and/or prehistory through archaeology. Selection criteria are:

1. Length of service in historic preservation or public archaeology;
2. Nature of accomplishments in historic preservation or public archaeology;
3. Significance of accomplishments in historic preservation or public archaeology, and;
4. Impact on Kentucky archaeology.

Special Achievement Award in Archaeology

This award recognizes the special achievement of a professional archaeologist, an avocational archaeologist, or a citizen over the previous calendar year. Through the special achievement, the nominee will have made a significant contribution to the understanding of Kentucky history and/or prehistory through archaeology, the preservation of cultural resources in the Commonwealth, public understanding of Kentucky history and/or prehistory through archaeology, or another area related to archaeology. Selection criteria are:

1. Nature of special accomplishment;
2. Significance of special accomplishment;
3. Use of innovative approaches, and;
4. Impact on Kentucky archaeology.

Outstanding Thesis/Dissertation on Kentucky Archaeology

This award recognizes an outstanding thesis or dissertation related to some topic on Kentucky archaeology. The thesis or dissertation must have been completed over the previous calendar year but need not have been authored by a student at a Kentucky university. Selection criteria are:

1. Nature of thesis/dissertation;
2. Significance of thesis/dissertation, and;
3. Impact on Kentucky archaeology.