Gold Medal Award for Distinguished Archaeological Achievement

The AIA Gold Medal Award for Distinguished Archaeological Achievement is the highest award bestowed by the Archaeological Institute of America. It is presented annually to a scholar who has made distinguished contributions to archaeology through research and/or field work. The recipient receives the medal, a citation documenting their outstanding achievements, and a symposium is held in their honor at the Annual Meeting. The award recognizes lifetime achievement and impact on the discipline through research and/or field work, including museum work. As per AIA policy, current AIA Governing Board members, AIA employees, and their families are ineligible for nomination. The award may not be presented in years when the committee determines there are no deserving candidates among the nominees.