ABOUT THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF AMERICA Norton The Archaeological Institute of America, or AIA, was founded in 1879 in Boston by noted scholar and Harvard history of art professor Charles Eliot Norton. Chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1906, the AIA is the oldest and largest organization dedicated to the field of archaeology in the world. The organization numbers among its members both professional archaeologists and those in the general public with a passion for archaeology. Throughout its history, the AIA has continued to support its members, fulfill its mission, and live up to its motto of Excavate, Educate, and Advocate. Archaeological Institute of America | 32 | archaeological.orghttp://www.archaeological.org