Today, the archaeology program at the Kansas Historical Society has grown into staff of several archaeologists and assistants directed by the state archaeologist.

The diving operation was headed by Ralph Wilbanks, the state archaeologist who represented the university.

Some states like North Carolina also require the state archaeologist to be contacted, he said.

His archaeology training comes from apprenticeships with a number of state archaeologists.

In addition to serving as the state archaeologist, he is also an assistant research professor at the University of Connecticut.

Here are some excerpts from that conversation: Q. How long has Connecticut had a state archaeologist?

Q. As the state archaeologist, what are your duties?

To validate the discovery, he needed the agreement of Nicholas Bellantoni, the state archaeologist.

He called the state medical examiner's office, which in turn alerted the state archaeologist, Nicholas Bellantoni.

For over three centuries the wreckage of La Belle lay forgotten until it was discovered by a team of state archaeologists in 1995.