AP: INDIANA JONES' FORD ELECTED TO BOSTON-BASED ARCHAEOLOGICAL GROUP

[MichaelDoran]

BOSTON (AP) _ The actor who helped glamorize archaeology in the ``Indiana Jones''' movies is lending his star power to the Archaeological Institute of America.

Harrison Ford, who portrays the adventure-seeking archaeologist, has been elected to the Boston-based organization's board of directors.

The group promotes archaeological excavation, research, education and preservation around the world. AIA president Brian Rose says Ford, in his role as ``Indiana Jones,'' has played a major part in stimulating interest in archaeological exploration.

The latest installment in the series, ``Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of Crystal Skull,'' premieres in U.S. theaters May 22.

In a statement from Ford released by the AIA, the actor said understanding the past helps in ``dealing with the present and the future.''