ARCHAEOLOGY LABORATORY
The University of South Dakota Archaeology Laboratory (ARCHLAB) was organized in 1976 and approved as a research unit of the University of South Dakota by the Board of Regents in 1977. Since its establishment, ARCHLAB has been active in research about the human prehistory of the Great Plains region and education of students and the public about archaeology.
ARCHLAB's missions are two: 1) to learn about the ancient human past of the South Dakota region, especially the eastern part of the state, and adjacent regions by conducting field and laboratory research, and 2) to educate students and the general public about the importance of archaeology, its methods, and the archaeology of the region.
ARCHLAB's objectives are:
1) to develop and conduct programs of research about the prehistory of the region,
2) to assist public and private agencies, through grants and contracts with ARCHLAB, in meeting federal and state laws that require protection of cultural resources,
3) to develop and conduct programs that educate university students in the methods of archaeology, and
4) to develop and conduct educational programs for the general public about archaeology and the prehistory of the region.
ARCHLAB is located in East Hall on the University of South Dakota campus. Laboratories, curation facilities and a specialized library occupy the entire basement and part of the first floor of East Hall. A wet lab and field storage lockers occupy the basement of nearby building. ARCHLAB has field equipment capable of supporting two large field projects. ARCHLAB operations are supervised by a Director. Staff consists of two additional PhD archaeologists and others depending on project needs. ARCHLAB contracts for the services of specialists such as geomorphologists, biologists, and others, utilizing the expertise of USD faculty and that of specialists from other institutions. The Director of ARCHLAB is supervised by the Anthropology Department Chairperson (associated with the Department of Social Behavior) in the College of Arts and Sciences.
ARCHLAB conducts cultural resources management (CRM) projects as its primary activity. This involves carrying out surveys for archaeological and other important cultural resources for agencies who are required by law to see that cultural heritage is not destroyed by their actions. Beyond surveys, ARCHLAB conducts test excavations and full excavations where necessary. ARCHLAB also runs an annual field school to train students in archaeological methods; field schools are sometimes made part of the CRM projects. As well, USD ARCHLAB participates in a number of public education programs.
ARCHLAB Educational programs have been well received with special recognition by the South Dakota State Historical Society and the World Archaeological Congress. Grants and contracts have totaled nearly two million dollars for numerous projects for many federal, state and local agencies.
ARCHLAB maintains a field and laboratory staff able to conduct at least three major projects simultaneously. We also have as consultants a variety of specialists.
For additional information, contact Dr. Brian Molyneaux, Director, or Dr. L. E. Bradley, Chairman, Department of Anthropology at 605-677-5401. E-mail: archlab@sunbird.usd.edu.
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