• About Us
  • History
  • Staff
  • Research Associates
  • Volunteers
  • Help Wanted
  • The Center for New Mexico Archaeology
  • "Archaeology at the Museum of New Mexico"
• Labs and Services
  • Archaeomagnetic Dating Laboratory
  • Low Energy Plasma Laboratory
  • Nondestructive Chemical Analysis Laboratory
  • Ceramic Analysis
  • Chipped Stone Artifact Analysis
  • Ethnobotany Laboratory
  • Historical Analysis
  • Osteology Laboratory
• Fieldwork
  • Abandoned Mine Land Program
  • Acomita Interchange
  • Capitol Parking Facility
  • Casas Grandes
  • Cookes Peak
  • Executive Office Building
  • Galisteo Basin
  • Gavilan
  • High Rolls Cave
  • Jicarilla
  • La Plata
  • Loving Lakes
  • New Mexico History Museum
  • Northwest Santa Fe Relief Route
  • Peña Blanca
  • Padoma
  • Pueblo de Santa Fe
  • Santa Fe to Pojoaque Corridor
  • Seven Rivers
  • State Land Office
  • Tres Piedras
  • Twin Lakes
  • Water Canyon
• Publications
  • Archaeology Notes
  • FOA Newsletters
• Education
  • Request a Program
  • Find Us on the Road
  • Youth and Family Programs
  • Project Archaeology
  • Adult Programs
  • Educational Resources
  • Internships
• Events
• Media
  • The OAS on Flickr
  • Listen to Chuck Hannaford on the radio
  • The OAS in the news
  • OAS' YouTube channel
• Ceramic typology
• Support the OAS
• Contact Us

About the Office of Archaeological Studies

The Office of Archaeological Studies (OAS) conducts archaeological research projects throughout New Mexico with a diverse group of 8 archaeologists and support staff. Our mission is to identify, interpret, and share information about prehistoric and historic sites across the state. OAS serves other State agencies and private organizations that require archaeological studies as part of their development projects. In addition, we provide ethnographic and historical research services and have an education outreach program that directly interacts with New Mexicans in order to answer their questions about archaeology, history, and the heritage of New Mexico. That program twice received the Society for American Archaeology's Excellence in Public Education Award, in 2005 and again in 2012.

In addition to client-initiated projects, OAS conducts research projects that are funded by grants and private donations. Many of the projects make use of a dedicated corps of volunteers or involve our many research associates. OAS provides training opportunities for university students and makes use of their skills in the latest technology. We also engage in educational outreach programs in surrounding states.

OAS has five specialized laboratories, a research library, and a publications department. Our archaeomagnetic dating laboratory is one of two full-time laboratories in the United States that are dedicated to this dating technique and our low-energy plasma radiocarbon sampling laboratory enables us to nearly non-destructive date fragile archaeological materials.