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The Office of Archaeological Studies in the news!

OAS Archaeologist Wolky Toll and Director Eric Blinman are featured in this article about Chaco outlier sites:

"With so much of its human past scattered in plain sight across the landscape, New Mexico offers the casual day-tripper and more serious archaeology buff an amazing range of sites to visit. As the poster child for ancient ruins here and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Chaco Canyon stands with sites like the Egyptian pyramids, Stonehenge, and the Great Wall of China for its uniqueness and its high levels of political, economic, and cultural development. For decades, the canyon’s breathtaking monumental public architecture has drawn visitors from around the world. It is, of course, a must-see—but there’s much more to Chaco Culture than the Canyon"...read more

This article originally appeared in the May 2013 issue of New Mexico Magazine.

About the Office of Archaeological Studies

The Office of Archaeological Studies (OAS) conducts archaeological research projects throughout New Mexico with a diverse group of 25–40 archaeologists and support staff. Our mission is to identify, interpret, and share information about prehistoric and historic sites across the state. The office serves state agencies and private organizations that need archaeological studies performed as part of their development projects. In addition, we also provide ethnographic and historical research services. We 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. Under Chuck Hannaford's leadership, that program has 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, the Office of Archaeological Studies conducts research projects that are funded by grants and private donations. Many of the projects make use of a dedicated corps of volunteers. The office provides training opportunities for university students and makes use of their skills in the latest technology. We also collaborate on archaeological projects with Mexico's national archaeological program and have held educational outreach programs in surrounding states.

The office has five specialized laboratories, a small library, and a Publications Department. We have nationally recognized specialists in pottery, botany, and osteology. Our archaeomagnetic dating laboratory is one of two full-time laboratories in the United States that are dedicated to this dating technique.