Upcoming Events

March 16, 2024

Education Outreach at the Santa Fe Children's Museum
Saturday, March 16th, 2024, 12 pm until 4 pm, free*!

March 19, 2024

Education Outreach at the Moise Memorial Library in Santa Rosa
Tuesday, March 19th, 2024, 11 am until 2 pm, free!

March 27, 2024

60 Years of Archaeomagnetism in the United States
OAS Brown Bag talk by Dr. Shelby Jones, laboratory supervisor and project director for the OAS, at the CNMA, 12:00 noon, free!

March 28, 2024

Education Outreach at the Española Public Library
Thursday, March 28th, 2024, 1 pm until 4 pm, free!

March 30, 2024

Governor's Easter Bash
Saturday, March 30th, 2024

OAS at a Glance

The Office of Archaeological Studies (OAS) has been providing cultural resource management services throughout New Mexico since 1952. . .
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About the Office of Archaeological Studies


The Office of Archaeological Studies (OAS) conducts archaeological research projects throughout New Mexico with a diverse group of 13 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.

Roomblocks at the McCarty's highway salvage excavation

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.