Researchers at the Pacific Slope Archaeological Laboratory provide advanced analytical and field services in support of archaeological projects of all kinds. Working together, we can apply cutting-edge methods to generate scientific knowledge about the past.

We perform three dimensional laser digitization for artifacts, faunal remains, and other objects. High resolution 3D digital scans are the foundation for modern morphometric analyses and physical reproductions. We can create high quality physical replicas for museum exhibition, digital models for sharing online, or multiple copies for hands-on education.

Three dimensional digital models are powerful datasets for intensive and innovative analyses of ancient technologies. We harness the power of 3D digital morphometric analyses to study the technological and typological patterns held in the geometric form of artifacts.

Armed with our portable x-ray fluorescence (PXRF) meter, we can also explore the elemental attributes of archaeological materials. PXRF provides key data used to establish the origin of stone tool materials, to correlate geologic deposits within a site’s stratigraphic record, and can reveal whether an artifact is found in an undisturbed associative context.

Pacific Slope Archaeology Laboratory researchers can help unravel the geoarchaeological record of a site, locality or landscape. Our Geoprobe 7822DT coring rig can recover intact sediment cores from depths below 100 feet. Data gleaned from cores are used to model ancient landscapes, reconstruct patterns of landscape change, and to reveal the distribution of archaeologically important deposits. 

Without a good way to store, recall, and analyze the big data that is being generated by new analytical techniques, archaeologists are often tied to paradigms of analysis from twenty years ago. We can help you with your big data related challanges, by designing in-the-field applications for the recordation of data, assisting with the integration of applications such as GIS with artifact inventory systems, and by conducting innovative statistical analyses on your data. Let us help you use the tools of today and tomorrow to answer the questions of yesterday.