South American Archaeology Lab
The South American Archaeology Lab in South Stevens Hall constitutes the primary work space for a growing team of researchers investigating the quaternary and human prehistory of South America. The lab contains two old computers (Macs), a slide scanner, two microscopes, an extensive library of archaeological and quaternary science books and journals, and an archive of South American maps and air photos. The lab also houses a robust malacological reference collection and selected archaeological materials from UMaine excavations on loan from Peru. Aside from regular research functions, the lab has been used for the preparation of archaeological materials for rock provenance studies, prehistoric artifact analyses, and archival preparation.
Projects carried out in the South American Archaeology Lab include:
- Analyzing ancient shells and bones to decipher the of prehistoric Peruvians;
- Using the same remains as clues to climatic conditions of the past, such as the prehistory of El Niño;
- Working with artifacts and geological samples of obsidian and other stones to reconstruct technology and track down the very places ancient people visited to get their raw material; and
- Processing digital data in a Geographic Information System to model early human behavior across the landscapes of Andean South America.
Each of these projects grows out of extensive field work by UMaine researchers in South America—our teams launch expeditions every year (covid years excepted) to gather new information about ancient Americans and their world.
The South American Archaeology Lab is directed by Dr. Dan Sandweiss
—
President, Society for American Archaeology
South Stevens Hall
University of Maine
Orono ME 04469 USA