Partners in Preservation

New South is in good company when it comes to historic preservation. Organizations, universities, and archaeological firms work together to promote the conservation of cultural resources in our community and beyond. Are you interested in volunteering at an archaeological excavation, attending a lecture, or starting a career in archaeology? Read below to find out how you can get involved in the #protectorsofthepast community!

University of West Georgia – Antonio J. Waring Archaeological Laboratory

The University of West Georgia (UWG) can help you on your journey to becoming an archaeologist! At UWG, you can earn a degree in Anthropology (archaeology is one of four subfields of American Anthropology). UWG also has an incredible archaeological laboratory where you can get involved! Primarily a research facility, the Waring lab is dedicated to the scholarly pursuit of knowledge about past cultures in Georgia and the greater Southeast region. Thousands of prehistoric and historic archaeological collections are held in trust by the Waring Lab, which exceeds federally required curation standards. To learn more about the UWG Anthropology Department, visit UWG | Anthropology (westga.edu)             

University of Georgia

Established in the fall of 1947, the Laboratory of Archaeology at the University of Georgia (UGA) is one of the largest archaeological research and collections facilities in Georgia. Their mission includes preserving and curating qualified archaeological collections and records, facilitating research for professionals and training students in archaeology, and providing service to the state of Georgia. The Laboratory employs UGA students and interns throughout the semester providing them with hands-on training in archaeological curation.

The Department of Anthropology at UGA emphasizes an environmental and ecological approach to all anthropological studies, including archaeology. A number of archaeology courses at the undergraduate and graduate-level courses are offered in the department and include a wide range of topics, such as the archaeology of warfare, Cultural Resource Management, and archaeological theory. The Laboratory of Archaeology also provides a classroom setting for practicums concerning material culture and curation management. You can visit the UGA Department of Anthropology website at http://anthropology.uga.edu. 

The Laboratory of Archaeology is a resource to UGA as well as to the state and provides an exceptional environment to conduct archaeological research. Behind-the-scene tours and school group visits are available but must be scheduled in advance. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for upcoming volunteer opportunities, research and Laboratory updates, and more. You can visit the UGA Laboratory website at Laboratory of Archaeology | Anthropology (uga.edu) .

Georgia State University

The Department of Anthropology at Georgia State University offers undergraduate and graduate (Master’s level) courses in archaeology and bioarchaeology.  At the undergraduate level students are exposed to all of the sub-fields of anthropology, biological anthropology, archaeology, linguistic anthropology, and cultural anthropology.  We do our best to create signature experiences for students through internships, study abroad, or field schools.  At the graduate level, we have a two-year Master of Arts program.  Students can pursue an applied route that results in a capstone paper or a thesis route. 

At the graduate level, we offer a museum concentration.  This concentration is focused on the anthropological examination of curation, exhibition, and museum practice from a comparative and global prospective.  Like much of the work in our department, this has an applied perspective focusing on the relationship between museums and their stakeholder communities.  The Department also has an archaeology lab that houses the MARTA archaeological collection, a collection of over 500 banker-boxes holding artifacts associated with Atlanta’s history. 

Visit https://news.gsu.edu/magazine/summer2018/treasures-of-terminus for an overview on the collection and the work we are doing with it.  There are opportunities for volunteer work at the lab.  We historically handle this through the Greater Atlanta Archaeological Society (GAAS).  Volunteers help us re-bag and re-label artifacts and recently have been helping create a digital archive of a large collection of projectile points.  If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Jeffrey Glover at jglover@gsu.edu.  For general information about the department, please visit https://anthropology.gsu.edu/.

Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT)

While the primary goal of GDOT is to provide a “safe, efficient and sustainable transportation system,” its mission statement commits the agency to “environmental sensitivity.” The consideration of historic and archaeological resources during routine project development is part of this environmental sensitivity. Historic and archaeological resources, often referred to as cultural resources, also factor into special GDOT activities through the Transportation Enhancement Activity program and the Scenic Byways program. The GDOT Archaeology Unit provides the public with educational opportunities that promote cultural awareness and respect for Georgia’s shared cultural heritage. GDOT Archaeologists are architects of progressive Public Education/Outreach initiatives that reach Georgians of all ages and interests. Through partnership with the Georgia Department of Education (GDOE), GDOT archaeologists have created educational resources and programs that effectively engage children in archaeology and Georgia’s prehistory.

Fort Benning

Fort Benning straddles the southern portion of the Georgia/Alabama state lines and is nestled between Phenix City, AL and Columbus, GA. Dubbed the US Army Maneuver Center of Excellence, Fort Benning is home to Basic Training, Airborne and Ranger School. Cultural Resources Management (CRM) at Fort Benning supports Federal requirements for the conservation of archaeological sites and historic structures on the Fort Benning Reservation. Proposed activities on Fort Benning, such as training and construction, are reviewed through completion of the Fort Benning Form 144-R, Record of Environmental Consideration which is submitted to the Environmental Programs Management Branch of the Environmental Management Division of the Directorate of Public Works (DPW). Learn more at https://www.benning.army.mil/garrison/dpw/emd/Cultural-Resources.html.

Historic Preservation Division (HPD)

The Historic Preservation Division (HPD) is Georgia’s state historic preservation office, or SHPO. Every state has a SHPO, as established by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. HPD has several key functions as part of the national historic preservation program. First, through the Section 106 compliance program (named for the section of the federal implementing regulations of the NHPA), HPD functions as a watchdog over federal agencies doing business in the state, helping to insure that they respect our most important historic resources. Second, we administer various economic development programs that leverage private capital to encourage business growth, especially in our many smaller towns and communities. Finally, through programs like the National Register of Historic Places, Certified Local Governments, and others, we work with partners both inside and outside state government to encourage regional and local planning, neighborhood conservation, downtown revitalization, heritage tourism and archaeological site protection. The end of the 2020 legislative session marked the transfer of the Historic Preservation Division (HPD) from the Department of Natural Resources to the Department of Community Affairs (DCA). The team responsible for preserving Georgia’s legacy is now housed in the DCA.

Historic Atlanta

Historic Atlanta is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and advocating for the thoughtful reuse of Atlanta’s historic resources. We help communities save and thoughtfully reuse Atlanta’s historically significant places through advocacy, education, and technical assistance. Historic Atlanta emerged from a network of preservation professionals and passionate lay-people, united in the belief that for Atlanta to become a truly world-class city, it needs to respect its history, not destroy it, that spurred the organization of Historic Atlanta. Learn more about Historic Atlanta at https://www.historicatlanta.org/.

Georgia Council of Professional Archaeologists

The Georgia Council of Professional Archaeologists is an organization which was established in 1990 to provide an opportunity for professional archaeologists working in Georgia to share their efforts, knowledge, and information to improve and coordinate their professional activities for the benefit and advancement of archaeology, especially in Georgia. The GCPA cooperates with other organizations working in related and allied fields, encourages the dissemination of information concerning archaeology in Georgia and maintenance of the highest professional standards in archaeology. The GCPA develops proposals for State archaeological programs and work to get those programs implemented, as well as monitors state legislation to ensure the protection of cultural resources in Georgia. To learn more, visit Georgia Council of Professional Archaeologists » About GCPA (georgia-archaeology.org)

The Society for Georgia Archaeology

The Society for Georgia Archaeology (SGA), initiated in the 1930s and reorganized in 1973, is a 501(c)3 (non-profit) organization; its members are avocational and professional archaeologists. The SGA has always sought to unite all persons interested in Georgia archaeology; the SGA actively works as an organization to identify, study, interpret, and preserve Georgia’s rich historic and prehistoric archaeological heritage. SGA members work with private landowners, school groups, a historic house museum, and individuals to raise the public’s awareness of archeological sites and resources in planning, development and management. Two ways SGA members accomplish this task is through the development of programs that help promote Archaeology Month, held each spring, and by participating in Chapter activities. Chapters are sub organizations located around the state that meet more frequently than the SGA and conduct activities tailored to their own membership. You can join the SGA by visiting https://the-society-for-georgia-archaeology.square.site/.

Gwinnett Archaeology Research Society (GARS)

Gwinnett Archaeological Research Society (GARS), a local chapter of the Society of Georgia Archaeology, promotes research into and protection of archaeological sites and artifacts – primarily in Gwinnett County; encourages interest in and activities consistent with these goals; and documents Gwinnett history as it relates to historic and prehistoric sites. The GARS mission is to educate the public about local archaeological resources and advocate for the preservation of those resources. Visit the GARS website at http://home.thegars.org/ and follow us on Instagram @gwinnettarchaeology!

Greater Atlanta Archaeological Society (GAAS)