Office of Archaeological Studies | December 2025

The Office of Archaeological Studies continued to expand its reach across New Mexico in November through hands-on education programs, community partnerships, and preparations for the launch of Ice Age New Mexico curriculum. This new traveling program will bring fossil casts, archaeological interpretation, and interactive presentations about Pleistocene megafauna into classrooms and public venues statewide.

OAS staff delivered educational programming in dozens of schools, libraries, and community centers this fall, with outreach highlights including artifact replica handling, rock art scratchboards, pottery-making, and atlatl throwing demonstrations. More than 800 students have been reached this school year, with continued demand for bus transportation to OAS headquarters in Santa Fe where students can tour the labs and interact with archaeologists directly. The Friends of Archaeology (FOA) recently committed $5,000 to establish a School Bus Fund for the OAS in 2026 to help fulfill this need.

Informed by a recent FOA member survey, the OAS and FOA are planning new member programs that reflect member interests. Programs will focus on lecture formats, in-person and online, as well as easy/moderate hikes to archaeological sites. Board recruitment is also underway, with a focus on individuals with experience in marketing, education, and digital outreach. Please let us know if you would like to serve on the FOA Board.

As the calendar year draws to a close, trustees are encouraged to support OAS’s Education and Outreach Program, which serves as a critical gateway to New Mexico’s rich archaeological heritage for students and families across the state.

To make a gift or learn more about how to support OAS, please visit www.museumfoundation.org/give-oas/ or contact Lauren Paige at 505.982.2282, or [email protected]. Thank you for helping us preserve and share New Mexico’s extraordinary past.