World-Class Research: Engaging the Past, Informing the Future

Consider the Office of Archaeological Studies a scientific detective agency.

In offices at the Center for New Mexico Archaeology, a dedicated team of researchers work in multiple laboratories, piecing together objects from New Mexico’s archaeological past to inform our present. At once employing cutting-edge tools in the radiocarbon sampling lab, undertaking important research in the archaeomagnetic lab, and engaging in complementary fieldwork, their investigations of the past help clarify how we tackle present day challenges like climate change.

The expertise of OAS researchers is world-class and attracts internationally significant projects. It’s also put to use to analyze artifacts from the contract archaeology projects that help support this nonprofit enterprise division of the Museum of New Mexico system.

Marvin Rowe, who heads up the Low Energy Plasma Radiocarbon Sampling Laboratory, pioneered a groundbreaking technique that Archaeology Magazine in 2010 called "one of the most important discoveries in decades." Considered to be the most elaborate and precise dating systems developed to date, radiocarbon dating determines an object’s age by precisely measuring the decay of a specific carbon isotope trapped within. It requires just a minuscule sample—as little as 30 millionths of a gram of carbon—ensuring the artifacts are not harmed.

If radiocarbon dating can't be used, then OAS lab supervisor Shelby Jones takes over in the Archaeomagnetic Laboratory, where an object’s magnetic signature is recorded, much like a fingerprint. This lab is already one of the most complete repositories of North American
archived specimens. With new specimens constantly arriving, Jones says, “These labs will soon serve as a research library for scientists across the U.S. and the world.”

In order to accommodate more materials, a significant upgrade to the lab’s equipment and custom carpentry is underway, though additional
private support is needed. Once completed, Jones and OAS will be prepared to utilize a wider range of research techniques.

Meanwhile, Osteology Laboratory supervisor Chandler Buchfink examines skeletal remains, revealing a wealth of information about the lives of people who lived in this region long ago. Buchfink can determine if they were primarily hunters, gatherers or farmers. “Creating these life histories,” he says, “is one of the most important things I do to share the experiences that past peoples faced.” He hopes for funding to acquire new equipment for the lab and reference materials to further refine analyses.

Archaeological field technician Steve Needle has his sights set on the mysteries of Chacoan architecture—and solving them can get high-tech.

Needle envisions developing an interactive archaeological map using powerful software to create a layered repository of diverse data—what Needle describes as a sort of “digital cake.” The project will gather the disparate data in one place, and by zooming in and out from the map, Needle will have access to the information he needs to better visualize, explore and analyze related archaeological information. But without funding for this groundbreaking research, data collection and analysis, and licensing and training on this new software, Chaco’s architectural mysteries will remain.

“We are engaged in truly pioneering work, with local and global applications,” says John Taylor-Montoya, executive director of OAS. “That work would not be possible without private support through the Museum of New Mexico Foundation. Thank you for helping us uncover New
Mexico’s rich heritage.”

This article and images are from the Museum of New Mexico Foundation’s Member News Magazine.