Society for American Archaeology launches Archaeology for the Public Web Pages

The Society for American Archaeology (SAA), with the assistance of a grant from the U.S. Dept of Interior Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), has created a set of web pages on Archaeology for the Public www.saa.org/public.

The project was coordinated by members of the SAA Public Education Committee Web Page Working Group. These new pages will form a major point of contact between the discipline of archaeology and diverse audiences. Archaeology for the Public is designed to interest and inform a wide variety of audiences about archaeology including students, educators, avocational archaeologists, the media, policymakers, heritage tourists, and descendant communities. The web pages also provide important resources for rofessional archaeologists seeking resources to use in their public education efforts. With links to other internet archaeology sites, the new web pages will serve as a major portal for individuals in search of information.

Archaeology for the Public is extensive in scope and unique in its content and purpose. The web pages are fully annotated and are thematically organized and cross-indexed under 31 primary and secondary readings. Among the topics are Currents New and Events, State and National Resources, Archaeology Month, Partnerships, Law and Ethics, Cultural Resources Reporting for the Public, Field and Lab Opportunities, and Educational Resources. Brochures, “How-To” Guides, and Fact Sheets have been included as downloadable PDF files. The content is field-tested and assessed for public friendliness and has been subject to a rigorous peer review process. The SAA Archaeology for the Public web pages will continue to grow as new resources become available.

SAA is an international organization dedicated to the research, interpretation, and protection of the archaeological heritage of the Americas. With more than 7,000 members, the SAA represents professional, student, and avocational archaeologists working in a variety of settings including government agencies, colleges and universities, museums and the private sector. The Bureau of Reclamation Cultural Resources Management (CRM) program (www.usbr.gov/cultural) protects archaeological sites, historic buildings and structures, landscapes, and objects found on Reclamation lands for future generations to enjoy.