SAU Research Station - Arkansas Archeological Survey

• General Information
• What Do We Do?
• Station Staff
• Station Location
• Station History
• Press & Media
• Classes

• Current Projects
• Grandview Prairie
• Gateway Texarkana
• Crenshaw Isotopes
• Sulfur Fork Factory
• Van Winkle's Mill

• Important Past Projects
• Crenshaw Mounds
• Cedar Grove
• Old Washington
• Shallow Lake
• Ferguson

• Other AAS Stations

What Do We Do?

The Arkansas Archeological Survey's mission is to study and protect archeological sites in Arkansas, to preserve and manage information about those sites, and to communicate what we learn to the public. The Southern Arkansas University Research Station is but one of eleven research stations located across the state--eight at state universities, two at Arkansas state parks and one in cooperation with the community of Blytheville. The Arkansas Archeological Survey is a unit of the University of Arkansas System.

Below are outlined some of the ways we at the SAU Research Station meet our mission goals.

Research

Much of our current fieldwork, research, and writing focuses on historical archeology in southwestern Arkansas and our continuing work on the archaeology of the Caddoan and pre-Caddoan cultures who lived in the areas around southwest Arkansas, northeast Texas, northwest Louisiana, and southeast Oklahoma. You can learn more about our current and past research projects by following the links on the navigation bar to the left.

SAU Museum

We are currently helping to develop a museum interpreting the history and archeology of southwestern Arkansas that will serve Southern Arkansas University and the entire region. The facility, currently in the planning stages, will be in the Bruce Center on the SAU campus and will include exhibit space, a conservation laboratory and curational facility. Look for more information and news to come.

Teaching

Dr. Brandon teaches at SAU in the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences--two courses in the spring semester, an archeological field school during occasional summer semesters, and occasional independent studies geared to student interests.

Spring 2007 Courses:

General Anthropology (SOC 1003): An introduction to anthropology, the study of culture and man in all times and all places. Major topics are the concept of culture and various aspects of culture such as language, social organization, economy, technology, and religion as they appear in traditional and modern societies.

Anthropology of North American Indians (SOC 3143/HIST 3143): The archeology, ethnology, and history of North American Indians from the time of their arrival on this continent to the present century.

Public Archeology

We serve as the local archeologists for the 11 counties in southwest Arkansas, giving talks to school children and civic groups, creating exhibits about Arkansas archeology, and helping people to preserve sites on their property.

Arkansas Archeological Society

The SAU Research Station also plays host to the local chapter of the Arkansas Archeological Society--open to anybody interested in protecting, preserving and studying Arkansas' historic heritage. The Kadohadacho Chapter meets monthly (except June-August) on the second Tuesday evening in Bruce Center Room 104 on the SAU campus. Contact us at jbrando@uark.edu, (870)235-4229 or drjeane@saumag.edu, (870)235-4230 for more information. Go here to find out more about the Arkansas Archeological Society in general.