Labs

Archaeology Collection and Teaching Lab  

Used to teach archaeology courses and labs, as well as public workshops engaging folks in archaeology. See the collections webpage for more details.

• Houses teaching cast material of Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Plains, Eastern woodland, and Arctic stone and bone tools (casts and replicas)
• Also contains archaeological materials from across North America, Central America, and South America
• Artifacts include stone tools, ceramic figurines, whistles, antler tools, and a microwear reference collection
• Experimental stone tools with associated video and documentation

Archaeology Preparation Lab

For curation and preparation of collection materials in the archaeology collection. Students can get involved by volunteering and gaining experience and skills in collection curation.

• Curation materials storage
• Database management for collections

Archaeology Wet Lab (Dirt Lab)

Where archaeological site soil is processed and the artifacts are cleaned, sorted, bagged, and labelled so they are ready to be analyzed.

• Wet lab and drying space
• Temporary storage for field samples
• Workspace for analyzing field samples and artifacts
• Sieves, graduated cylinders, microscopes, scales

Bio-Anthropology Teaching Lab

For teaching courses and labs such as Osteology, Biological, Forensic, and Dental Anthropology, as well as public workshops engaging folks in all aspects of biological anthropology:

• Osteological equipment: osteometric boards, calipers, mandibulometer, anthropometers, tapes, magnifying lights and glasses, X-ray light table

Bio-Anthropology Preparation Lab

A space for curation and preparation of anthropology collection materials. Students can get involved by volunteering and gaining experience and skills in collection curation:

• Curation materials storage
• Database management for collections

Bioarchaeology Lab (Containment Level 2)

Chemical and biohazard labs meant for higher risk activities, such as macerating or thin sectioning of animal/human tissues, tissue preparation for transportation to other labs, and international or contaminated soil and plant analysis.

• Biosafety cabinet
• Fume hood
• Thin sectioning set up for hard tissues
• Large boiling pot and exhaust vent for tissue maceration
• Drying oven and muffle furnace
• Dissecting supplies and necropsy table
• Basic laboratory equipment like centrifuges, pipettes, and microscopes

Computational Archaeology and Lithic Technology Lab

A space to analyze lithic technology using microscopy and computer algorithms

• Microscopes
• Computers

Digital Imaging Lab

A space for students to visualize anthropological materials in a variety of ways

• Digital, Light, and Compound Microscopes
• 3D laser scanner, modelling programs, and printer
• Flatbed scanners for film and x-rays

Digital Photography Lab (Collections)

A space to photograph collection materials, outfitted with studio equipment essentials

• Cameras, light boxes, light tables, backdrops
• Video and photo editing programs

Film and Print Development Lab

For developing film and prints from film

• Dark room with safelights
• Sink, film tanks, processing trays, tongs, and drying trays
• Duplicator, enlargers, and timers

Palaeo-environmental Collection and Lab

See collections webpage for more details. Lab is not accessible to students, but resources such as macrobotanicals and literature on paleoenvironmental analytical methods are.

Undergraduate Research Space

Coming soon! A space for honours seminar students to gather and discuss ideas, work on their papers, run statistics, and practice presentations.

• Meeting table, whiteboard, projector and screen
• Individual workstations and casual discussion area

Zooarchaeology Reference Collection and Teaching Lab

Used to teach zooarchaeology labs, as well as public workshops engaging folks in zooarchaeology. Students can get involved by volunteering. See the collections webpage for more details.

•  Houses modern animal skeletal specimens from Alberta and the Arctic
• Also contains some archaeological faunal material