Facilities and Labs | SUNY Oswego

Several specialized facilities are available to support both research and teaching. These facilities provide unique experiences and practical training for students in Oswego's Anthropology program.

These facilities include:

An indoor DIG LAB (unique among the SUNYs) for practical excavation training.
An outdoor experimental field station for forensic and archaeology.
An Osteology Teaching Laboratory
An Archaeology Teaching Laboratory
Biological and Forensic Anthropology, Paleoanthropology, and Archaeology Research Labs

Students learning how to uncover artifacts in the indoor dig lab

Indoor Archaeology Dig Lab

Located in the basement of Mahar Hall, the Archaeology Dig Lab provides a unique opportunity for students to experience excavating and recording archaeological features and retrieving artifacts for class analysis. The Dig Lab is used by Archaeology and Biological Anthropology faculty to conduct experimental excavations in classes on Introductory Archaeology and Forensic Anthropology.

The facility includes a dig platform with four distinct archaeological units filled with dirt for artificial site and feature creation and dig simulations. Cabinets with standard archaeological dig equipment, a sink, and a flotation machine for soil processing are also located in the lab and used during class digs.

Mapping an artifact in 3d space during excavation

Cleaning off a feature during excavation

Students and their professor setting up an outdoor dig site

Outdoor Experimental Archaeology Research Site

The Outdoor Experimental Archaeology Research Site sits on the western edge of campus and allows for faculty and student experimental projects outdoors. These projects may include surface taphonomy experiments, burials, experimental digs, and more.

Bone specimens in the Osteology Teaching lab

Osteology Teaching Laboratory

The Osteology Teaching Laboratory, located in Mahar 307, provides an intimate teaching facility for 20 or less students for hands-on courses such as Biological Anthropology (ANT280), Forensic Anthropology (ANT354), Advance Forensic Anthropology (ANT454), Osteology (ANT451) and more. This classroom houses an extensive collection of human, hominid, and primate casts and skeletal material as well as faunal and pathological specimens.

This area is equipped with osteometric instruments, two computers with FORDISC, ten iPads, as well as reference manuals available to faculty and students.

A student witting at a table next to a human skull

Archaeology Teaching Laboratory

The Archaeology Teaching Laboratory supports both faculty and independent student research projects and provides hands on opportunities for student training on artifact analyses and curation. The facility consists of a research laboratory with a sink and associated drying and analyzing equipment.

Artifact Analysis in Class — Artifact Analysis in the Introductory Archaeology Class

Drawing Profiles in Archaeology Lab — Learning how to draw profiles in the Archaeology lab classroom

Learning how to map plan views in excavation — Learning how to draw plan maps during excavation in the Archaeology lab classroom

Flow Blue Transferware and NY Stoneware Analysis in Archaeology lab classroom

Forensic Anthropology Lab

The Forensic Anthropology Laboratory supports faculty and independent student research projects as well as opportunities for hands-on student activities. The facility consists of a large research laboratory with tables, lamps, and storage areas, an adjoining wet room, and secure office/evidence room. Located in the basement of Mahar Hall, the research laboratory is fully equipped for student research projects in osteology, taphonomy, trauma, forensic processing, as well as osteological and forensic casework.

Equipment includes osteometric instruments, microscopes, computers, a fume hood, and sink, and is complemented by comparative collections of human, faunal, and pathological specimens.

Forensic Anthropology Class Analysis — Forensic Anthropology class analysis

Office

Anthropology Department
313 Mahar Hall

Contact

Phone: 315.312.4190
Email: [email protected]