Museum Description :The Antonio J. Waring, Jr. Archaeological Laboratory is a research facility dedicated to the scholarly pursuit of knowledge about past cultures within Georgia and nearby areas. The laboratory supports the archaeological research and instructional activities of the faculty in the Department of Anthropology and is a resource for visiting scholars from across the United States. The Waring Laboratory serves as a repository for the university’s research collections, for those from state and federal agencies with responsibilities for archaeological resour .. View More >>
Museum Description :The Antonio J. Waring, Jr. Archaeological Laboratory is a research facility dedicated to the scholarly pursuit of knowledge about past cultures within Georgia and nearby areas. The laboratory supports the archaeological research and instructional activities of the faculty in the Department of Anthropology and is a resource for visiting scholars from across the United States. The Waring Laboratory serves as a repository for the university’s research collections, for those from state and federal agencies with responsibilities for archaeological resources management, and for collections resulting from the compliance research projects undertaken by private archaeological firms. The laboratory provides unique learning and directed-research opportunities for students at the University of West Georgia, as well as educational outreach programs within the local community.The Waring Laboratory is one of the few facilities of its type in Georgia specifically designed to meet both academic needs and federal standards (36 CFR 79) for the curation of archaeological collections. The two-level (~10,000 square feet) structure is climate controlled, and both temperature and humidity are maintained at appropriate levels within its curation range.Access to the laboratory is monitored by a zoned security system with integrated intruder, motion, smoke, and water sensors that are directly connected to the University’s Public Safety Office. The largest part of the Waring Laboratory is dedicated to the curation of archaeological collections. This 50′ by 75′ area contains two levels of curation shelving, providing space for 7,244 cubic feet of archaeological materials. Existing collections, representing artifacts and their associated records from hundreds of prehistoric and historic archaeological sites, occupy 5,802 cubic feet of this shelf space. A 1,250 square-foot research area in the laboratory is maintained for the short-term and longer research projects of faculty, students, and visiting scholars. This dedicated space contains a specialized library and maps, computer stations, photography and microscope stations, drafting and digitizing tables, along with other resources that support research use of the collections.Brad Peacock talks with guests at the 2014 Waring Archaeology Month Open House.The interwoven research, teaching, and service activities of the Waring Archaeological Laboratory reflect the university’s commitment to academic excellence and cooperation with other interest groups. Its embedded commitment to faculty-directed undergraduate research makes the University of West Georgia the ideal academic environment for the Waring Laboratory. While serving the important research and instructional agenda of the university’s faculty and students, it also serves the needs of others with interests in and a critical responsibility for protecting Georgia’s archaeological past. Long-term agreements with state and federal agencies as well as with private sector companies, allows Georgia archaeological materials to be curated in state at minimal costs and without duplication of effort. Collections research carried out by students and professional archaeologists, from within and beyond the walls of the university, serves not only their specialized interests but also contributes to the advancement of general knowledge about Georgia’s rich cultural heritage.The Antonio J. Waring, Jr. Archaeological Laboratory and its related activities have had the pleasure of serving multiple constituents since the early 1970s. Today the Waring Laboratory strives to enhance its contributions to Georgia’s academic, governmental, private sector, and public archaeological community.
Museum Admission :$5 Per One
Museum Program :The Waring Laboratory has began to integrate an interpretation component to the Education Outreach Program. These projects range from traveling exhibits to smaller interpretive displays.Two Archaeological Teaching TrunksA Guided Tour of the LaboratoryAn On-Site Mock Excavation PitExhibitsTeaching Trunks : The Waring Laboratory’s Traveling Teaching Trunks are created with STEM concepts in mind. The trunks are available to teach Science and Social Studies using basic archaeological concepts with fun hands-on activities correlating with the Common Core Georgia Performance Standards (CCGPS). Each trunk contains real and replica artifacts, an educator’s guide, a student handbook, vocabulary, an assessment worksheet, a jacket and a hat to play the part of an archaeologist, and a visual aide. Cost is $15 for each 2-week period. The Trunks cannot be shipped at this time.The “What is Archaeology?” trunk is ideal for grades 3-6. to develop a basic understanding of archaeology and how archaeologists uncover the diverse cultures of our past. Although the trunk is intended for social studies and science in grades 3rd- 6th, it can be easily modified to meet the needs of older students and other subject areas. It is not necessary to know anything about archaeology when working with the activities. The lessons are taught with a narrative (script) through the ‘trained’ eyes of an archaeologist, “Dr. Trowel” in three units:Unit 1 (What is Archaeology?) – Learn the tools of the trade, how to identify what an artifact is, and be able to divide artifacts into historic and pre-contact periods.Unit 2 (What is Culture?) - Introduces cultural concepts and how archaeologists draw conclusions about people based on artifacts.Unit 3 (Preservation and Conservation) - Teaches students the important role archaeology plays in preserving information about the past for the future. Students will learn vocabulary associated with looting, explore their values about conservation issues, be introduced to current archaeological laws, and how they can participate in the protection of archaeological sites and artifacts.The “Journey through Georgia’s Archaeological Timeline” trunk is currently under construction (October 14, 2014) and will be ideal for grades 5-8. Through this trunk, students will be able to explore important cultural time periods in Georgia’s rich history through hands-on activities with artifacts dating from native American prehistory, through the Revolutionary and Civil War, up to the modern day.Guided Tour : A free thirty-minute tour of the Waring Laboratory includes an introduction to different types of archaeology, opportunities to view and handle select artifacts from the collection, explanation of details about curation and safety regulations, and archaeological games. Tours can be tailored to meet specific educational needs or interests. The tour is appropriate for all ages. Advanced reservation required with a 50-person limit.On-Site Mock Excavation : A 1 1/2-hour mock excavation adventure offers hands-on exploration experience for budding and amateur archaeologists. Excavators receive an introduction to archaeological field work concepts, including layout of a grid, record keeping, documentation, and conservation of archaeological sites in addition to the fun of excavating a prepared site. It is recommended that a teaching trunk be checked out before the mock excavation so the students can learn basic archaeology concepts. For grades 3 and up with advance registration.$5 per digger (teachers and drivers are free).15-digger limit. << View Less