Services

Archaeology

The Center for Anthropological Services offers complete archaeological project services, including literature searches, Phase I survey, Phase II evaluation, Phase III data recovery, and construction monitoring, from proposal development to completion of project deliverables.

The Center also offers a wide range of field and laboratory support services to complement your organization's capabilities including site mapping, GIS services, artifact analysis, cataloging and preparation of collections for curation. 

HUCAS archaeologists have more than 50 years of combined experience on projects throughout North America and meet the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards for Archaeology.

Contact us at hucas@hamline.edu or 651-666-8373 to discuss your project needs.

Osteology

HUCAS has experts in osteological identification and analysis who can provide biological profiles for individual or commingled human remains. In addition, we can conduct bone chemistry analyses for geographic origin, residential history, and dietary reconstruction. 

We are able to identify bone as human or non-human for your agency. 

Many bones can be identified through photographs and video. Contact us at hucas@hamline.edu or 612-434-5783. 

If the bone is not identifiable through a photograph or video, you can transfer the material to us for identification. 

Transfer Procedure: 

We request that you contact us in advance (hucas@hamline.edu or 612-434-5783) and include any relevant information either in the container with the bone to be identified, or electronically in advance of drop-off. Depending on the situation, you may be asked to fill out and return a form for our records. Please park in Parking Lot E. An employee can meet you there to receive the material. 

Burial Assessment and Recovery

Our staff is experienced in performing burial assessments to determine the presence of burial grounds and prevent disturbance or displacement of human remains. In the event of inadvertent disturbance of burials, HUCAS staff has experience in the respectful recovery of human remains in order to facilitate reburial. 

Within the past decade, HUCAS has performed numerous recoveries of displaced human burials in locations throughout Minnesota. These include multi-year efforts as well as smaller-scale recoveries. We work in close consultation with the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, the Minnesota Office of the State Archaeologist, and descendant communities.

Education

As part of Hamline University, the Center for Anthropological Services provides support for many of the anthropological and archaeological methods courses offered by the Department of Humans, Climate and the Environment, including an annual field school (ANTH 3730).

The Center is also able to provide specialized instruction to expand your organization's skill set, including artifact and skeletal identification. Contact us at hucas@hamline.edu or 651-666-8373 to discuss your training goals.