Cultural Landscapes Survey Program

Since 2020, the Society has placed an emphasis on developing our own research capabilities. Our cultural Landscapes Survey Program is working to expand the concept of the archaeological site to include the landscape that surrounds it and to join it with the day and night sky. The Society has a strong and enduring interest in developing and deploying guidance on the use of new technology, such as photogrammetry and LiDAR, to add standardized landscape orientation, architectural feature and horizon data to archeological site documentation form packages and reports.  Our ambition is to create a documentation tool and database of simple observational features across the breadth of Greater American Southwest cultural sites. These tools will help to focus future research by emphasizing such attributes. Participation by Native American and Indigenous peoples is key in the study of these sites and the correct interpretation of traditional knowledge and sciences.