The Center for Public Archaeology at CSU Northridge is an archaeological research facility closely associated with the department and was created to meet several needs. Those needs include student training in archaeology, advancement of research in California archaeology, and consulting with public and private agencies in meeting regulatory requirements related to archaeological resources. The California State University, Northridge, sanctions all of our projects. Fiscal operations are conducted through the University, and the University's insurance provisions cover all project personnel.

Back to top

Besides conducting research and training students in field and laboratory method, the Center also occupies a facility dedicated to archaeological research and offers a wide range of field and lab services for government and private agencies including the following services:

• Consultation and advisement for meeting regulatory mandates related to archaeological resources
  
• Conducting Phase 1 archaeological surveys (reconnaissance-level)
  
• Conducting Phase 2 archaeological testing
  
• Conducting Phase 3 archaeological data recovery excavations and studies
  
• Monitoring construction projects
  
• Preparing archaeological documentation for environmental impact studies

The Center owns an extensive inventory of lab and field gear, and the California State University, Northridge, sanctions all projects. In addition, fiscal operations are conducted through the University, and the University's insurance provisions cover all project personnel.

Back to top

The staff at the Center for Public Archaeology has experience with many types of specialized analyses as well as projects that range from short-term resource surveys, to multi-year interdisciplinary project and includes the following:

• Archaeological resource surveys
  
• Archaeological excavations
  
• Archaeological monitoring of construction projects
  
• Environmental impact statements
  
• Computer database management
  
• Zooarchaeological research

Clients
In addition to numerous private companies and individuals Center clients also include:

• U.S. Forest ServiceU.S. Army Corps of Engineers
  
• U.S. Navy
  
• National Park Service
  
• California Department of Parks and Recreation
  
• California Division of Forestry
  
• State Department of Water Resources
  
• California Department of Corrections
  
• Los Angeles County and Ventura County

Other Projects
Center staff is involved in many long-term research projects including the study of maritime prehistory of the California Channel Islands as well as excavations in Baja California, Mexico and at the La Venta Olmec site in Tabasco, Mexico.

Back to top