Laboratory of Environmental Archaeology
The Laboratory of Environmental Archaeology is a multidisciplinary core facility dedicated to high-quality analytical services, equipment access, training, and laboratory support for academic, governmental, and industry users. Specialty services include physical, geochemical, and microbotanical characterization of archaeological and environmental materials and near-surface geophysical data collection. Specialized equipment includes a laser diffraction particle size analyzer, portable X-ray florescence spectrometer, and ground penetrating radar system. We also offer phytolith extraction and analysis from sediments or artifacts. An APHIS inspected facility authorized to receive foreign and domestic soil, LEA can receive and analyze samples from around the world.
Housed within the university’s McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture, LEA provides a practical institutional mechanism for faculty collaboration, student experiential learning, and continuing education. LEA fulfills a unique role for researchers, students, and private companies by providing guidance and support to a variety of disciplines including archaeology, geoarchaeology, historical ecology, engineering, soil and agricultural sciences, environmental sciences, geology, geomorphology, and botany.
Contact information
The LEA Core Facility is located at the McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture.
Please direct any questions regarding LEA services, service costs, requests for training, or scheduling to:
Alison Damick
Manager of Laboratory of Environmental Archaeology, Associate Curator of Environmental Archaeology
Services and equipment
- Soil and Materials Processing
- PSA (assisted/unassisted)
- PXRF (assisted/unassisted)
- LOI (assisted/unassisted)
- Microbot
- Extractions
- Phytoliths/Starch from Sediments (assisted/unassisted)
- Phytolith/Starch washes from Artifacts (assisted/unassisted)
- Extraction and Quantification
- Phytoliths/Starch from Sediments (assisted/unassisted)
- Phytolith/Starch washes from Artifacts (assisted/unassisted)
- Reporting
- Standard
- Interpretive
- Staff Time
- Daily Field Rate Sr/Jr
- Hourly Lab Rate Sr/Jr
- Leica DM6 Microscope Time
- Geophysical and Geospatial Survey
- GPR Day Rental
- GSSI
- Proceq
- Total Station Day Rental
- Trimble Day Rental
- GPR Day Rental
- Software
- One Month Access to Radan
- One month access to Insights/Slice (weekly vs monthly?)
2026 Service rates
Rates listed as Internal / Academic / External.
Service 1: Soil & Material Processing – PSA
Internal: $36 · Academic: $56 · External: $72
Service 2: Soil & Material Processing – pXRF
Internal: $21 · Academic: $33 · External: $46
Service 3: Soil & Material Processing – LOI
Internal: $16 · Academic: $25 · External: $26
Service 4: Microbot – Phytoliths Sediments extraction only
Internal: $75 · Academic: $132 · External: $180
Service 5: Microbot – Phytoliths and Starches Artifacts extraction only
Internal: $75 · Academic: $132 · External: $180
Service 6: Microbot – Phytoliths Sediments extraction & quantification
Internal: $101 · Academic: $180 · External: $242
Service 7: Microbot – Phytoliths and Starches Artifacts extraction & quantification
Internal: $101 · Academic: $180 · External: $242
Service 8: Analytical Report – Standard
Internal: $742 · Academic: $1,140 · External: $1,545
Service 9: Analytical Report – Interpretive
Internal: $1,030 · Academic: $1,582 · External: $2,060
Service 10: Staff Time – Senior Staff daily
Internal: $155 · Academic: $238 · External: $360
Service 11: Staff Time – Junior Staff daily
Internal: $77 · Academic: $119 · External: $155
Service 12: Staff Time – Senior Staff hourly
Internal: $77 · Academic: $119 · External: $134
Service 13: Staff Time – Junior Staff hourly
Internal: $41 · Academic: $63 · External: $77
Service 14: Student Worker hourly
Internal: $11 · Academic: $17 · External: $22
Service 15: Leica DM6 Microscope
Internal: $16 · Academic: $26 · External: $52
Service 16: Geophysical & Geospatial Survey – GPR GSSI
Internal: $72 · Academic: $111 · External: $124
Service 17: Geophysical & Geospatial Survey – GPR Proceq
Internal: $155 · Academic: $360 · External: $515
Service 18: Geophysical & Geospatial Survey – Total Station
Internal: $31 · Academic: $62 · External: $78
Service 19: Geophysical & Geospatial Survey – Total Station
Internal: $29 · Academic: $52 · External: $72
Service 20: Software Access – Radan
Internal: $25 · Academic: $38.50 · External: $63
Service 21: Software Access – Insights
Internal: $30 · Academic: $46.50 · External: $75