The Office of the State Archaeologist is accepting PAAC applications again! Fill out an online PAAC Candidate Application form to join our program and start learning about Colorado archaeology below! 

Class Details & Registration

CAS Seminar Lecture

Local CAS Seminar Lectures CAS Seminar Lecture 0.5 credit hours	Attend a CAS seminar lecture and receive PAAC credit! To learn more about upcoming CAS seminar lectures in your area, visit the Colorado Archaeological Society or connect with your Local PAAC Coordinator.
Receive Credit: Fill out a CAS Seminar Lecture form! Note: To receive credit for attending a CAS seminar lecture, participants must submit the CAS Seminar Lecture form online within two weeks of the date of the lecture.

State & National Register Nomination Workshop

State & National Register Nomination Workshop Weekend Workshop 2-4 credit hours	This weekend workshop will walk participants through the process of preparing nominations for the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties and the National Register of Historic Places. On day one, participants will learn about the State and National Registers, how to evaluate the eligibility of archaeological resources for nomination, and will practice their new skills hands-on with a mock-archaeological site and learn how to write up parts of a nomination. On day two, participants can bring their own nominations for one-on-one assistance with our National and State Register Historians and Assistant State Archaeologist. This course is being offered in collaboration with the Colorado State Historic Preservation Office.
Date & Time TBA Instructors: Eric Newcombe, National and State Register Historian, State Historic Preservation Office  *Please note: In-person participation will be limited to the first 12 registrants.
Registration will open in the fall.

Site Stewardship Workshop

Site Stewardship Workshop Weekend Workshop 2-4 credit hours	This weekend workshop provides an introduction to archaeological advocacy through site stewardship. One day one, participants will learn about the principal mission of preservation and primary activities of a site steward including the observation, documentation and reporting of the condition of cultural resources in Colorado. On day two, participants will have the option to join us in the field and practice stewardship hands-on! This course is being offered in collaboration with South Park Site Stewards and Douglas County, CO.
Day 1: Hybrid: In-Person* at History Colorado (Denver) & offered synchronously online Saturday, September 7 & Time TBD Day 2: In-Person* only Sunday, September 8 & Time TBD Instructors: Sarah Allaun, Assistant State Archaeologist - Office of the State Archaeologist, Beth Parisi - South Park Site Stewards & Brittany Cassell - Douglas County, CO. *In-person participation may be limited.
Registration will open in August.

Past Class Offerings

Below is a list of past class offerings. Course bibliographies and materials may be available for some listed classes. 

Archaeological Dating Methods

Archaeological Dating Methods Relative and absolute dating techniques, sample collection, preservation and care of datable material.

Archaeological Laboratory Techniques

Archaeological Laboratory Techniques Overview of the purpose of an archaeological laboratory and the processing sequence for artifacts and other collected materials through a laboratory including receiving, sorting, routing, cleaning, cataloging, conservation, analysis, reporting and storage. 

Archaeological Practice in Colorado

Archaeological Practice in Colorado Basic summary of the field of archaeology, common terminology, and Colorado's place in North American prehistory. Also describes the PAAC program in detail, the functions of the Colorado Archaeological Society (CAS) including interactions with the Office of the State Archaeologist of Colorado. State & federal laws protecting archaeological resources and codes-of-ethics also are covered. 

Basic Site Surveying Techniques

Basic Site Surveying Techniques History of archaeological survey, site identification, formation processes, survey methods, recording procedures, basic equipment usage, reading USGS topographic maps, goals and problems of archaeological survey. A field trip to identify and record a site. Curation of archaeological remains and necessity for final reports. 

Colorado Archaeology

Colorado Archaeology Covers the major periods and cultures of Colorado's prehistory, concluding with a brief summary of historic period American Indian groups in Colorado. 

Geophysical Survey and Remote Sensing 

Geophysical Survey and Remote Sensing Geophysical Survey and Remote Sensing Techniques introduces students to the use of these technologies in archaeology. This course discusses the methods, theories, and applicability of geophysical survey and remote sensing techniques to archaeology.

Historical Archaeology

Historical Archaeology Importance of historical archaeology, types of sites, sources of historical information, key historic artifacts, Colorado history vs. archaeology.

Local PAAC Seminar Program

Local PAAC Seminar Program The intent of the seminar program is to provide additional education opportunities that are not presently available with the current demand for PAAC training. The seminar program offers individual CAS chapters and other local organizations the opportunity to tap the knowledge of their members as well as non-member specialists. Subjects suitable as seminar topics are numerous but must be applicable to the needs and general intent of PAAC.

Perishable Materials

Perishable Materials Value of perishable materials, information on preservation, varieties of materials, tool classes. 

Prehistoric Ceramic Description and Analysis

Prehistoric Ceramic Description and Analysis Ceramic technology, methods of manufacture, physical/stylistic analyses, and basic Colorado ceramic characteristics. 

Prehistoric Lithic Description and Analysis

Prehistoric Lithic Description and Analysis Stone tool technology, methods of manufacture, morphological/functional analyses, and common tool classes in Colorado. 

Principles of Archaeological Excavation

Principles of Archaeological Excavation Covers the history of excavation in archaeology, developments in excavation techniques, importance of planning and research designs, field procedures, recording & documentation, lab duties and report writing responsibilities. A classroom experience, this course does not involve actual field training. 

Research Design and Report Writing

Research Design and Report Writing Importance of archaeological research designs and reports, essential elements of research design, and guidelines for archaeological reports. 

Rock Art Studies

Rock Art Studies History of Colorado research, terminology, recording and conservation methods, ethics, interpretive approaches, dating methods and overview of styles found in Colorado. 

Summer Training Survey

Summer Training Survey Each year the Office of the State Archaeologist of Colorado (OSAC) sponsors an archaeological inventory ("survey"), typically during the June-August period. The survey provides field training in surveying techniques for PAAC volunteers.

Explore the website to learn about PAAC!