The objectives of this Society shall be:
- to promote and to stimulate interest and research in the archaeology of the American continents;
- to advocate and to aid in the conservation of archaeological resources;
- to encourage public access to and appreciation of the aims, accomplishments, and limitations of archaeological research;
- to serve as a bond among those interested in American archaeology, both professionals and nonprofessionals, and to aid in directing their efforts into scientific channels;
- to publish and to encourage the publication of archaeological research;
- to foster the formation and welfare of regional and local archaeological societies;
- to discourage commercialism in archaeology and to work for its elimination;
- to support training in the field of archaeology;
- to operate exclusively for scientific and educational purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code;
- to promote discussion and education about the ethical practice of archaeology; and
- to engage in any and all lawful activities incidental to the foregoing purposes.
In pursuit of its objectives, the Society shall promote and support legislative, regulatory, and voluntary programs that encourage ethical access to archaeological knowledge, sites, and artifacts, and shall discourage activities that result in the unnecessary loss of the same. Such activities include, but are not limited to, irresponsible excavation, collecting, hoarding, exchanging, buying, or selling archaeological materials. Conduct resulting in such losses is contrary to the ideals and objectives of the Society.