Past Events

Joel Dukes, RPA, USDI National Park Service, Northeast Archeological Resources
Program

Joel Dukes has been an archaeologist with the National Park Service Northeast Archaeological Resources Program based out of Lowell, Massachusetts since 2008. Prior to that he was an archaeologist for the US Forest Service for eight years. As a regional NPS archaeologist he serves as an archaeological advisor for several parks including the Appalachian Trail, Statue of Liberty and Minute Man National Historical Park. Joel has an interest in exploring new archaeological methods for investigating and interpreting battlefields and has led and participated in projects at battlefield parks including Gettysburg, Appomattox, Minute Man, and Saratoga. Mr. Dukes holds an M.A. in Anthropology/Archaeology from the University of Georgia (1993). He is an Advanced Metal Detecting for the Archaeologist instructor and has also served as a Scientific Recovery Expert with the Defense Department POW/MIA Accounting Agency.

Joseph Balicki, RPA, Archeological Consultant

Joseph Balicki is an instructor for Advanced Metal Detecting for the Archaeologist and is a graduate of the Catholic University of America (MA). During his career in Cultural Resource Management, the Archeology of Military sites was one of his primary areas of expertise, and he is proficient in conducting KOCOA analysis, primary research, and metal detector surveys on military archeological sites ranging from fortifications, battlefields, winter quarters, and cantonments to front-line temporary bivouacs. His 2011 article “The Watch-Fires of a Hundred Circling Camps: Theoretical and Practical Approaches to Investigating Civil War Campsites” conclusively demonstrated that, at present, metal detection is the most effective method for identifying and examining military sites. He is a strong advocate for the inclusion of realistic metal detection methodologies on all historic sites as these collection strategies will result in a different data set than traditional field methods. Current research interests include conflict theory and best practices for effective metal detection by archaeologists. 

In this seminar, participants will be introduced to the applications, efficacy, and best practices of metal detection in archaeological contexts. Participants will learn the basics of survey methods, detector techniques, data management, and general machine settings. The role of crew experience, metal detector quality, environmental conditions, and appropriate level of effort will be covered. Several case studies that were successful in defining archaeological sites will be discussed.

1). Introduce participants to when a metal detecting investigation is appropriate.
2). Participants will be introduced to a variety of metal detection survey methods and ways to improve performance.
2). Participants will learn the role that experience, quality metal detectors, environmental conditions, and appropriate time devoted to a project have on metal detecting investigations.

To be announced.

Join SAA and ACRA to learn about career options in archaeology and heritage management! Attendees will be able to pick two career paths they want to learn more about and talk to professionals in the field. If you are not an SAA member but are an ACRA member, please head over to the ACRA website to sign up for the event.

• Each breakout room will be capped at 40 people per room.
• Registrants will receive a confirmation email immediately, an email with log in information about one week before the event, and a reminder email the day before. If you do not receive the automated confirmation email, please double-check that you have completed registration.
• This event is FREE to ACRA and SAA members and not available to non-members.

Sarah E Miller, RPA, Florida Public Archaeology Network, Flagler College

Since 2006 Sarah E. Miller has worked for the Florida Public Archaeology Network as Director of the Northeast and East Central Regions. During that time, she developed the Cemetery Resource Protection Training (CRPT) and Heritage Monitoring Scout (HMS Florida) programs. She is a graduate of Cornell College (BA), East Carolina University (MA), and is currently pursuing her PhD in Historic Preservation at the University of Florida. She has served the Society for Historical Archaeology for 10 years as a board member and current Secretary. She is inaugural chair of the Heritage at Risk Committee (HARC) for SHA, as well as on the Climate Change Response and Strategies committee for SAA. Her research interests include public archaeology, community engagement, historic cemeteries, climate heritage, advocacy and preservation.

Rising temperatures, sea level, and number of storms cause an increase in hurricanes, floods, fires, earthquakes, and erosion events that all impact heritage sites around the world. Archaeologists are well poised to respond to the crisis by engaging local communities, working with local governments, participating in transdisciplinary research, and advocating for climate heritage policy. This seminar will discuss heritage at risk as a specialization, climate heritage communities, and various research networks. The workshop will provide case studies from several countries, an overview of research questions employed in current climate heritage research and encourage you to join the heritage at risk effort where you work and live.

After this seminar, participants will be able to:
1) Identify threats to heritage sites that are increasing due to storm intensification and climate conditions
2) Learn about different research approaches to heritage at risk
3) Consider different engagement approaches to assist or respond to communities in need
4) Join committees and research networks to support further development of climate heritage interests

Sergio Bernardes, PhD, Center for Geospatial Research, University of Georgia

Sergio Bernardes is the Associate Director for the Center for Geospatial Research and an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Georgia. He holds a PhD in Geography, a MS in Remote Sensing and a BS in Agriculture Engineering. Since 1989, Dr. Bernardes has worked at the forefront of geospatial applications and software development, with expertise spanning geography, software engineering, and the implementation of large-scale geospatial projects for government, industry, and academia. An FAA-certified remote pilot, he has been pioneering the use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for remote sensing since 2013. He contributes to digital humanities and cultural heritage preservation through digital documentation, 3D reconstruction, and visualization of sites and objects of historical significance.

Discover how cutting-edge technologies including drones, photogrammetry, and remote sensing are revolutionizing historical preservation in this two-hour seminar. In the first hour, you’ll learn about the principles of photogrammetry, common workflows for 3D reconstruction, and explore case studies showcasing how these techniques are used to create detailed digital twins of artifacts and historic sites. The second hour provides a hands-on demonstration where attendees will follow and learn the step-by-step process of building 3D models, from image organization to dense point cloud generation, mesh creation, and exporting final models. Whether you're a preservationist, archaeologist, or technology enthusiast, this seminar offers both foundational knowledge and practical skills to document and visualize history.

1) Learn how photogrammetry and remote sensing technologies can enhance archaeological work
2) Apply photogrammetry techniques to archaeological contexts
3) Create 3D models and point clouds for archaeological analysis

Will be presented by expert members of SAA, ACRA, and SHA, to be announced

Access the History Matters Toolkit here!

Access the recording here: #HistoryMatters, an initiative of SAA, ACRA, and the SHA.

With the change in the federal administration the archaeological community should expect impacts to the business of cultural resource management as well as potential changes to higher education. The Government Affairs Committee works to respond to Congress when potential legislation that affects our work or federal budgets is either positive or negative. The GAC cannot do this alone. Further, we want our members to be prepared for potential state legislation that may have direct impacts on your work. One of the best ways to accomplish the education of elected officials is with site visits and constituent meetings in their local offices. The goal of this webinar will be to educate SAA members on advocacy, specifically how to initiate, prepare for, carry out, and follow up on such meetings. The creation of long-term relationships with representatives in government will greatly advantage efforts to ensure that the physical remnants of our shared cultural past—and the knowledge they contain.

1. Communicate to registrants the importance of communicating with policymakers

2. Give registrants the tools and skills needed to meet with elected representatives in person

3. Encourage registrants to provide feedback to SAA, SHA and ACRA on meeting progress