In this laboratory historic and prehistoric artifacts made from wood, metal and other materials recovered from beneath the oceans and rivers of the world, as well as from archaeological sites of certain kind on land, are restored.

The special physical and chemical techniques used in this fascinating process are taught in this laboratory to students whose academic coursework prepares them for this type of research.

Some of the current and recent research projects of this laboratory include restoration of parts of the ironclad U.S.S. MONITOR, and of a Spanish galleon off Padre Island in the Gulf of Mexico.

In addition, archaeometry (the use of physical and chemical techniques to analyze artifacts recovered from various kinds of archaeological sites beneath water and on land) facilities and instruments are used, and their techniques taught, in this laboratory.

Although the research and teaching associated with this laboratory is primarily for graduate students pursuing specialized research projects, interested undergraduate students in anthropology are encouraged to become acquainted with this fascinating field through course work.