The Archaeological Society of Alberta (ASA) is a Canadian nonprofit organization dedicated to the study, preservation, and promotion of Alberta’s rich archaeological heritage. Incorporated in 1975, ASA unites over 350 individual members and multiple institutional memberships across Alberta and beyond, organized into regional Centres that operate autonomously while collaborating provincially.

History and Structure

The ASA was founded when three Centres joined together to form a provincial body; eventually, it expanded to include six Centres—Edmonton, Bodo, Red Deer, Calgary, Lethbridge, and Southeastern Alberta. Each Centre has its own elected officials, providing regular programming such as monthly meetings, field trips, workshops, and public outreach activities throughout the year. The Society’s Board includes representatives from each Centre, along with the president, past president, secretary, treasurer, and editors of its biannual publication.

Mission and Activities

The Society supports the protection and responsible stewardship of archaeological and paleontological sites according to the Alberta Historical Resources Act, which all members endorse. ASA acts as a liaison between the public and the Archaeological Survey of Alberta at the Royal Alberta Museum. It encourages the reporting of archaeological sites and discourages unauthorized excavations, providing financial support for supervised excavations, surveys, mapping projects, and publishing archaeological research.

Field activities under expert supervision include visiting archaeological sites, mapping, surveying, and excavating, providing members and the public opportunities to engage directly with Alberta’s history. Educational efforts include lectures, traditional skills workshops, and various public outreach initiatives aimed at raising awareness of Alberta’s 13,000-year human history.

Publications and Conferences

The Archaeological Society of Alberta publishes the Alberta Archaeological Review twice yearly, which features reports, studies, and research relating to archaeological discoveries and activities in the province. The Society also sponsors the annual general meeting and conference each spring, fostering professional and community engagement within the archaeological field.

Governance and Support

ASA operates as a registered nonprofit and holds charitable status. It is funded through membership fees, fundraising activities, and grants, including support from the Alberta Ministry of Arts, Culture and Status of Women. The Society’s bylaws, last amended in 2020, outline its code of ethics, administration, membership rules, and governance policies to ensure ethical conduct and effective management.

Regional Centres

Each regional Centre maintains its own programming and operates independently with elected officers. For example, the Edmonton Centre, the northernmost chapter, hosts regular archaeological lectures, field trips, and workshops that promote local and provincial archaeology, furthering ASA’s mission regionally.

The Archaeological Society of Alberta continues to play a vital role in advocating for archaeological research, education, and heritage preservation across Alberta, connecting professionals, enthusiasts, and the public to the province’s ancient human past.