Environmental Archaeology Research Laboratory Service Center

The Environmental Archaeology Research Laboratory at Washington State University specializes in geoarchaeological and paleoethnobotanical fieldwork, sample collection, sample processing, and sample analysis. Geoarchaeological specializations include field soil and sediment descriptions, geoarchaeological sample collection, and laboratory analysis of organic carbon and carbonate content (loss-on-ignition), soil pH and electrical conductivity (electrode), and texture (sieve and hydrometer). Paleoethnobotanical specializations include seed, charcoal, pollen, phytolith, and starch extraction and analysis from artifacts and sediments.

An initial consultation to discuss your project is free of change. For each geoarchaeological and paleoethnobotanical sample we process, we charge a flat fee of $100 per sample ($92 federal/internal). Note that for artifact plant microfossil extractions we typically collect multiple samples from a single artifact, and each sample will be charged the full sample processing rate. Fieldwork, sample analysis, and report write up are billed at $100 per hour ($92 federal/internal). If the project requires long-distance travel, then there may be additional travel costs. The standard rate includes a mandatory Washington State University 8% administrative charge. Rates do not include shipping costs to send samples to the Environmental Archaeology Research Laboratory.