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The PAL laboratory houses all functions related to the
processing, analysis, cataloging, conservation, and curation of artifacts
recovered during our field investigations. The 3,200 sq. ft. facility includes
climate-controlled storage space and is fully accredited for curating recovered
cultural materials and project-related documentation. The data and artifacts
stored at the laboratory are available to professional archaeologists, students,
and other qualified individuals interested in using the materials for research.
A full-time
laboratory supervisor, technician, and assistant staff the laboratory. To
assist the staff accomplish its processing and analytical tasks, the laboratory
is outfitted with a variety of specialized equipment, including a Flote-tech
flotation machine; drying racks; scales; precision measuring equipment;
binocular microscopes; computers; software applications; and extensive reference
collections for ceramics, lithic, floral, and faunal remains that aid in the
identification of cultural materials.
Artifacts are
cataloged using a proprietary relational database program that PAL developed to
ensure that materials are cataloged in a thorough and consistent manner. The
program meets all professional archaeological standards for the description and
identification of artifacts. Special emphasis is placed on identifying an
artifact’s material, function, manufacturing techniques and date ranges. PAL
laboratory staff also have experience with the Automated National Catalog System
(ANCS+) used by the National Park Service.
PAL’s
laboratory provides for the in-house stabilization and conservation of
individual artifacts and/or artifact assemblages. This capability is based on
the extensive experience of our laboratory staff with identification,
evaluation, and treatment of a wide variety of artifact conservation problems,
including the complex issues associated with objects recovered from wetland and
marine environments. Conservation techniques utilized by PAL may vary from
simple cleansing in filtered deionized water (produced in- house using our own
reverse osmosis/deionization water filtering system) to replication of an entire
object through casting. Post-treatment procedures involve the application of
archivally-stable preservatives, sealants, and storage materials that will
ensure that the artifact is contained in a stable, non-degrading
micro-environment. All conservation activities undertaken by PAL are completed
in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines
for Archaeology and Historic Preservation (Federal Register 48, No. 190,
1983) and treatment procedures defined in the Code of Ethics and Guidelines
(AIC 1994) established by the American Institute for Conservation of
Historic & Artistic Works.
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Information
Management Systems
PAL is committed to
applying available technology to enhance our data collection and analysis
capabilities, facilitate internal and external communications, and produce
high-quality products. In order to maintain our information systems and keep
current with rapidly changing technological developments, PAL has a dedicated
Information Management Systems (IMS) department staffed by a full-time
Information Systems Administrator (ISA) and Information Systems
Assistant/Archivist. PAL’s
local area network consists of four Windows 2003 Servers (two IBM E
Servers configured as a file sever and a Microsoft Exchange server, a Dell Poweredge 4400 Server
configured as a Citrix remote access server, and a Dell Poweredge 2300
configured as an IIS Server and Webserver). The PAL staff are equipped
with Dell and Gateway workstations running the Windows XP Professional operating system. File and network security
are addressed by employing McAfee’s virus scan security suite, a Sonicwall Pro
1260 firewall, a Barracuda SF 300 Anti Spam device. and Computer Associates
BrightStore ARCserve backup software. PAL is equipped with a wide array of
peripheral devices to support its internal production of work products and
facilitate the collection and processing of data. Among the peripheral hardware
devices are scanners, copiers, black-and-white and color printers, CD-RWs,
digital cameras, notebooks, and digitizing stations. Handheld Palm pilots
configured with Pendragon Forms are utilized to streamline information
gathering by staff when in the field.
PAL
has made a considerable investment in software titles that streamline its data
processing tasks, enhance product presentation, and increase our capabilities to
accept and supply products in a wide variety of electronic formats. Our
application software include Adobe
PageMaker, Adobe Photoshop, MS Frontpage, AutoCad 2006,
ESRI Arcview 9.1, AutoDesk Map 3D, AutoCAD Raster Design 2006, Focus, Calib3,
Surfer, MS Office 2003 Professional, Lotus, MS Powerpoint, Pathfinder Office, MS Project, and Deltek
Sema4. In addition to retail software packages, a number of specialized
databases have been designed in-house to provide staff with efficient and
effective ways to gain access to the extensive amount of information housed at
PAL. Centralized custom project information and contact management applications
enable staff to gain immediate access to key information. The use of a custom
phone notes database aids the tracking and searching of project related phone
correspondence. Regional state site forms are created through the use of
multiple customized state site form databases and are stored electronically
enabling their use as a searchable resource for staff.
In order to
facilitate internal and external communication all PAL staff have individual
e-mail accounts and access to the internet. Company wide e-mail and internet
access are supplied by a dedicated e-mail server and an Integrated T1 Line. PAL staff have the ability to transfer and receive documents
electronically to and from clients when requested. All PAL staff have
remote access to the PAL local area network through a Citrix secure gateway
solution. PAL utilizes Toshiba phones connected to a Strata
Voice Messaging System. Staff members are assigned individual voice mailboxes,
which may be accessed remotely, and issued company cellular phones when in the
field.
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Production Department
PAL is
committed to producing quality reports that meet the highest technical standards
and clearly convey to reviewers and clients the results of our investigations.
Our Production Team consists of six full-time professionals, including a
production manager, editor, two cartographers, and two layout specialists. All
reports are generated in electronic format using the latest computer software
and hardware technology available. PAL uses Adobe PageMaker as its primary
page layout software, but also has the capability to provide reports in
Microsoft Word, or Adobe Acrobat formats. Large and standard
format scanners, digital cameras, and Adobe Photoshop provide a variety of
options used to fully illustrate our reports. Maps are generated utilizing AutoCad
2006,
AutoDesk Map 3d, and AutoCAD Raster Design 2006 software, which allows PAL to utilize existing electronic files, scan hard
copy maps, or draw originals from scratch using information collected in the
field. Standard reports and graphics are printed on
laser printers. Large format maps are produced on a Hewlett Packard LaserJet
450c plotter. PAL also has the capability to design and print full-color
publications utilizing a Savin SLP38C, 1,200 by 1,200 dpi color printer. Back
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Financial Department
PAL’s
Financial Department is staffed with a full-time Financial Manager and a
Financial Assistant who are responsible for managing the company’s financial
accounting system and developing client contracts. In order to insure the
long-term viability of PAL and deliver the highest quality product to our
clients at a reasonable cost, it is essential to accurately record and
reflect the cost of each project. Toward this end, PAL maintains a detailed
computerized general ledger system in Deltek Sema4 an accounting/project
management software. Incorporated into the design of this system is the ability
to track each project separately to compare the actual costs incurred with the
budgeted costs on a current year-to-date basis as well as on a project-to-date
basis. The historical comparative data allows us to accurately appraise what
similar projects are likely to cost in terms of time and resources. The system
also allows the tracking of indirect and direct costs in accordance with the
regulations set forth through the Cost Accounting Standards (48 CFR Chapter 99
(FAR Appendix)). PAL is audited each year by an independent accounting firm in
accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards and the
Government Auditing Standards, issued by the comptroller of the United
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Reference
Library
PAL maintains
an extensive technical reference library that contains published and unpublished
materials pertaining to archaeological and historic research methods,
architectural history, federal and state regulations and guidelines for cultural
resource management and historic preservation, and technical cultural resource
management reports. The library currently contains more than 8,300 books,
reports, maps, and other items. All have been cataloged using a customized
database program with an interface designed to facilitate and expedite library
research. In
addition to PAL's extensive collection of hard copy USGS maps and nautical
charts, PAL staff utilize Maptech's Terrain Navigator and
Chartkit digital map/chart software packages when electronic versions are
required.
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