RAS GENERAL PROGRAM

The RAS has two main categories of programs. One is to enable members to learn about archaeology and participate in archaeological activities. The second is to inform the public about archaeology and the importance of preserving our archaeological heritage.

Importance of Archaeology

Most of our country's past is recorded in archaeological sites rather than in documents. These sites are disappearing with dizzying speed as developments and natural erosion change the landscape.

Every site lost is a lost page of history.

Knowledge of our past is important for several reasons.

Firstly the cultures of the world now and in the past have been shaped by the common characteristics of mankind. This is considered by some archaeologists to be "cross cultural universality". Studying past cultures can help us generally to understand why other people do the things they do and thus enable the groups within our communities to get along better and to understand why the peoples of other countries do the things they do.

Secondly, knowledge of what has happened in the past may help us understand what is happening to us now and to determine where we are headed. This may enable us to modify the future to our mutual benefit. To support this we include the words of Louis Leakey.

"The past is the key to our future"

If you care about and want to conserve our heritage for future generations join the Regina Archaeological Society.

Some examples of programs for members include:

• six meetings per year, during the fall, winter and spring, where speakers lecture on various aspects of archaeology in Saskatchewan and around the world.
• ten issues of our newsletter, the Catlinite Tabloid
• field trips to sites of interest
• opportunities to participate in archaeological surveys, excavations and laboratory analyses.
• We have also published a book, Fort Pelly Journal of Daily Occurrences
• Our work at Last Mountain House provided the information for the book Last Mountain House by Olga Klimko and John Hodges (1993)

• public events such as the annual Festival of Ancient Technology
• Participation with Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management in A day in the life of a Hudson's Bay Fur Trading Post at Last Mountain House.
• Seminars and workshops about archaeology in Saskatchewan
• Participating with the Royal Saskatchewan Museum in archaeological events such as sponsoring lecturers on the subjects of archaeology and anthropology

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