About the SCAS
The Santa Cruz Archaeological Society (SCAS) is a non-profit organization working with multiple agencies, local schools, Native American tribes, and other interest groups to help showcase and preserve local history. A core mission of the Santa Cruz Archaeological Society is to educate the public – including adults, high school students, and others sharing a fascination with California’s unique history and cultures – on recent theories and current archaeological research in the Monterey Bay region, California, and beyond.
The Santa Cruz Archaeological Society is also a member of the Council of Allied Societies, a forum organized by the Society for American Archaeology for the advancement of archaeology and the exchange of information about cultural resources protection. In recent years, SCAS has visited primary school classrooms focusing on California history and the Society also regularly participates in the Santa Cruz County History Fair, job fairs, the Aptos Farmer’s Market, and profession meetings of the Society for California Archaeology.
The Santa Cruz Archaeological Society also holds an annual California Archaeology Month Film Fest in October, as well as lectures on local and other specific archaeological topics at free monthly meetings open to the public. Students, parents, grandparents, and anyone with an interest in archaeology, anthropology, or history is invited to join the Santa Cruz Archaeological Society and be a part of the longstanding effort to help preserve local heritage for the future.
In the Spotlight
- Volunteer Opportunity! Summer Archaeology Project 2024!SAP 2024 flyer
- SCAS Outreach: Natural History Museum’s “Museum of the Macabre” eventOn October 27, 2023, the SCAS participated in the Santa Cruz Natural History Museum’s “Museum of the Macabre” event; a costume party that included cocktails, food, games, an outdoor movie, and all sorts of creepy-crawlies. There were many booths highlighting paleontology, mushrooms, bats, insects, “biggest fears”, worm casting, etc. The theme was “underground”. The SCAS booth ...
- In Memory of Rob Edwards (1938-2023)Robert Lynn Edwards, beloved partner, adored father, brother, uncle, and friend; archaeologist, anthropologist, teacher, mentor, community organizer, and resident of Santa Cruz County, died of complications from congestive heart failure on May 17, 2023. Always a big man, he was light on his feet when dancing and always ready with a pun delivered with an ...
- A 10,000+/- year-old history story to be told – And we need your help!The Santa Cruz Archaeological Society is taking on leadership for bringing an important piece of the prehistory of Scotts Valley to life by updating and expanding the archaeological display in the City Hall. And we need donations. Some of you know SCAS has had a long history with Scotts Valley and CA-SCR-177, the very early and ...
- Wikipedia Santa Cruz Archaeology Update: the Scotts Valley Site (CA-SCR-177)Rob Edwards’ Wikipedia online encyclopedia update for the Scotts Valley Site (CA-SCR-177). Excavations of the Scotts Valley site were performed by SCAS members. Link to Wikipedia below: Scotts Valley Site (CA-SCR-177)
- SCAS Speaker Series on Youtube: A Collection of Recorded SCAS Guest Speaker Eventshttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdZkxtvgQglgqhRNHdjB65w/playlists
- Linda Yamane’s Basket Transformed into a Striking Mosaic Mural in East Oakland Honoring the First Nation OhloneJanuary 2021 article by Frances Phillips from the Creative Work Fund: https://creativeworkfund.org/news/linda-yamanes-basket-transformed-into-a-striking-mosaic-mural From artist Jess Medina’s Facebook Page: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10218784190543884&id=1474039349&sfnsn=mo
- Wikipedia Santa Cruz Archaeology Updates: the Scotts Valley Site (CA-SCR-177), the Redman-Hirahara Farmstead, the Lost Adobe and Phoenix Buttons in CaliforniaRob Edwards’ recent Wikipedia online encyclopedia updates include: the Scotts Valley site (CA-SCR-177), Redman-Hirahara Farmstead, the Lost Adobe and an entry on Phoenix Buttons in California. Excavations of the Scotts Valley site (CA-SCR-177), Lost Adobe and the Redman-Hirahara Farmstead were performed by SCAS members. Links below: Redman-Hirahara Farmstead Lost Adobe Phoenix Buttons Scotts Valley site (CA-SCR-177)
The Santa Cruz Archaeological Society is headquartered within the territory of Soquel, a thriving village of indigenous Awaswas (Ohlone) speaking Aptos peoples. Despite violence and displacement introduced by missionaries and other Euro-American colonizers, this homeland is still visited and stewarded in the present day by multiple Native American tribal groups. An internet search will help identify tribal groups in our area of California. We also acknowledge that the Santa Cruz Archaeological Society membership extends outward to the homelands of many more Native American peoples and groups who continue to practice their cultures while caring for the lands and waters of their traditional areas.
