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MARS: A Unique Place for Storing Archeological
CollectionsBy: Sarah Heffner, Ph.D.Aspen Environmental [email protected]
What is MARS?What is MARS?Mathewson Automated Retrieval System
Houses seldom used materialsRobotic retrieval of items located in variously-shaped storage bins
Houses over 700,000 itemsThree stories high, with six cranes and 27,216 storage bins
Requesting an ItemRequesting an Item
Retrieving an ItemRetrieving an Item
Archaeological Materials Archaeological Materials in MARSin MARS
2100+ boxes of archaeological materials
Prehistoric and historic artifacts, soil/flotation samples, C-14 samples
Recovered from excavations conducted from the 1960s-the present
Accessioned from 1981-present
Archaeological Collections at Stead Bldg. 32
Preparing Archaeological Preparing Archaeological
Materials for MARSMaterials for MARSCollections re-boxed into 10” × 10” boxes
Some collections accessioned into Museum
Each box assigned a barcode and box number
Information on each box entered into Access database
Coordination with Knowledge Center staff
Researching Archaeological Researching Archaeological Collections in MARSCollections in MARS
Problems with using Problems with using MARSMARSRe-boxing mishaps:-Overfilling boxes-Improper packaging-Improperly closing boxesLimited storage space:-Doubling original number of boxes as move
from large to small boxes-Original estimate = 400 boxes into MARS
-Currently = 2,110 boxes in MARS
Boston Saloon boxes ready to go to MARS
Benefits of using MARSBenefits of using MARSSecure locationTemperature and humidity controlled
Pest-freeGreater accessibilitySystematic storage of materials
AcknowledgementsAcknowledgementsDr. Carolyn White (Associate Prof., UNR Anthropology Department)
Dr. Donald Hardesty (Prof. Emeritus, UNR Anthropology Department)
Steven Holm (Graduate student, UNR Anthropology Department)
Dr. Ben Barna (AMEC)Dr. Sean McMurry (AMEC)Robert Leavitt (Historical Archaeology Lab Volunteer, UNR Anthropology Department)
Veronica Valencia (Library Technician, MIGT-Knowledge Center)
