The Dallas Archeological Society (DAS) started in 1936 as a study group interested in the geology, paleontology, and archaeology of the Dallas area. There was no formal organization until 1940 when the group decided to concentrate on archaeology. A constitution and by-laws were adopted, officers elected, and the name selected.
The purpose of the organization was to associate persons interested in the prehistory of the area for the purpose of systematic study, scientific investigation, and publication of material relevant to that subject. Membership was open to all persons interested in archaeology. The society had a charter membership of 13; membership by the late 1980s had grown to 110—including both professional and avocational archaeologists.
Activities of the society included archaeological investigations of historic and prehistoric sites, regular meetings, and publication of a newsletter. In addition to society-sponsored excavations and reconnaissance, the society cooperated with educational institutions, museums, and government agencies in surveying and recording sites being affected by construction, flooding, or agricultural operations. Meetings for the presentation of educational programs were held on the second Friday evening of each month on the campus of Southern Methodist University (SMU) between September and May.
Following the establishment of an archaeology program at SMU, the university served as the home for the DAS, providing it with office space and faculty sponsorship. The DAS dissolved in 2009, but SMU continues to hold some records of the organization and several collections of records and artifacts from their projects, including the following:
- 41DN290 (Wolters)
- Documents
- 41TR15 (Morehead-Gano Homestead)
- Documents
- Photographs
- Artifacts
- 41WD55 (McKenzie)
- Documents
- Photographs
- Dallas County Resurvey
- Documents
From 1939 until 2008 the society published its newsletter, The Record, to report on member activities and to published scientific papers. The ARC has digitized the entirety of the back catalog of The Record and made available through SMU’s Fondren Library. You can access all issues of The Record here.