Smith, Parrish, & Atkins Resource Consultants, LLC

05/07/2026

The St. Joe Brick Yard played an important role in Louisiana’s industrial history and helped shape communities across the Northshore. A fascinating look into the archaeological and historical legacy of the region’s brick industry.

In the spring 2023 issue, Benjamin Morris chases down the history of St. Joe bricks he found populating his yard and later, as he begins to notice, all across New Orleans. Morris uncovers the history behind the bricks and the history of brick making in the area.

He writes: “Trained as an archaeologist, I tend to assume that the antiquities I unearth from the soil don’t have web sites attached to them, much less phone numbers. Curious after these recent hauls, however, I looked up whether St. Joe still exists, and found not only an address less than an hour away, but a human voice on the other end of the telephone line inviting me to come and visit.”

Read more here: https://64parishes.org/the-st-joe-brick-yard

About the image: A moss-covered St. Joe brick in New Orleans. Courtesy of Randy Spitler.

05/07/2026

04/30/2026

Happy 214th birthday, Louisiana—here’s to the culture, food, music, and spirit that make it one of a kind! 🎉

12/24/2025

As night falls in Louisiana, Santa Claus is making his way through the bayous and woodlands. Merry Christmas!

11/04/2025

🔎 Now Hiring: On-Call Archaeological Field Technicians (Southeast U.S.)

Smith, Parrish, & Atkins Resource Consultants, LLC (SPARC) — based in Slidell, Louisiana — is seeking experienced archaeological field technicians to join our team for upcoming Phase I surveys and other cultural resource projects across the Southeast (TX, LA, MS, AR, and AL).

Technicians will assist with pedestrian survey, shovel testing, mapping, documentation, and artifact recording under the supervision of a Principal Investigator or Project Manager.

Minimum Qualifications:
✅ B.A./B.S. in Anthropology, Archaeology, or related field
✅ Completion of an accredited archaeological field school (or equivalent experience)
✅ Minimum of 3 months of CRM field experience (Preferred)
✅ Ability to work outdoors in varied terrain and weather
✅ Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation

Position Details:
📅 On-call/project-based (assignments vary)
🏕️ Per diem & lodging provided for overnight travel
💵 Hourly pay based on experience

📨 To Apply:
Email your resume/CV, cover letter, and two professional references to [email protected]

📌 Subject line: “On-Call Field Technician – [Your Last Name]”

🌐 Learn more about us: www.sparc-llc.com

SPARC LLC offers Cultural Resources Management in the Southeast, specializing in archaeological surveys, architectural investigations, and preservation services to ensure your project's compliance and historical stewardship.

10/18/2025

? ? No matter how you spell it, archaeology is definitely worth celebrating. 🎉Happy ! Check out archaeologyday.org for a list of Archaeology Day events.

09/13/2025

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
This year we are partnering with the Union County Heritage Museum to have the Archaeology Expo at Ingomar Mounds near New Albany! Hope to see a great turn out for this family friendly event.

If you would like to participate by providing an activity or educational information, please reach out to us via Messenger or at [email protected]
or email Jill Smith @ucheritagemuseum.com

08/13/2025

08/05/2025

The Society for American Archaeology’s 2025 Discover Archaeology Activity Booklet is now available! You can earn an embroidered patch for completing an activity. Learn more at K-12 Activities & Resources.
https://saa.org/education-outreach/teaching-archaeology/k-12-activities-resources

07/26/2025

Ever wondered what tools we use to help us excavate and document the archaeological process? 🤔💭

While you may commonly see archaeologists using trowels and shovels, those aren’t the only tools we use to help excavate!

From Right to Left:
The Munsell Soil Color Book helps us accurately identify the color of the sediment we’re excavating.

Our trowels give us more dexterity and can help us feel sediment texture changes.

A simple dustpan allows us to keep our quads neat and tidy by scooping up loose dirt.

When it’s time to map what we see at the base of our quads or our stratigraphic profiles, a folding ruler, line level, and plumb bob allow us to measure as accurately as possible.

Root clippers allow us to snip roots without disturbing the sediment.

And when we go to take a photo, the ranging pole is a consistent scale reference.