Specializing in Electronic Reconnaissance & GPS Survey essentially sums up the premise under which HAR was originally formed in 1993. After establishing our presence as a viable consulting firm, the company has endeavored to provide cost effective services with innovative application of current technologies ensuring the best possible solutions for our clients.

State-of-the-art metal detecting instruments and decades of practical experience have been incorporated by HAR to produce a survey blueprint that has been extensively tested and field proven. Intensive metal detection survey will, more often than not, generate results that are inversely proportional to conventional methods. Historic period sites generally yield a great deal in the way of metal artifacts. In many instances, traditional sampling strategies such as shovel testing and surface collection may be less than adequate and may render little or no pertinent information about a given site. On the other hand, a more thorough metal detection survey of the same site often produces a vast amount of material evidence. Electronic location and collection of the metal remains in conjunction with conventional archaeological practices is a more comprehensive formula for interpreting, delineating, and dating historic sites.

GPS survey and GIS mapping techniques are clearly the logical solution if an accurate and cost effective approach to deriving and analyzing spatially related data is the question. We realized the potential of GPS/GIS in early 1993 and have utilized these survey and data manipulation disciplines in most of our projects since late 1994. Sub-meter GPS survey data coupled with the GIS capability to analyze archaeological field data both graphically and statistically is a service and product that HAR pioneered. In an effort to meet stringent client requirements and to ensure full service survey and mapping capabilities, HAR also provides precision (cm resolution) electronic total station data collection services.

Noninvasive geophysical survey methods, designed to locate and delimit potential archaeological sites in advance of excavation or destruction, are a sensible approach to competent management of cultural resources. HAR has a keen interest in geophysical survey techniques as integrated with the location, delineation and mapping of threatened or endangered historically significant sites. We are currently engaged in long term research involving subsurface imaging survey and mapping of endangered 19th century cemeteries, and have been involved in more than 100 of these kinds of studies in the past twelve years.

The institutions, agencies, firms and individuals who have contracted with HAR are directly responsible for our successes having proposed and funded projects that enable cooperation and use of HAR services. Our commitment is to our clients, and our pledge is to continue providing advanced and cost-effective archaeological support services.