The Massachusetts Archaeological Society (MAS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and studying the archaeological heritage of Massachusetts. 

Since 1939, the MAS has studied the people whose cultural legacy is within the lands we walk upon today.

Our Purpose

MAS stimulates the study of archaeology and Native American cultural history, especially in Massachusetts, and serves as a bond among all students of archaeology.

The MAS fosters public understanding through educational programs and publications, and promotes scientific research, careful, well-directed archaeological activity, conservation of sites, data, and artifacts, and seeks to prevent collection of specimens for commercial purposes.

Accomplishments

Over the past half century, MAS has:

  • Excavated many sites, including some of the most significant archaeological discoveries in Massachusetts.

  • Built an extensive collection of over 70,000 artifacts spanning 12,000 years of history.

  • Established a museum. 
    New:  The Robbins Museum is now open on Wednesdays from 10am to 4pm, Thursdays from 10am to 2pm, and Saturdays from 10am to 2pm.

  • Founded a research library of some 2500 volumes in archaeology and anthropology, and an extensive collection of periodicals.

  • Provided education for children and adults, including courses, lectures, and archaeological fieldwork training.

  • Developed a respected Bulletin, now in its 54th year, the only journal of its kind in Massachusetts.

  • Developed ties with local Native American Communities.

  • Founded chapters across the state, which offers programs and opportunities to participate in the field.

  • Worked with state and local officials to identify and protect archaeological sites.

Contact Us:

Phone: 508-947-9005

Mailing Address:

Massachusetts Archaeological Society
PO Box 700
Middleborough, MA 02346-0700

E-mail: info@massarchaeology.org

 


Visit us at:

The Robbins Museum
17 Jackson Street, Middleborough, Massachusetts, 02346

Robbins Museum is Open:
Wednesday 10 AM to 4 PM, Thursday 10 AM to 2 PM
Saturday 10 AM to 2 PM.

The Robbins Museum is Handicapped Accesible

 

The Robbins Museum/MAS is proud to introduce the:
Native American Educational Project.  
This offering fits into the:
Massachusetts Education Curriculum Frameworks
and is sponsored by the Frederick Lobl for Charities Trust
and the A. D. Makepeace Neighborhood Fund

 

MAS DOCUMENTS ON THE WEB

LINKS and EVENTS!  Related Archaeology WebSites

2008 Field School Opportunities

Robbins Museum Bingo - The new game for young Museum visitors




Arrowheads

Click links below for further information
on events and information


Education on the Go:  The Robbins Museum and MAS go out on the Road!

MAS 2008 Spring Newsletter is now viewable online

For Massachusetts 4th and 5th Graders, the Second Annual Poster and Essay Contest   
                      

COMING SOON!  An online Museum Store featuring unique MAS items. Right now you can use the new online store capability for MAS Membership

 

Expert Advice - Artifacts Identified for a Young Visitor



The Robbins Museum comes to Middleborough's Pratt Farm

 


“Archaeology on the Taunton, an October Canoe/Kayak Tour”

Middleborough COA tour of the Robbins Museum


The Carver Red Hat Mamas Visit the Robbins Museum


Oct. 2007, MAS Annual Meeting: Photos and Program

PODCAST: The Nova crew from WGBH was at the Robbins Museum on February 10, 2007 to film MAS's Jeff Boudreau as he knapped a fluted point. Click to see some session photos and link to Nova's website for this exciting video sequence.

 

Robbins Museum NAGPRA Project

 

AAA Horizons Newsletter features an article about the Robbins Museum

Bay Farm Montessori Academy Visits the Robbins Museum

Benefactors and Donors

2008 MAS Spring Meeting
was held May 3, 2008,
Storrs, CT

 

 

"Wapanucket" has been reprinted! This was the archaeological report by Maurice (Doc) Robbins, the first Massachusetts state archaeologist and one of the founders of MAS, about the excavation of a well known Native American site on the shore of Assawompsett Pond.   Please visit the "Wapanucket" page to read about and order this publication.  Photos are also online from the March 31, 2007 Wapanucket Celebration

 

 

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