ABOUT TSAS

Since its inception in 1986, TSAS has assisted archaeologists in major excavations throughout southwest Florida. Members participated in excavations and in creating ‘A Window to the Past’ exhibition inside of a prehistoric shell mound at Historic Spanish Point. Time Sifters has sponsored and/or participated in the successful outreach programs; Trail of Florida's Indian Heritage and Looking for Angola. Over the decades, TSAS has provided significant support contributing to the preservation of local archaeological resources. TSAS is a chapter of the Florida Anthropological Society, and supports local anthropology programs at New College of Florida, including sponsoring a paper competition for college students.

RESPECT MEMBERSHIP

TSAS membership shall be denied to any person who violates accepted standards of archaeological conduct and/or federal, state or local laws and regulations.

HAVE SITE AWARENESS

Be keenly aware that every archaeological site contains evidence of specific human activities and is a unique source of data about past socio-cultural behavior. All sites deserve professional quality excavation, analysis and publication. It will be mandatory for every member to further this goal.

WORK AS A TEAM

A TSAS Member will not participate in uncontrolled or unsupervised work in any of the Society’s fields of interest, but will seek to aid and assist the trained or professional members in the furtherance of archaeological and laboratory work, record keeping and all other aspects of information gathering needed for accurate and concise reporting of all such activities.

NO PERSONAL COLLECTING OF ARTIFACTS

The practices of exchanging, hoarding, buying, or selling of archaeology materials for the sole purpose of personal satisfaction or financial gain, including the indiscriminate excavation of archaeological sites, are declared contrary to the Society’s ideals and objectives.

REPORT UNAUTHORIZED ACTIVITY

Report all illicit and illegal activities such as unauthorized digging or looting of sites, and sites threatened with destruction, to one of Time Sifters' board members.

LIMIT EXCAVATIONS

No archaeological site or property should be excavated by the Society unless there is reasonable cause to believe it will be destroyed or severely altered within two years from date of consideration, and such excavation must be approved by the board.

ALWAYS OBTAIN PERMISSIONS

Permission from the property owner must be obtained before any site can be excavated by the Society. A full written release of liability covering all those working or visiting the site under the auspices of the Society shall be given.

We are a non-profit association of professional and amateur archaeologists, plus interested citizens of Sarasota and Manatee Counties in Southwest Florida.

Our Code of Ethics

Our Affiliations