Society for American Archaeology: New Affiliate of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

HE formal existence of the Society for American Archaeology began on December 28, 1934, when an organizational meeting following the annual dinner of Section H of the AAAS accepted a proposed constitution and elected a slate of officers. The institutional predecessor of the, Society was the Committee on State Archaeological Surveys, created in 1921 by the NatiQnal Research Council and later given financial aid by the Carnegie Corporation. Formation of the Society was the outgrowth of a need for better communication among archaeologists working in the Americas and for an effective method of informing the public of the unique character and scientific value of archaeological sites in order to prevent irresponsible destruction of the materials. Provision was made in the original constitution for a quarterly journal, annual meetings, and establishment of regional divisions. The objectives of the Society are set forth in Article II of the constitution: