Technical Capabilities

Cogstone’s personnel are equipped with Trimble® GeoXH™ handhelds. Engineered with Trimble H-Star™ technology, the GeoXH units are accurate at the sub-foot level.  The units can be loaded with maps and data dictionaries to allow consistent data collection in the field.  These units can be directly downloaded to GIS applications for highly accurate maps and other uses.

Our offices are fully equipped with networked late-model computer stations, high-definition scanners, high volume color laser printers, digital photographic equipment, and mapping/GIS software programs. Cogstone produces high quality, detailed technical reports in-house with the use of Microsoft® Office Professional and other standard office software. Additionally, Microsoft® SharePoint facilitates communication and interface among office, laboratory, and field staff.  It allows staff to upload data and photos from the field to prevent data loss.  Cogstone’s use of advanced database software increases both our accessibility and efficiency in project administration.

Research Capacities

Cogstone maintains an extensive reference library of more than 1,000 volumes on subjects such as paleontology, archaeology, historical archaeology, Native American ethnography, history, and artifact identification and analysis, among others. The library also houses a broad collection of published and unpublished cultural resources management (CRM) project reports and an extensive compilation of topographic and historical maps.

Laboratory Facilities

Cogstone maintains a 1,500 square-foot laboratory. The lab contains air scribes, a compressor, ventilation system, microscopes, scales, a large storage and preparation area, computers, a fire-safe cabinet for storage of flammable materials, and other analytical equipment, as well as equipment dedicated to cleaning and stabilizing recovered materials.  A mechanical wet-screening unit permits efficient processing of large amounts of matrix.  For identification of recovered faunal remains, we have a comprehensive, comparative skeletal collection. Our lab space also functions as secure, temporary storage for project-related collections until their transport to an approved repository.  

Field Equipment

Cogstone maintains an extensive collection of field gear including all standard paleontology and archaeology items. Our cross-trained field personnel keep a field kit with them at all times while on the job. The kit is equipped with required safety equipment, instrumentation for recording data, GPS units for mapping, tools used for basic excavation, etc. Each also has a paleo kit with excavation tools, stabilization agents, and materials needed to create plaster jackets around fossils to permit removal without damage. We also maintain the equipment and materials to retrieve protein residue samples in the field.

Accounting Software and Hardware

Cogstone utilizes Deltek GCS Premiere as its main accounting software.  Through the utilization of Deltek, Cogstone's accounting methods meet FAR and CAS requirements to ensure DCAA compliance.  For enhanced security purposes, Deltek is run on its own encrypted server separate from the company server. 

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