About
Substrate Collaborative Anthropological Research (SCAR) is a full-service cultural resource management (CRM) and archaeological consulting firm based in La Grande, Oregon. We provide professional archaeological services throughout eastern and central Oregon, eastern and central Washington, and the broader Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West, delivering efficient, high-quality archaeological consulting while building lasting relationships with Tribes, project partners, and the communities where we live and work.
Our Story
SCAR was founded in 2023 by Andrew Frierson with the belief that cultural resource management can do more than satisfy regulatory requirements. Drawing on experience throughout the western United States, Andrew established SCAR to provide thorough and efficient archaeological consulting while generating meaningful archaeological data, fostering lasting relationships with Tribes and local communities, and contributing to a stronger, more collaborative archaeological profession.
Why "Substrate?"
The name Substrate comes from biology, where it refers to the natural environment in which an organism lives or the surface or medium on which it grows. We chose the name because archaeology is fundamentally about understanding the relationships between people and the landscapes they inhabit. Just as a substrate provides the foundation for life and growth, landscapes provide the environmental, cultural, and historical contexts through which human experiences are shaped and understood.
Our Approach
We believe cultural resource management is more than a regulatory process. Every project presents an opportunity to produce high-quality archaeological data, strengthen relationships with Tribes, clients, and project partners, and contribute to the broader archaeological record. Whether supporting habitat restoration, infrastructure, recreation, or energy development projects, we emphasize collaboration and practical solutions that help projects move forward while protecting cultural resources.
Research, Mentorship, and Community
Our archaeologists actively publish, present at professional conferences, pursue collaborative research, and integrate the results of cultural resource management into broader archaeological questions. We are equally committed to mentoring the next generation of archaeologists through professional development, field training, and educational opportunities while supporting public outreach that encourages engagement with archaeology and a broader appreciation of the past. By fostering collaboration among CRM professionals, Tribal cultural resource programs, agencies, academic institutions, students, and local communities, we strive to strengthen the archaeological profession while bridging the gap between cultural resource management, academic research, Tribal communities, and public engagement.