This paper from 1964 describes in depth the Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art at Oxford University formed in 1955. The three basic areas of work in which the laboratory is involved are as follows: 1) Field survey methods. The pin- pointing of places where the archaeologist should dig when the area to be investigated is too big for complete stripping. 2) Chemical analysis--generally of a non-destructive nature. 3) Direct dating techniques.