A repository of archaeometric research collections and records has been established at the conservation analytical laboratory of the smithsonian institution. The origin and scope of this enterprise is examined. Sarcar will preserve analysed artifactual and raw material that has been bequethed to the smithsonian institution as well as maintain computer files of analytical work in a form accessible to archaeologists and archaeometrists. A call is made to the archaeometric community to contribute information and materials to sarcar.