Many CAR projects involve archaeological and historical studies needed by federal agencies, city and county governments, engineers, architects, planning commissions, and other firms and agencies. Such investigations are often required by the Texas Historical Commission as part of the process of obtaining funding and licensing for a wide variety of public projects. CAR's archaeological laboratory has complete facilities for processing and analyzing artifact collections. The laboratory is an authorized curatorial repository designated by the Texas Historical Commission. It houses extensive collections from prehistoric and historic sites in Texas, and has collections from Mesoamerica, Panama, and Africa.
Some collections are on display for viewing by students, teachers, and visiting scholars.