This archaeological field school will provide an intense “learning lab” where students will decide whether they want to be professional archaeologists. Archaeology is a multidisciplinary field with diverse and numerous topics. This field school will expose students to basic field and lab methods, with special skills related to fieldwork in an urban setting. This course will provide instruction in archaeological field methods, such as general survey techniques, map making, excavation, historic structure recording, and historical record interpretation. At the conclusion of this class you will have acquired the ability to:
Locate, survey, document/map, and interpret cultural/heritage resources.
Identify the elements of a completed site form (MT CRIS form, MT Historic Property record, NRHP nomination form).
Locate/place cultural resources on a 7.5 minute USGS map.
Understand how a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit works.
Maintain a field notebook.
Understand the methods required of various types of archaeological sites and investigations, including an emphasis on incorporating HABS-level documentation to urban archaeological contexts.
Get a sense of archaeological technology such as laser scanning, digital imaging applications, GIS, etc.
Explore archival resources in the Mansfield Library.
Explain the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106 process for survey in the U.S.
Understand the basic tenets of an urban archaeological survey for the MSO Underground Project, as a partner to historic preservation.
Understand the steps involved with researching historic buildings and cultural landscapes in western Montana.
Please visit the field schools webpage for additional information and preliminary syllabi.