Skidmore College
Summer Archaeological Field School
South Park, Colorado

June 1 - 30, 2009

Skidmore College offers students with appropriate background the opportunity to participate in an archaeological field school during the month of June 2009. Fieldwork activities will be located in Colorado’s South Park and center on the investigation of Native American histories. Rich in archaeological resources, South Park is a large intermontane basin, situated directly east of the Continental Divide. Recent research in the area has revealed Native American occupations extending over 12,000 years. Together with professional archaeologists and community volunteers, students enrolled in the field school will participate in an ongoing research project designed to reveal and explain the diversity in native settlements associated with this long history.

During their 5-day work week, students will learn the basic methods and techniques associated with archaeological site discovery, mapping and excavation; and they will be introduced to fundamental laboratory procedures used in the process of accessioning artifacts for the project’s curation facility in Fairplay, Colorado.

Finally, through field trips to adjacent areas of archaeological interest, as well as lectures and field opportunities offered by visiting scholars, students will learn how South Park’s archaeology fits into larger ecological, historical and cultural contexts.

Students will enroll in AN 202, Introduction to Archaeological Field Investigations (4 credits)
Prerequisites: AN 102 or equivalent (or permission of instructor) and hiking and camping experience or desire and ability to engage in it.

Cost of the program is $3,300 and includes tuition for AN 202, housing and program activities. Students must make their own travel arrangements to and from Breckinridge, CO (via Denver for students traveling by air).

For additional information please see the South Park Archaeological Project.

For information contact Susan Bender, Department of Anthropology, 518-580-5420 or email her at sbender@skidmore.edu