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TRIP INFORMATION NEIU INFORMATION OTHER INFORMATION
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Anthropology 380: Archaeological
Field School Summer IA, 2013 Instructor:
Dr Jon Hageman Class: May
19-June 30 (in Belize May 19-June 16) Course Description
and Objectives This
is a six credit-hour course designed to introduce you to the methods used to
collect and analyze archaeological data in a hands-on field setting. The course
will take place over the span of four weeks at a remote archaeological field
camp in Belize, Central America. Archaeological field methods include
mapping using measuring tapes and compasses as well as optical transits to
record the locations of archaeological features and artifacts.
Excavation subsumes documentation and recovery procedures. Artifact curation deals with processing and analyzing artifacts
and samples in the lab. In addition, you will have the opportunity
learn a great deal about the Prehispanic Maya
through lectures and field trips. Learning
Outcomes Upon
completion of this course, students will be able to:
Required Equipment and Reading
Stewart, R. Michael
2002 Archaeology:
Basic Field Methods. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company.
OR
Hester, Thomas R., Harry Shafer, and Kenneth Feder
2008 Field Methods in Archaeology, 8th edition. Left Coast Press, Inc.
Heavier duty equipment such as shovels, picks, mattocks, etc. as well as forms, clipboards, and graph paper will be provided. Grading Your
grade in this course will be determined by your demonstrated ability to
perform basic and more advanced procedures in three facets of archeological
field work, including mapping, excavation, and artifact curation/analysis.
A portion of your grade is also based on the quality of field notes you
maintain in a daily journal, as well as your participation in camp duties and
overall conduct. Mapping
evaluation will assess your ability to map a small residential group of ruins
using a tape and compass, as well as an optical transit. Your ability
to use this equipment and create a map will be assessed. Excavation
evaluation focuses on your ability to lay out an excavation unit, dig and
screen soil matrix, recognize changes in the matrix, and properly manage
paperwork and artifact recovery, draw plan maps and profiles, and photograph
features as they are uncovered in the field. You will be assessed on
your ability to coordinate and maintain track of these things, as well as demonstrate
a conceptual understanding of the Harris Matrix recording system. Artifact
curation and analysis (lab) addresses your ability
to process and record artifacts and samples in the lab. This includes
the processing and recording of ceramic and lithic artifacts, as well as any
bone, botanical, or Carbon 14 samples. You may also be called upon to
participate in flotation and dry screen analyses, or on other projects that
may be underway in the lab (e.g., ceramic refit/reassembly, soil cores, photography,
drawing, etc.). Specific lab tasks vary; your tasks will be assigned
after arriving in camp. Your
journal will consist of field notes, which will detail the techniques you've
used and your observations about the artifacts and features you've encountered.
You may also ask questions in your notes about why things are being done the
way they are, and are also encouraged to make your own interpretations.
As archaeological excavation is a destructive process, the accurate recording
of fieldwork is an essential part of this field school. Camp
duties vary and will rotate weekly. These include disposing of trash,
monitoring and replenishing the camp water supply, doing dishes, and
maintaining and cleaning the latrines, showers, lab, and kitchen. You
will also be expected to pitch in on an as-needed basis. Essential
non-technical skills, including teamwork, punctuality, and ability to work
well with others will also comprise a portion of the student assessment. Grading
breakdown is as follows: Mapping:
20%
A = 90-100% Excavation:
20%
B = 80-99% Lab:
20%
C = 70-79% Journal/Notes:
20%
D = 60-69% Camp
Duties/Conduct:
20%
F = <59% Plagiarism
and Cheating The
ownership or consumption of illegal drugs will not be tolerated and will result
in an immediate, automatic flight home at your own expense and an F for the
course. In addition, I expect that you will comport yourself
responsibly whether in camp, in the field, or on a field trip. Field
Location Field
methods will be taught at various locations within the Programme for Belize
nature preserve, located in northwestern Belize. The site of Guijarral will be
the focus of mapping and excavation efforts for the 2010 season. This season's
excavations will focus on recovering botanical and chemical evidence for food
preparation associated with prehistoric feasting during the Late Classic (AD
600-850) period. These remains will be compared to remains recovered from
locations thought to be devoid of prehistoric feasting activities. Several
residential groups will be also mapped. In addition, students will have the
opportunity to work with other researchers in the area. Camp Life We
will be staying at the rustic yet pleasant R.E.W. Adams Research Station,
adjacent to the Programme for Belize's La Milpa Research Station. You will be
assigned to share either a dorm room or a tent. The camp has showers and
latrines, a large dining cabana (with two excellent cooks preparing our
meals), and an extensive field laboratory. Students will be expected to
participate in camp jobs (e.g., cleaning the buildings, maintaining the water
supply, tending the latrines, disposing of trash) and to follow general camp
guidelines (e.g., quiet after 8:30 pm, clearing your dishes, etc.). These
jobs and guidelines make camp a fun and pleasant place for all, including
you. Typical
Field Day 5:30 Wake-up
call 6:00
Breakfast, make your lunch 6:45 Daily
briefing and assignments 7:00 Leave
for the field (with lunch and equipment) 11:00 Lunch
(30 minutes) 3:30 Head
back to camp 6:00 Dinner 7:00 Lectures
(when scheduled), otherwise evening free 8:30 Quiet
time 9:00 Lights
out Tentative
Course Schedule
May 14: Introduction, SCI 156, 9:00 am, ca. 2 hours
May 19: Arrive O'hare International, 6:30 am. Depart for Belize , arriving
Goldson International Airport (Belize City) at ca. 3 pm, chartered bus to REW
Adams Research Station. [airline, flight
number, and departure/arrival times will be announced when tickets are
purchased]
May 20: Settle in to camp, lecture on Maya civilization
May 21: Tour lab and site of La Milpa, trip to Blue Creek for shopping
May 22-24: Fieldwork at Guijarral
May 25: Day off
May 26-31: Fieldwork continues
June 1: Trip to Lamanai
May 29-June 7: Fieldwork continues
June 8: Day off
June 9-10: Final days of lab and fieldwork, backfilling
June 11: Pack and field and lab equipment, prepare for trip
June 12-16: End of season trip TBA: Tikal and Caye Caulker or Belize
Valley/Caracol and Caye Caulker
June 16: Taxi to Goldson Int'l Airport, Belize City. YOU MUST ARRIVE AT THE
AIRPORT NO LATER THAN 10:30 am. Depart Belize City early afternoon, arrive
O'hare late evening. [airline, flight
number, and departure/arrival times will be announced when tickets are
purchased]
June 20: Debriefing and course evaluation, SCI 156, 10:30 am, ca. 1.5 hours
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