Overview:
Weber State University Anthropology Program is pleased to announce Anth 3300: Archaeological Field Techniques this summer from May 13th to June 5th. The field school will include two ten-day work sessions held in the San Rafael Desert, UT and Big Horn Basin, WY.
This 6-credit course is geared toward Anthropology majors at Weber State University although it is open to students from any college or university. An introductory and one upper division archaeology course are prerequisites for this field school as well as permission from the instructor.
This 6-credit course is geared toward Anthropology majors at Weber State University although it is open to students from any college or university. An introductory and one upper division archaeology course are prerequisites for this field school as well as permission from the instructor.
Details:
- 6 Credits
- Approximately $1800 in fees to support tuition, food, travel, and camping fees
- Preferred application deadline: February 9th
- Pending space applications will be accepted through March 30th
- Dates: May 13th to June 5th plus a pre-departure meeting in late April/early May
- Student Cap: 10
The Projects:
Exploring Human Responses to the Pleistocene-Holocene Transition, San Rafael Desert (UT): May 13th to 22nd
Compared to other regions less is known about the occupants of the San Rafael Desert (SRD) at the end of the last Ice Age. For this project we will be surveying portions of the SRD to record previously unknown archaeological sites with a specific goal of finding sites dating to this transitional period. This project will be contributing to doctoral research being completed by Abby Baka at the University of Utah.
Break: May 23rd to 26th
Students will be transported back to Ogden for a four day break. Please note housing options are not provided during these four days.
Revisiting the Colby Mammoth site, Big Horn Basin (WY): May 27th to June 5th
Originally excavated in the 1970s, the Colby Mammoth site is a mammoth kill site that contains the remains of at least seven mammoths hunted by people approximately 12,800 years ago. For the last few years Dr. Bree Doering (University of Wyoming) and myself have been working on reanalyzing the existing collection to understand more about this unusual site. This summer, using ground penetrating radar, augers, and likely test units we will be returning to the Colby site to look for potential additional archaeological deposits.
Students and the instructor will be car camping at sites near the project areas during field sessions. No plumbing, electricity, or reliable cell service may be available at campsites. Students should be comfortable camping and working outside in variable weather conditions. Apart from travel days, students should expect to work approximately eight hours a day and be comfortable hiking at least five to seven miles.
Enrollment Information:
Please email Madeline Mackie (madelinemackie (at) weber.edu) for information on applying for the course.
Applications will initially be reviewed after the primary February 9th deadline and will continue to be accepted, pending space, until the end of March
FAQs:
- When should I apply by/When will I hear about permission to register?
- I will begin reviewing applications starting on February 9th. You are welcome to turn in your applications after this preferred deadline, but priority will be given to applications before this date. Priority will also be given to WSU students, and, if necessary based on seniority/completed units to ensure on-time graduations.
- After February 9th applications will continue to be reviewed until March 30th based on cap availability. Depending on the number of applications, we may place students on a wait list.
How do I get permission to register for the course?
- Please email Madeline Mackie for more information on applying for the course
- Once I have reviewed applications I will be in contact about how to register for the course through Study Abroad. You cannot register for the course without getting my permission.
I'm not from Weber State can I still apply?
- Yes! You are welcome to apply if you are not a Weber State student and encourage you to reach out with any questions. We will be giving preference to Weber State students, but all are welcome.
How hard is archaeological work? What should I be prepared for?
- Students will be expected to work about 8 hours per day each day in the field. This will include a wide variety of tasks including hiking, digging, screening, note taking, unloading gear, and more. You should be prepared and capable of hiking five to seven miles especially during survey training. Fieldwork demands patience and can be physically challenging especially in the unpredictable weather both Utah and Wyoming offer during late spring/early summer.
- Students and the instructor will also be responsible for assisting in camp chores including rotating through cooking and cleaning duties each day.
How much does this course cost? What does that include? When are the fees due?
- Fees will be paid and managed by the WSU Study Abroad Office and will be $1800 for this six-unit course. This includes tuition, lab supplies, camping fees, food, and transportation during both sessions. You will be responsible for your food, transportation, and lodging during our four day break.
- A $200 deposit is due within 72 hours of registration and the remainder of the fees are due before the trip departs in mid-May. The Study Abroad Office is also happy to set up a payment program with you if you would like to pay in increments before the trip. If you are a non-Weber State student you will also have to apply as a non-degree seeking student and pay for acceptance to Weber State ($30) before you will be able to officially register for the course through the Study Abroad Office.
Where will we be staying?
- At both projects we will be tent camping. You will need to provide your own tent and camping gear including a good sleeping bag (see gear list below). You can expect the campsites to have pit toilets/porta potties, but no running water or electricity with poor cell service. Showers will be available a few times each session.
What does the food look like?
- We will prepare meals during sessions out of a camp kitchen that are delicious and satisfy a variety of dietary needs. A food survey asking about dietary restrictions will be circulated before the course. Students are expected to work in teams to prepare pre-planned meals and complete camp chores. Breakfast is frequently simple such as oatmeal or granola, lunch will often be sandwiches packed in the morning, and dinner will be hot meals like pasta, tacos, stews, etc. We can accommodate the majority of dietary restrictions and also do our best to meet food preferences, but accommodating all preferences may not always be possible.
What are the prerequisites?
- Prerequisites including Anth 2030: Principles of Archaeology (or equivalent introductory class), one upper division archaeology course (e.g., Anth 3100, 3200, 3400), and consent of the instructor. If you are missing any prerequisites or have any questions please reach out!
Is there any financial support available to help pay for this course?
- Weber State Study Abroad offers the Opportunity Award ($200-1000, March 1 deadline) and also has information on scholarships available for Weber State and general students.
- A number of archaeological organizations offer scholarships to help offset field school costs including the SAA Native American Scholarships, SAA Student Excellence in Archaeology Scholarship (SEAS), and the AIA Waldbaum Scholarship
- Thanks to a generous grant from the Far Western Foundation awarded to Abby Baka (our collaborator on the San Rafael Desert project) there are tuition, fee, and stipend awards available for up to two Indigenous students for the 2024 fieldwork. For more information and to learn how to apply please contact Abby Baka ([email protected]).
I'm potentially interested in this field school, but what other options are out there?
- We would be happy to have you, but also understand there are many options out there and you need to find the best fit! In addition to cold googling to find potential field schools a few organizations maintain lists that may be useful including the Archaeological Institute of America and the Register of Professional Archaeologists.
- If you are a Weber State anthropology major considering another field school we are happy to help! Reach out to our program coordinator or myself and we can ensure that the field school you are considering will count toward your major requirement.
I've already attended a field school can I still come to this one?
- All students are welcome to attend this field school even if they have already completed one. Alternatively, I expect to have some volunteer/research opportunists this summer for students who have already completed a field school or you may be able to visit this field school for a portion of the sessions. For more details on this please contact me.
Got more questions?
- Please feel free to email me ([email protected]) or stop by my office LH 236!
Im interested in supporting the Weber State Field School. Is there a place I can donate?
- Thank you for your interested in supporting us! Donation information can be found using the button below!
Gear List:
Must Bring:
- Tent
- I highly recommend a tent with a good fly. Look for one that has a fly that touches the ground on all sides. If you are looking for affordable options yard sales or outdoor outlets are always good options
- Good tent stakes (especially if your tent comes with small/weak stakes)
- Sleeping bag
- Hiking/work boots
- Shower sandals
- Socks (5+ pairs)
- Warm layers (e.g., long sleeve shirts, sweater, fleece zip up)
- Rain jacket
- Warm hat
- Sturdy pants (3+)
- Tee-shirts (5+)
- Swimsuit
- Toiletries (Toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat/baseball hat
- Work gloves
- Bandana or buff
- Day pack (does not have to be fancy, but something you are comfortable wearing hiking)
- Water bottles (you should be able to carry at least 3L water in your pack each day)
- Towel
- Rechargeable battery for phone (electricity will be limited, do not assumed there will be a place to recharge)
- Alarm clock (or you’ll need to find a friend make sure you get up on time)
- Headlamp/flashlight/lantern
- Sunscreen
- A good attitude!
- Sleeping bag liner (you will get dirty, it's nice to not pass that onto your sleeping bag)
- Camera
- Camping pillow
- Rain pants
- Sleeping pad/cot (desert ground can be very hard)
- A camp chair (sitting on the ground gets old fast)
- Books/crafts/entertainment