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US - Alaska - Old Knik Townsite Archaeology Field School PDF Print E-mail

Field School

Old Knik Townsite Archaeology Field School



Application Deadline: 04/15/2006
Start Date: 06/05/2006
End Date: 07/07/2006

University, Company, Institution

University of Alaska Anchorage

Location of field School

Wasilla, Alaska
USA

    Field School Overview

  • Excavation: Yes
  • Historic: Yes
  • Time Period(s) Gold Rush Era
  • Rural: Yes
  • Drive to site: Yes

Project Directors

David R. Yesner, Professor of Anthropology, University of Alaska Anchorage, AK
Fran Seager-Boss, Cultural Resource Specialist, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK

Field School Description

This field school involves the complete excavation of the Gold Rush Era house of a traditional Dena'ina Athapaskan Indian chief. This large semisubterranean house is probably for an extended matrilineal family, and appears to be of a traditional style with a central hearth, sleeping benches, and steam bath room, and is expected to contain both Euro-American and Athapaskan Indian materials. The house sits on a high bench above Knik Lake at the mouth of a traditional salmon fishing stream. It is located close to a known historic Gold Rush era cemetery as well as a number of other Native houses. Students will learn all aspects of traditional excavation techniques, including site mapping and profiling, as well as use of laser transits and site photography. Students will also learn field laboratory processing and cataloging, and lectures will be given on geoarchaeology, zooarchaeology, and artifact analysis. Tours will be made of local museums and historic sites. There are numerous


Field school web site: www.uaa.alaska.edu/anthropology Field School Size: 1-15
Minimum age: 18
Is prior experience required?: No

Specialized skills you will have the opportunity to learn

Manual Mapping/drawing (plan views, profiles): Yes
Total Station EDM mapping: Yes
Manual Transit: Yes
Compass mapping survey: Yes
Traditional Photography: Yes
Digital Photography: Yes
Excavation Survey Techniques: Yes
Interpreting stratigraphy: Yes
Soils: Yes
Restoration and conservation of artifact: Yes
Lab work: Yes
Artifact analysis: Yes
Fauna identification: Yes
Lectures: Yes
Lab work on rain days?: Yes

Is travel during free time restricted?: No

Additional information for students: Field conditions are optimal in the "sunny Knik" area. Temperatures are usually in the 70s, and range from the 50s to 80s. Site is on a secondary road within walking distance of restaurant, museum, and other facilities. The field school will be held on WeThFrSaSu to give opportunities for weekend volunteers and off-time for field school participants. All registrants will be sent a detailed letter specifiying what to bring, local activities, etc.

Academic, Credit Room and Board, & Tuition

Academic Credit: Yes
Number of Credits: 4
Tuition: $110 per credit hour (undergrad)
Institution offering credit: University of Alaska Anchorage
Room and Board Information: Low student fees cover supplies and equipment, and provide small salaries for graduate student supervisors. Students provide their own food; a small field kitchen will be available. Optional dormitory rooms are available on the UAA campus for $40 per night.
Room and board cost: $475 fees for 5 week excavation (ca. $100 per week)

Archaeology field school contact

David R. Yesner
Department of Anthropology, University of Alaska, 3211 Providence Drive
Anchorage, AK 99508
USA
Telephone: (907) 786-6845, 786-6840 (sec.'y)
Fax: (907) 786-6850
E-mail: afdry@uaa.alaska.edu, mammothman@gci.net