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US - Maine - 2006 DRA Historic Archaeology Field School PDF Print E-mail

 

Field School

2006 DRA Historic Archaeology Field School



Application Deadline: June 15th, 2006
Field School Dates: Session #1: July 9-14; Session #2: July 16-21, 2006

University, College, Institution

Damariscotta River Association

Location of Field School

Damariscotta, Maine
USA


Field School Overview

  • Field School Type: Excavation of an eighteenth-century tavern site
    periods Historic: 1765-1803 School Conditions Rural: site is situated on mowed lawn
  • Field School Access: Drive to site
  • Number of years for field school: since 1997

     

    Project Directors Project Director: Timothy Dinsmore, archaeological consultant, historical archaeologist

    Assistant: to be determined

    Field School Description

    Archaeologist Tim Dinsmore will resume his research into the 18th-century Bryant-Barker Tavern site located along the west bank of the Damariscotta River in Newcastle, Maine. During the past seven years, field school participants have helped search for the tavern site by excavating test units across two properties overlooking the Damariscotta. In 2001, the exact location of the tavern site was discovered along with a profusion of artifacts and features dating to the period. The goal for the 2006 field season will be to define the outer walls to the structure and perhaps locate the chimney base and hearth. The site, once home to shipwright Nathaniel Bryant and his family, also served as a public tavern that was, "much resorted to by travelers." The site is significant in that it--along with a contemporary site known as the Hale site or George Barstow Homestead site--mark the birthplace of the shipbuilding industry on the upper Damariscotta. Locating and partially excavating the

    **Costs: $300 for one session or $475 for both sessions**




    Field school web site: DRA@DRACLT.ORG
    Field School Size: 1-15
    Minimum age: 14
    Is prior experience required?: No
    Recommended experience: no

    Specialized skills you will have the opportunity to learn

    Manual Mapping/drawing (plan views, profiles): Yes
    Manual Transit: Yes
    Excavation Survey Techniques: Yes
    Interpreting stratigraphy: Yes
    Soils: Yes
    Lab work: Yes
    Artifact analysis: Yes
    Evening Lectures: Yes, there will be a Sunday orientation with lecture
    Lab work on rain days?: Yes

    Rain days free: Yes

    Is travel during free time restricted?: No

    Academic, Credit Room and Board, & Tuition

    Academic Credit: No
    Room and Board Information: No room and board is provided. There are, however, numerous B & B's, and several motels in the region. If finding a place to stay is a problem please let us know.

    Recommended readings

    In Small Things Forgotten by James Deetz

    A Guide to Artifacts of Colonial America by Ivor Noel Hume

    Archaeology field school contact

    Mark DesMeules
    Damariscotta River Association
    Damariscotta
    Maine
    04543
    USA
    (207)563-1393
    DRA@DRACLT.ORG

    Summary

    The DRA archaeology field school program has been a huge success since its inception in 1997. Participanys have ranged from high school to an elderly student of 82! The Damariscotta region is picturesque and a great locality for studying historic sites of the colonial period. The Damariscotta River Association is a non-profit conservation organization that is invloved in the protection of local lands from development. In addition to natural landscapes the DRA has been involved in or sponsored several archaeology projects to help illminate the regions history. Archaeologist Tim Dinsmore has conducted extensive rersearch in the Damariscotta region on sites to the 17th and 18th centuries. The field school often has repeat participants that attest to the very success of the program.

    Quotes from former students

    Enjoyed the field school immensely! The project director was easy going and very knowledgable.
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