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US - Utah - Milford Archaeological Research Institute PDF Print E-mail

Archaeology Field School

Milford Archaeological Research Institute

 

Application Deadline: FILLED
Field School Dates: June 19, 2006-July 3, 2006

 

University, College, Institution

Milford Archaeological Research Institute
Pasadena City College, 1570 East Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, California 91106

Location of Field School

Milford, (Beaver County) Utah
USA

Field School Overview

  • Field School Type: Excavation & Survey
  • Time Period(s) Fremont, Historic dairy also present at site
  • Field School Conditions: Remote/Rural
  • Field School Access: drive
  • Number of years for field school: 3


    Project Directors

    Mari A. Pritchard Parker, MS, RPA; Pasadena City College, Milford Archaeological Research Institute

    Field School Description

    The Milford Archaeological Research Institute project location is situated six miles south of the town of Milford, Utah. It encompasses a 46-acre lot containing the archaeological remains of a Fremont Village and a historic-era dairy. Participants at the Milford Archaeological Research Institute project site enjoy exposure to a wide array of archaeological techniques, ranging from hands-on instruction, to survey, formal excavation, mapping and photography, and laboratory experience. Note that most of the field sessions are offered during the summer, which tends to be the driest and hottest of the seasons in Utah. Contact mari_utah@hotmail.com for additional information regarding the field school schedule.


    Field school web site: www.pasadena.edu
    Field School Size: 1-15
    Minimum age: 17
    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
    Compass mapping survey: Yes
    Traditional Photography: Yes
    Excavation Survey Techniques: Yes
    Interpreting stratigraphy: Yes
    Lab work: Yes
    Artifact analysis: Yes

    Is travel during free time restricted?: No

    Additional information for students: In addition to the excavation and survey, the field crew will likely attend tours to local sites (eg. rock art, obsidian quarries, mines, caves, etc.) and nearby towns (such as Cedar City and/or Beaver, Utah). During rain days or inclement weather conditions, students may attend tours or conduct lab work or other special group activities.

    Academic, Credit Room and Board, & Tuition

    Academic Credit: Yes
    Number of Credits: 2 credits are offered through Pasadena City College; see www.pasadena.edu
    for information regarding tuition


    Room and Board Information: Limited Hotel Accommodations are available at two hotels in nearby Milford:
    Oak Tree Inn, 777 W Hwy 21, (435) 387-5266 AND/OR Milford Station Motel, 485 S 100 Weste, (435) 387-2481. The cost at both hotels is approximately $70/night

    Camping is also available at minimal cost: see www.utah.com/stateparks/minersville.htm

    Recommended readings

    D.B. Madsen, "." University of Utah Occasional Publication 8. Salt Lake City, UT 1989.

    John P. Staeck, Back to the Earth: An Introduction to Archaeology, Mayfield Publishing Co., Mountain View, California 2002.

    Linda Cordell, "Archaeology of the Southwest." 2nd edition. Academic Press, 1997.
    Web sites with additional information:
    www.onlineutah.com/milford.shtml



    Archaeology field school contact

    Mari A. Pritchard Parker
    Pasadena City College
    1570 East Colorado Boulevard
    Pasadena, CA 91106
    USA
    (213) 309-8854
    mari_utah@hotmail.com

    Milford Archaeological Research Institute
    5905 El Mio Drive, Highland Park, CA 90042
    or
    1085 Emerald Mtn Pkwy, Wetumpka, AL 36093
    mari_utah@hotmail.com


    Summary

    The Fremont culture is one of the least studied and understood of the North American southwestern culture groups. Many of the sites attributed to the Fremont are recognizable only as highly deteriorated, melted adobe mounds, which are not as visually identifiable as are the stone structures built by Anasazi groups of the Four Corners area of North America. Thus, the Fremont sites have not had the same appeal to the general public, nor have they been the subject of comparably extensive archaeological inquiry. The Milford Valley, where the project site is situated, has a 10,000 year occupation history that has been documented with the recovery of obsidian Colvis points, made from obsidian that has been sourced to the Mineral Mountains - immediately northeast of the town of Milford, Utah, and the project area.

    Quotes from former students

    "This is such a great opportunity for us to be involved in the archaeological community" - Heather, 2005
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