US - Texas - 2010 Courson Archaeological Research Field School

Week One: May 24 to May 28, 2010

Week Two: May 31, 2010 to June 4, 2010

South of Perryton, Texas (i.e., NE Texas Panhandle)

West Texas A&M

One to three hours

Contact for additional information

Free camping is avaiable. Participants may also stay in a local motel.

With Meals One Week: $100.00 Two Weeks: $150.00

Without Meals One Week: $50.00 Two Weeks: $75.00

Courson Archaeological Research will be hosting an archaeological field school outside of Perryton, Texas from May 24th through June 4th, 2010. Excavations will be conducted at three primary sites: Chill Hill (41RB132), Eastview (41RB153), and Spider Peak. Chill Hill is a large, Late Middle Ceramic period (A.D. 1415 to A.D. 1440) village site. The occupants of this settlement were intensive bison hunters and were heavily involved in trade with the eastern Pueblos of New Mexico. Eastview is a small Middle Ceramic period settlement that was attacked and destroyed about A.D. 1350. Excavations here will concentrate on two of the burned structures present at the site. Spider Peak is an Early Ceramic period defensive settlement located atop an isolated mesa. Additional opportunities include artifact processing in our field laboratory and participation in a systematic metal detecting survey. All field and laboratory work will be led by experienced personnel.

We will work Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm. Select evenings will include brief lectures and presentations that focus on the archaeology and history of the region. Otherwise, participants will have evenings off to relax and visit.

Excavation techniques will vary from site to site, but will include the investigation of residential structures and associated features (e.g., middens, hearths, roasting pits, and storage facilities), and test excavations. Participants will be trained in a wide variety of important techniques, including identifying and exposing cultural features, mapping and recording of artifacts, profiles, and features, coring, collecting specialized samples, photography, and water screening. Laboratory activities will include artifact identification, stabilization, and cleaning, cataloging, record keeping, soil flotation, and the cleaning of metal artifacts using electrolytic baths.

All participants will be expected to participate in field or laboratory work. Prior archaeological field or lab experience is desirable, but not required. Participants may sign up for one or two week long sessions. The total number of field school participants will be limited to 100, so apply early.

Prehistoric, historic, laboratory work, and possibly geophysical survey.

Early to Middle Ceramic and historic.

Fieldwork will be conducted at sites in the Canadian River valley. This valley contains rolling to rugged terrain offering dramatic vistas. Our field laboratory is contained within a permanent building at the Chill Hill site.

Participants can drive directly to the Chill Hill and Eastview sites. A short, nonstrenuous five minute hike is required to reach the Spider Peak site.

We will work Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 3:30. Participants will be free on weekends to tour and travel.

N/A

Project PI: Scott D. Brosowske, Ph.D.

Site PI's: Tod Bevitt, Mark Latham, Tiffany Osburn, Joe Rogers, Art Tawater.

Metal Detecting Survey PI's: Kelley Baker and Richard Mackie

Laboratory Director: Jenni Hatchett

Excavation techniques will vary from site to site, but will include the investigation of residential structures and associated features (e.g., middens, hearths, roasting pits, and storage facilities), and test excavations. Participants will be trained in a wide variety of important techniques, including identifying and exposing cultural features, mapping and recording of artifacts, profiles, and features, coring, collecting specialized samples, photography, and water screening. Laboratory activities will include artifact identification, stabilization, and cleaning, cataloging, record keeping, soil flotation, and the cleaning of metal artifacts using electrolytic baths.

Yes

Select evenings will include brief lectures and presentations that focus on the archaeology and history of the region. Otherwise, participants will have evenings of the relax and visit. Weekend site tours may be available if there is interest.

See above

No

http://coursonarchresearch.com/index.html

Scott D. Brosowske
1800 S. Main
Perryton, Texas 79070