US - Colorado - Fort Lewis College Archaeological Field School

An advanced field school is offered that runs simultaneous with the lower division field school

Fort Lewis College
1000 Rim Drive
Durango, CO 81301

Fort Lewis College

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Costs:
Resident tuition ($131/CrHr): $917.00 (for 7 credits after the resident (COF) stipend

Non-resident tuition ($642/CrHr): $4494.00 (for 7 credit hours)

Note: In addition there is a $186.20 (total) student fee and tuition charge assessed. This student fee is 1/2 that of the regular student fees due to the field school being off-campus. J

NA

$100.00 Course Fee

The Old Fort Lewis Campus began as a frontier military fort that operated from 1880-1891. In 1891 it was decommissioned and the land was transferred to the Office of Indian Education for use as an Indian Boarding. The Indian Boarding School operated from 1891-1910. Recently, with a grant from the Colorado Historic Fund, Fort Lewis College Archaeological Field School began a cultural resource inventory of the area immediately surrounding and including the Old Fort Lewis Campus.

The inventory to date has resulted in recording 35 archaeological sites. Most of the sites are historic and related to the military period; however, as we expand the survey beyond the limits of the immediate campus, we are encountering prehistoric sites. Five prehistoric sites were recorded during the 2008 field school. During the 2009 field school, we also recorded several culturally modified trees.

Plans for the 2010 field school include the following: continue with the archaeological survey at the Old Fort Lewis; conduct remote sensing at some of the sites that may have buried foundations or buried features other than foundations; find and document a number of scarred ponderosa trees (culturally modified) across the reservation; complete intensive mapping of several historic sites; and place test units in at least one prehistoric site. The field school has been invited to help with archaeological recording and mapping of a large prehistoric site on property owned by the Durango Nature Studies, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to "nature science and environmental education in the Four Corners."

This is a wonderful opportunity for students to experience the rich prehistoric and historic heritage of Southwest Colorado while gaining knowledge and skills in field archaeology. A field trip is planned to visit archaeological ruins and rock art across the Four Corners and along the San Juan River in Southeast Utah.

Depending on individual levels of experience and needs for field training, students may enroll in either ANTH-259 or ANTH-403. (See further course descriptions below.)

Enrollment Information

ANTH-259: Field Training in Archaeology (7 credit hours)

This course is designed for undergraduate students who have had no prior training in archaeology. Basic survey, excavation and mapping skills will be highlighted. Introduction to Archaeology preferred. This class is a requirement for the Cultural Resource Management Certificate.

ANTH-403: Advanced Archaeological Field Techniques (7 credit hours)

Designed for students who have taken ANTH-259, or who have had prior experience in archaeology. Advanced survey and excavation techniques are undertaken, along with practical instruction in field supervision, research design implementation, and reporting functions. The upper division credits may transfer as graduate credits at the discretion of the student's home institution. This course if an optional requirement for the Cultural Resource Management Certificate.

Prerequisite: ANTH-259 or permission of instructor.

Historic, Prehistoric, Geophysical

Historic Military 1881 - 1891
Ancestral Puebloan
Archaic

The field school site is about 15 miles from Durango. Students stay in Durango and we commute to the site as a group.

Students will commute to the field school site daily in school vans

M-F 8:30 - 4:30

No

Mona C. Charles

The Training

The 2010 field school will focus on techniques of archaeological survey, site documentation, field analysis of artifacts, remote sensing, and excavation.

Participants will receive training in traditional and non-traditional aspects of archaeological field methods and techniques. Included will be:


field test propositions
site mapping (total station)
subsurface testing, grid, and feature excavation
stratigraphic profile mapping and interpretation
soil and sediment identification and documentation
feature recording and mapping
collecting field samples
field photography
field artifact processing
remote sensing or geophysical prospecting
magnetic survey
electrical resistance survey

During laboratory sessions in the classroom and at the site, students will learn artifact preparation, field classification, computer coding techniques (MS Access) and initial field analysis and interpretation. Survey laboratory work will include UTM coordinate designations, recording environmental variables, and standard site survey documentation. In laboratory sessions, students will learn how to classify the different artifact types. Theoretical and methodological components of the training will emphasize environmental (ecological) archaeology and geoarchaeology. Further, students will be trained in interpreting the results of archaeological fieldwork to lay audiences.

Field Trips, Camping, River trip down the San Juan River

No

No

http://oldfort.fortlewis.edu/military.htm

Mona C. Charles
Department of Anthropology
1000 Rim Drive
Durango, CO 81301