#field schools

[chaotic-archaeologist]

I did my field school through the Institute for Field Research (IFR) they have a really wide range of selection (at the time the only field school active in Polynesia was through them) and a friend who did the Cahokia field school had a really great time

As for my experience it was uhhhh bad. I’d just caution folks to

1. Do research on the PI(s)

2. Multiple PIs is a good thing

3. Aim for established field schools that have been around for a while

Field schools definitely have that unfortunate possibility. To me, word of mouth is the best way to vet a field school—I've been to a well established one that was a pretty terrible experience. It's always a good idea to ask around about a field school and the PIs before attending.

-Reid

[chaotic-archaeologist]

I went to CSU Chico's Basin and Range field school last summer. It is broken into two sessions, one in the Sierra Nevada mountains and one in the Nevada desert, so it's perfect for people like me who plan to make a career on the western edge of the Great Basin. It covers all the basics of surveying and excavation (I went in with no previous experience and came out able to start successfully working part-time for a local CRM company) and the professors are engaging and endlessly patient with questions. All told, a pretty amazing experience. I am not a Chico student but that was no barrier to my attendance.

-Reid

[chaotic-archaeologist]

i’m doing field school at range creek with the university of utah this next summer!!

-Reid

[chaotic-archaeologist]

Michigan Tech has a pretty neat field school that just kicked off the start of a multi-year project: exploring one of the mines and surrounding village located in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula. A small but mighty program worth looking into

-Reid

[chaotic-archaeologist]

Archaeology opportunity recommendation: the New Hampshire SCRAP field school.

They invite volunteers of the general public, whether experienced or not, to aid in excavation of various sites for two 14 day field schools each summer. Sites are all across the state of NH, mostly at state parks (so you can camp nearby the site) and often excavating periods of pre-contact Native American life. The field school is led by the NH state archaeologist. I particiated with one last June; it was a fun and informative experience that gave me a ton of networking opportunities, too. I also volunteer at the lab during the winter months processing the artifacts from the previous summer, so it's a pretty well-rounded learning process. There's also an option to get college credits from the field school program.

Here's the website:

https://www.nhas.org/scrap

Thanks!

-Reid

[chaotic-archaeologist]

the Blackfriary Archaeology Field School in Trim, Ireland is amazing! they accept students from all over and offer an accredited course in excavation and recording. you can find more info at bafs.ie

-Reid

[chaotic-archaeologist]

Is it okay to rec a field school that's taking a year off for 2024 but will be back for future field seasons?

Unfortunately right now I'm going to pass on that, unless their website specifies that they'll be running it in 2025. This also goes for programs that don't have a website for their field schools.

-Reid