... MOUNTAINS AND PLAINS ...

The University of Wyoming 2008 Archaeology Field School

 

32^nd ANNUAL FIELD SCHOOL

FOR UNDERGRADUATE  AND GRADUATE STUDENTS

 

The class provides professional-level training in field research methods at several Wyoming locations, emphasizing rapid reconnaissance of new archaeological areas, systematic surface survey, initial site testing and mapping,  and precise excavation of stratified geological/cultural deposits.  We produce entry-level professionals qualified for employment on research and CRM crews.  Any UWAFS-08 member can volunteer for more excavation experience at other UW research projects during or after the Field School, and we often can help with employment opportunities during the second half of the summer.  UWAFS-2008 is a good place to find out if you want to pursue a career involving field excavation and survey.  Be prepared to spend half of a summer "living and breathing" archaeology. View Poster (.pdf)

 

Juniors, seniors and graduate students are preferred, but we can accept Anthropology majors with less background (e.g. only an "Introductory" course) who are trying to "get a jump on the competition", or students from other majors who just want to experience field archaeology.

 

The Field School is based on three Main Field School Sessions (10-day sessions separated by 4-day breaks), along with an optional but strongly recommended Professional Workshop set.  Preference is always given to applicants wanting the three main Field School sessions, but it is often possible to sign up instead for a one or two session "Field Class" version.  Students seeking to maximize the number of summer credit hours also can consider additional supplemental credit (e.g. an Independent Study research project or an Internship).

 

Please note that we can offer In-State Resident Tuition  rates to all Field School/Field Class students.

 

Professional Orientation Workshops (June 9-13 ) will be held at High Plains Archaeology Project facilities in the small southeastern Wyoming town of Pine Bluffs.  Morning and afternoon sessions will delve into Plains cultural chronology, flint knapping and basic lithic analysis, bison osteology, use of mapping instruments, excavation control systems, historical archaeology, public archaeology, and other topics.  The Workshops also include a number of field trips to sites in the area

 

Field School Session 1 (June 17-26) and Session 2 (July 1 -July 10)  will range out into the  Pine Bluffs, the Horse Creek Breaks, and the Laramie Mountains.  The HPA Project is a long term research and public education effort investigating numerous sites in southeast Wyoming, western Nebraska, and northeast Colorado.  HPA sites include the Pine Bluffs Site (48LA312), with over 6 meters of stratified deposits extending from the Early Historic Frontier era back to Paleoindian times. Other research sites include stone circle (tipi ring) sites, prehistoric butte-top defensive fortresses, rock shelters, bison kill sites, Early Historic homesteads and ranches, an 1880's US Cavalry training base, and many other site types.  HPA facilities include the High Plains Archaeology Museum and Field Lab, and the Windows on the Past Interpretive Center (built over the top of an active excavation area at the Pine Bluffs Site), a dining hall, and a field camp area in the bluffs above the town.

 

 

Session 1 will be devoted to training in site reconnaissance and formal pedestrian survey and mapping techniques in the Pine Bluffs “stone circle landscape,” where 2500 tipi rings have been documented.  In 2008 we will continue survey in several new zones, and we also will expand our reconnaissance into the Horse Creek Breaks, another impressive set of "scarp woodlands" about 25 miles north of Pine Bluffs.

 

Session 2 will involve a shift from site mapping and recording to an emphasis on site testing procedures in the Horse Creek and Pine Bluffs area.  This work will involve known sites but also new sites depending on Session 1 discoveries.  For the latter part of Session 2 we are working with landowners to set up a survey and testing program at several sites in the scenic Vedauwoo area of the Laramie Range about 75 miles to the west of Pine Bluffs.

 

Field School Session 3 (July 16-25) will move to the Black Hill of northeast Wyoming  and the Vore Buffalo Jump (48CK301), one of the largest and most intricately stratified kill sites in the world.  It has been estimated that the butchered remains of 10,000–20,000 bison are encased in the 6 meter-deep deposits at the bottom of the large Vore Site sinkhole.  A companion project phase will conduct surveys and test rock shelters in the northern Black Hills of Wyoming and South Dakota.  (please note 5-day break between Sessions 2 and 3 …).

 

COURSE INSTRUCTORS:

Dr. Charles Reher and Academic Research Scientist Mr. Rick Weathermon

 

COURSE STRUCTURES AND COSTS:

Costs are outlined here but please confirm the (complex) UW Tuition/Fees structure during enrollment.

Summer School One-Time Fees and Additional Fees/Credit Hour :

+ $101.05 (Summer School Fees $63.55 + 37.50)

+ $13.94/cr. hr. (Fee) (up to max. $108.30)

+ $7.98/cr. hr. (Fee) (up to max. $95.76)

Tuition:

+ $94/cr. hr. (Resident Workshop and any Supplemental Classes)

   [ or ] $322/cr. hr. (NonResident Workshop and Supplemental Classes)

+ $94/cr. hr. (Resident and NonResident Field School/Field Class) 

Field School  Fee/Credit Hour :  

+ $245/cr. hr. (Resident and NonResident Field School/Field Class)

 

Professional Orientation Workshops

Anth. 4975 (Sec. 1&2)(call #31479, 1480)( 1 cr. hr. ea Sec.= 2 cr. hrs.) (optional)

Resident	(Summer School Fees and Fees/Cr. Hr.) + (Tuition)	=  $332.89
[ or ] NonResident	(Summer School Fees and Fees/Cr. Hr.) + (Tuition)	= $788.89
Food Purchases	.$10.00/da. (*)	=  $50.00
Manual /Supplies	.$25.00  (**)	=  $25.00
TOTAL	In State  ($407.89) [ or ] Out-of-State  ($863.89)

 

 

Wyoming Archaeology Field School

Anth. 4140 (1) (#31478) (6 cr. hrs.)

All Tuition / Fees	(Summer School Fees and Fees/Cr. Hr.) + (Tuition)	=  $796.57
Field School  (*)	(Field School Fee/Cr. Hr.)	= $1470.00
TOTAL	($2266.57)
+ Manual (**)	(+ .$25.00)
+ Field Kit (***)	+ .$50.00

(*) (three 10-day Sessions;  Fee provides for all food, supplies, teaching/teaching assistance, daily transportation, etc.)

(**) (Manual cost if not already purchased as part of Professional Workshop above)

(***)(excavation and mapping supplies and tools purchased as needed, detailed lists provided)

 

 [ or ] Wyoming Archaeology Field Class

Anth. 4140 (1) (#31478) (2 [ or ] 4 cr. hrs.)

All Tuition /Fees	(Summer School Fees and Fees/Cr. Hr.) + (Tuition)	$332.89 [ or ] $564.73
Field Class (*)	(Field Class Fee/Cr. Hr.)	$490.00 [ or ] $980.00
TOTAL	($822.89) (2 cr. hrs.) [ or ] ($1544.73) (4 cr. hrs.)
+  Manual (**)	(+ .$25.00)
+ Field Kit (***)	+ .$50.00

(*) (one or two 10-day sessions - must be confirmed with Instructor before enrolling; additional information as noted above)

(**) (***) (as noted above)

 

( Supplemental Credit Possibilities )

Independent Study/Conference - Anth. 4000 (31481) - (1 cr. hr.) (optional)                            

[ or ] Professional Internship - Anth. 4970 (31483) - (1-2 cr. hrs.) (optional)

Supplemental Class(*)

(Summer School Fees and Fees/Cr. Hr.) + Resident [ or ] NonResident (Tuition)

(*) (additional/advanced experience; e.g. at HPA Project during Field School or subsequent sessions)

 

Fees and Tuition are usually listed byUW as due later in June (* even if you have not yet been “officially billed”),  but payment before the start of the Field School would be greatly appreciated.

 

REGISTRATION / ADMISSION:

1) Application and Acceptance - Complete a  Field School Application Form - Print or Fill In  (available at the Department Office, or  the Field School Web Site , or we can email you one. Drop off your Application Form at our Department mailbox in the Anthropology Building,  or mail it in, or email it to the Field School Director (address, email, phone below).  We will confirm your acceptance and get with you on any questions you might have.

 

2) UW Student Registration -  After your acceptance into the program, get in touch Anthropology Secretary Kathy Fowler  in the Anthropology Department front office,  who can enroll you into the Field School class ("restricted enrollment" so she has to enter you; she also can give you your  UW PERC Number for use with any other summer school registration procedures).

 

3) Non UW Student Admission and Registration -  Non UW students must apply for Admission to UW and then work with Sec. Fowler to get registered afterwards (as noted just above);  Admission procedures are fairly basic for summer classes (see contact information below) (be sure to apply for the “Nondegree Undergraduate” status to maintain the Resident Tuition rates).

 

TRANSPORTATION:

Transportation to and from the University campus and daily transportation to field locations during the Field Sessions is provided.  However, students are welcome to bring their own vehicle and convoy with us, or to travel to and from the field camp to destinations other than the Laramie campus (and to have a place to keep more personal possessions, and just generally for more personal flexibility during the evenings, etc.).  Arrangements should be confirmed well ahead of time if you will meet us at a camp locations rather than coming to Laramie.  In general we meet at the Anthropology Building at 7:30 a.m. on the first day of all Field Sessions, followed an hour or two of loading and taking care of final details before we travel.  Also count on getting back to Laramie (or your own destination) late on the last day of all Sessions after shutting down the field project and travel. 

 

LIVING ARRANGEMENTS:

The UW field research program is based on field tent camps.  Kitchen facilities and food are provided, but the student needs to provide personal gear, (including a tent and cot, or a camper, etc.), and to be otherwise prepared for 10 days of field living.  More details on clothing and camping equipment will be provided. 

 

EQUIPMENT:

All excavation and mapping equipment is supplied by the Field School Program, except for the individual excavation kit and manuals.

 

INSURANCE:

Basic health insurance coverage is required, as noted on the Application Form.

 

CONTACT INFORMATION:

University of Wyoming

Registration and Records	Admissions / Summer Admissions
Room 167, Knight Hall	Room 146, Knight Hall
Department 3960	Department 3435
1000 E. University Avenue	1000 E. University Avenue
University of Wyoming	University of Wyoming
Laramie, WY 82071	Laramie, WY  82071
(307) 766-5272	(307) 766-5160

Field School/Field Class

Kathy Fowler, Secretary	Dr. Charles A. Reher
Department of Anthropology	Director, UWAFS
Department 3431	Department 3431 - Anthropology
1000 E. University Avenue	1000 E. University Avenue
University of Wyoming	University of Wyoming
Laramie, WY  82071	Laramie, WY  82071
(307) 766-5136, Fax 766-2473	(307) 766-2208

(*  Field School Web Site  to be updated with 2008 information …)