Archeological Field Methods offers students six weeks of engaging, hands-on skills training typical of an archeological field school. Alongside a current University of Texas at Austin instructor, students will participate in areas of excavation at the Stephenson Nature Preserve and process and catalog artifacts at the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory.
At the end of this course, students will possess a general knowledge and understanding of the equipment, technology, and paperwork used in the recording and documenting of archeological sites and artifacts, gain experience with local cultural history and material culture in Texas, and be able to conduct field surveys using topographic maps, aerial photographs, and Trimble Global Positioning Satellite receivers. Students who successfully complete this course will be prepared to enter various archeological field technician roles.
This course is conducted in collaboration with the Texas Historical Commission and is open to the public.
About the Site
The Stephenson Nature Preserve is a private ranch 25 miles southeast of Winslow that still raises cattle and bison. The ranch contains some of the Southwest’s most spectacular rock art with more than 3000 glyphs, which have been completely documented, dating from 5000 BCE to 1400 CE. The ranch lies in the high desert at 5100’ elevation, in an area used over the past 13,000 years by mobile hunting and gathering groups, early farmers, and later, after 500 CE, by ceramic-producing, sedentary farmers representing archaeological cultures of the adjacent Mogollon Rim and Colorado Plateau regions. No professional archaeological work had been conducted on the ranch or its nearest neighbors, other than documentation of the petroglyphs, until the fieldschool began in 2011.
Course Schedule
This course takes place every Saturday from February 29, 2019 to April 4, 2019. Class meets from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
| Date(s) | Activity | Location |
| February 29 | Orientation | Stephenson Nature Preserve |
| March 7 - March 21 | Field Work | Stephenson Nature Preserve |
| March 28 | Lab Analysis and Artifact Curation | Texas Archeological Research Laboratory |
| April 4 | Wrap-Up | Texas Archeological Research Laboratory |
Enrollment and Tuition Information
This course is available on a credit or non-credit basis. Meals are not included in tuition.
Credit
Tuition: $900
Course Number: ANT 362: Field Archeology
Prerequisites: Students must have taken ANT 302: Cultural Anthropology and have received approval from their academic advisor prior to registration. ANT 304T: Introduction to Texas Archeology is suggested but not required.
To register, students should contact uex@austin.utexas.edu.
Non-Credit
Tuition: $595
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for non-credit enrollment.
To register, students should complete and return the Enrollment Form to uex@austin.utexas.edu.
Additional Information
On field work days, students should plan to wear long pants and tennis shoes or hiking boots. They should also plan to bring water, lunch, thick work gloves, bug spray, and sunscreen to the field site.
Parking will be available for free at the Stephenson Nature Preserve. Students will be issued a parking pass for the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory.
This class requires all participants to complete and sign a University Release and Indemnification Agreement before being considered enrolled in the class.
About the Instructor
Jonathan Jarvis
Jonathan Jarvis is a professional archeologist with extensive experience conducting field work in some of the most remote corners of Texas. Currently, he serves as the Associate Director of the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory.
For questions regarding the registration process:
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