Public Archaeology Field School
at Lewis and Clark National Park and Cannon Beach, Oregon
June 26 to July 28, 2023
Students can apply to join a team from Portland State University, Washington State University Vancouver, and the National Park Service to explore sites on the Oregon and Washington Coast. The field school will conduct survey of lands within the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park in Oregon and Washington, including locations associated with the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Middle Village, and the maritime fur trade. Students will also perform test excavations at the NeCus’ Village site in Cannon Beach, Oregon. NeCus’ was the location of a Native American village site and stopping point for travel along the coast, and a location visited by the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Become proficient in archaeological field techniques, including site identification, testing, and excavation, while you participate in an award-winning field research program. Employ mobile information technology in a variety of field situations, including field excavation. Work with experts in remote sensing including ground-penetrating radar (GPR) in workshops and lectures to integrate geophysical data into the exploration of past people through their belongings.
Acquire skills in laboratory processing of artifacts, basic artifact identification, and techniques of archaeological analysis, including Native American and European American material culture in the region. Learn skills from National Park Service interpreters and public archaeology experts on how to engage with the public and explore the meaning of archaeology with children and adults from many communities.
Students must apply by May 1, 2023.
Course Specifics:
This is an intensive course of hands-on study, requiring attendance for the entire length of the five-week course, including four weeks on the Oregon Coast. There are a limited number of spots available for this course.
The tentative class schedule is as follows:
Monday, June 26th to Friday, June 30th:
Location:
Fort Vancouver National Historic Site in Vancouver, Washington
Schedule:
Class will be held Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. The week will include an introduction to the basics of fieldwork, survey, site recording, artifact identification, interpretation, project specifics, etc., in preparation for the four weeks at the coast.
Details:
Students will need to provide their own transportation to and from the site each day, as well as food and lodging.
(No class Monday July 3rd and Tuesday July 4th)
Wednesday, July 5th to Friday, July 28th:
Location:
Oregon and Washington coast, with work at Lewis and Clark National Historical Park and Cannon Beach, Oregon
Schedule:
We will leave for the coast in the morning of Wednesday, July 5th.
Field school will be conducted Wednesday, July 5th through Saturday, July 8th for this week. Then, field school will run Monday through Friday, starting on July 10th and continuing through July 28th.
We will return from the coast in the afternoon of Friday, July 28th.
Students will have Sunday, July 9th, and the following Saturdays and Sundays as days off. Food and camp sites will also be provided for students on these days.
Details:
The field school will be camping during this period. Students will need to provide their own camping gear, toiletries, etc. Amenities at the camp site will include tent spots, portable toilets, and drinking water. Please be aware that the camp location is relatively remote. There is access to the beach, hiking trails, a bakery/coffee shop, and a bus stop approximately 0.5 miles walking distance from the camp. No personal vehicles are allowed at the camp site.
Transportation will be provided to the coast on Wednesday, July 5th, and the return trip on Friday, July 28th. Transportation to and from the work sites each day will also be provided. Transportation to off-site showers and services (stores, laundromat) will be provided on a limited basis.
Food will be provided for this period, starting with dinner on Wednesday, July 5th and concluding with lunch on Friday, July 28th.
Learning Objectives:
- Research Design: implementation of a research design through the collection and preparation of field samples, examination of different ways to collect information, adjustment of research designs based on finds and contingencies, exploration of reasoning, ethical considerations.
- Critical Thinking: appropriate techniques for analysis and interpretation of archaeological phenomena including how to make inferences from material culture data, understanding and interpretation of site taphonomic and formation processes, and comparison and assessment of different ways of viewing the past through historical documents, oral traditions, and archaeological resources.
- Communication: field writing skills, including the distinct separation of observation from interpretation, development of inferences and arguments based on data, analytical writing skills through written assignments, an understanding of measurement systems and numerical recording systems in archaeological data collection, the presentation of numerical data in in-field inference and analysis, and interpretation to the public through public engagement.
- Professional Etiquette: appropriate ways to work with other team members in research and to engage constructively with site visitors, including indigenous communities, youth groups, and the general public.
Registration
Portland State University
- Courses: ANTH 454 (6 undergraduate credits) or ANTH 554 (6 graduate credits)
- Contact: Katie Wynia, M.A., kwynia@pdx.edu, or Dr. Douglas Wilson; doug@pdx.edu or (360) 921-5241
- Cost: Estimate of tuition and fees. In addition, a course fee of approximately $700 will be assessed for food and transportation costs, and to replace consumable field gear and equipment. If you are on financial aid, please email Doug_Wilson@nps.gov for further information
- APPLY
Washington State University-Vancouver
- Courses: ANTH 399 (6 undergraduate credits) or ANTH 599 (6 graduate credits)
- Contact: Dr. Colin Grier; Dr. Grier: cgrier@wsu.edu
- Cost: Estimate of tuition and fees. In addition, a course fee of approximately $750 will be assessed for food and transportation costs, and to replace consumable field gear and equipment. If you are on financial aid, please email cgrier@wsu.edu for further information.
- APPLY