FIELD METHODS IN ARCHAEOLOGY

Southern Methodist University announces its 2005 Summer Field Program in Archaeology.  Participants in the course will receive five weeks of intensive archaeological field experience in the beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Taos, New Mexico while contributing to the region’s rich prehistoric record. Our research in 2005 will be focused on the Clements Site, a large Middle to Late Archaic base camp nearly a kilometer in length that was originally discovered on survey by field school students during the 2004 season. This important site contains a complex array of hearths (profile photo, plan photo of hearth excavation), stone artifacts (projectile points, choppers, etc.), chipped stone concentrations, and stone cairns that appear to be the remains of repeated occupations by small groups of hunter-gatherers over thousands of years. Working with professional archaeologists, students will take part in excavations  at the Clements Site as well as survey in the surrounding valley, the result of which will be a major and lasting contribution to our understanding of pre-agricultural settlement and mobility dynamics in this part of the American Southwest.

Students will participate in the field school as members of an ongoing research program.  The course demands a high level of responsibility in observing, recovering and analyzing archaeological resources. Each student will be involved in the full spectrum of field methods, including archaeological survey, site excavation techniques, sampling strategies, data recording (including Total Station mapping and photography), laboratory processing and materials analysis, as well as interpretation and web-based report preparation. Participants will also take day-long and overnight field trips to other major archaeological sites in the region, including Taos and Picuris Pueblos, Bandelier National Monument, and Chaco Canyon National Park. Evening lectures on Southwestern prehistory and archaeological methods will be given by Dr. Michael Adler and Dr. Severin Fowles, Co-directors of the field school, guest lecturers and graduate student crew chiefs.    

FACILITIES

Participants will reside on the Fort Burgwin campus, an interdisciplinary research and teaching facility located at an elevation of 7,500 feet in a mountain valley ten miles south of Taos, New Mexico.  The campus covers 300 acres, surrounded by Carson National Forest.  Participants will camp in tents on the north end of the campus, with the option of staying in the residential dormitories for an additional cost.  All field school students will be required to purchase a meal plan at the campus dining hall because there will be no cooking fires allowed on the Fort Burgwin campus.  We will also be using the Fort Burgwin classrooms, archaeology lab, laundry and computer laboratory located on the campus.

SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT

Beginning in 2005 we will be offering tuition scholarships for BOTH SMU and non-SMU students.  Clements scholarships can cover up to 6 credits of tuition costs ($3000) for SMU students.  A maximum of 4 tuition scholarships of $3000 each will also be awarded to non-SMU students.  All of these scholarships will be competitive, with awards based on the applicant's academic excellence, GPA, one letter of reference, and a short personal statement. 

There is also the option of enrolling in the 9-credit-hour version of the course (ANTH 5981).  Students enrolling in ANTH 5981 are required to complete an additional research project during the summer in addition to the requirements of the 6-creadit-hour field school course.  The research project is set up in consultation with the project directors and should be completed by the end of the field research course. 

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORMS

Students who are currently enrolled at SMU as full-time students will need to download and submit both an application form and scholarship request form.  These forms can also be obtained at the SMU-in-Taos office located in Room 338, Laura Lee Blanton Building (6185 Airline Drive, Dallas, TX  75275).  For additional information, please email SMU-in-Taos or call 214-768-3657.

Students currently enrolled at other universities or colleges who wish to apply for the field school will also need to submit an application form to the SMU-in-Taos office.  Application forms and instructions for scholarship support can be downloaded here.   The scholarship applications need to be postmarked by March 1, 2005, and should be sent to Dr. Michael Adler, Department of Anthropology, 3225 Daniels Avenue, Dallas, TX   75275-0336.

ADMISSION TO PROGRAM

The field course is open to both graduate and undergraduate students who are in good standing with their universities.  Academic credit is awarded on a semester-hour basis and is transferable to other institutions.  All students not attending Southern Methodist University must apply for admission as Summer-Only students, but all applicants compete for field school admittance on an equal basis.  Students may enroll for six or nine credit hours, but should first check with their advisors.  We draw participants from universities across the nation, and encourage all to apply for admission.

FIELD PROGRAM DATES:

Arrival, Fort Burgwin:         May 26, 2005

Departure:                             July 1, 2005

 ANTH 5681 (6 hours) and ANTH 5981 (9 hours) Field Methods in Archaeology

Directors:  Dr. Michael Adler and Dr. Severin Fowles

COSTS:  Tuition (6 credit hours) and Board  (Tuition) $3000; (Board) $1,093.75: Lab Fee: $60

$1,153.75 total with scholarship

$4,153.75 total without scholarship

COSTS:  Tuition (9 credit hours) and Board  (Tuition) $4500; (Board) $1,093.75: Lab Fee: $60

$2,653.75 total with scholarship covering 6 semester hours of credit

$5,653.75 total without scholarship

Enrollment is limited to 16 students on a competitive basis.  Applications must be received by MARCH 1, 2005 will have priority. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION: