Archaeological Field Techniques

The goal of this course is to familiarize the student with the major aspects of archaeological excavation, from planning to actual excavation and retrieval of material, followed by processing and recording of the artifacts, their study and interpretation, and production of a final report.

We are fortunate to have the opportunity to excavate in the historic district of Freedman’s Town, which is the only remaining, post-Civil War, National Historic District of previously enslaved peoples in the United States. We will be working in collaboration with the Yates Museum Community Archaeology Project and the Community Archaeology Research Institute (CARI). This project has an important community mission to understand the impact of the African Diaspora on different communities and to use archaeology to build bridges among their descendents. Since descendents of some of the founding owners in Freedman’s Town are still living there, there will be opportunities to collect oral histories that will help the interpretation of the excavated materials.

Contributed by Rice University.