Range Creek Archaeological and Experimental Field School

Location: Range Creek Field Station, UT, US

Season: June 11, 2018 to August 1, 2018

Session Dates: The course will consist of four 10-day field sessions separated by 4-day breaks. All 4 sessions are required. One or two vehicles will return to Salt Lake City at the beginning of each break and students have the option of staying in camp or going to Salt Lake City Session 1: June 11-20 Session 2: June 25-July 4 Session 3: July 9-18 Session 4: July 23-Aug 01

Application Deadline: March 1, 2018

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: http://anthro.utah.edu/field-schools/archaeology-field-school.php

Program Type:
Field school

RPA Certified:
no

Affiliation:
Natural History Museum of Utah, University of Utah

Project Director:
Dr. Shannon Boomgarden

Project Description:

The University of Utah’s summer program in archaeological and experimental field methods will be held in Range Creek Canyon at thte Range Creek Field Station. Sponsored by the Department of Anthropology and the Natural History Museum of Utah, this eight-week field course is designed to teach basic archaeological field methods and participate in experiments designed to answer questions about past foraging, farming, and storing behavior of the Fremont people who lived in the canyon 1000 years ago. Under the direction of Duncan Metcalfe (Associate Professor of Anthropology), participants will receive training in a variety of field techniques including survey, mapping, soil identification, and aspects of paleo-ecological research. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of experimental projects using traditional methods to farm small plots and/or collect wild resources. No previous experience is necessary, but some exposure to basic archaeological and anthropological concepts is recommended.

Admission to the field school is by application only and is limited to 12 students.  Priority for admission will be given to those pursuing a professional career in archaeology or a related discipline. Applications are welcomed from both current University of Utah students, non-students and out-of-state students.  Students will earn 8 semester upper division credits upon successful completion of the field school (Anthr. 5712).

Period(s) of Occupation: Fremont A.D. 900-1200

Notes:
The University of Utah's summer program in archaeological and experimental field methods will be held at Range Creek Canyon. Sponsored by the Department of Anthropology and the Natural History Museum of Utah, this eight-week field course is designed to teach basic archaeological field methods and participate in experiments designed to answer questions about past foraging, farming, and storing behavior of the Fremont people who lived in the canyon 1000 years ago. Under the direction of Dr. Shannon Boomgarden (NHMU and Department of Anthropology University of Utah), participants will receive training in a variety of field techniques including survey, mapping, soil identification, and aspects of paleo-ecological research. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of experimental projects using traditional methods to farm small plots and collect wild resources.

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: All 4 10-day sessions are required

Minimum Age: 18

Experience Required: No experience required

Room and Board Arrangements:
Expect comfortable but relatively primitive living conditions. We will be camping at the headquarters of the field station which was a working ranch until a few years ago.  Students are expected to provide their own camping equipment (personal tents, sleeping bags and pads, etc.). Meals during the ten-day work sessions will be prepared by a professional cook. Water, toilets, and archaeological field equipment (aside from the personal tool kit) will be provided by the field program. All students will be expected to assist in the daily camp chores required to keep a field camp running smoothly. Additionally, one day of each field session will be devoted to maintaining the ranch, and will include such activities as landscape upkeep, cutting firewood, painting, mowing, etc. It is a small price to pay for having access to the main ranch house for cooking facilities, the bunkhouse and a log cabin for research facilities. Students will also assist with cooking on a one-day rotational basis. The ranch is in an extremely isolated part of Utah. Access is by a dugway (a dirt road cut into the side of a canyon wall by a bulldozer) that crosses an 8,700 foot pass. This road may be impassable when wet. In good weather, it takes more than 2 hours to travel from the ranch to the nearest major town, which is Price. For safety reasons, students are discouraged from bringing personal vehicles to the field. Cellular phones do not work in the canyon, although a satellite phone is available for emergencies. Due to the remote location of the field camp and limited by permit only access, students are not allowed to invite guests to visit the field school. Cost: Tuition only, no special fees. Out of state students pay resident rates during summer. Check University of Utah admissions website for current tuition. http://fbs.admin.utah.edu/income/tuition/ No special fees for transportation or housing.

Academic Credit:
8 credits upper division credit credits offered by University of Utah. Tuition: only, no special fees. Out of state students pay resident rates during summer. Check University of Utah admissions website for current tuition. http://fbs.admin.utah.edu/income/tuition/ No special fees for transportation or housing..