UNCW Archaeological Field School in the Cape Fear region

Location: Brunswick Town Fort Anderson, North Carolina 28479, USA

Season: May 20, 2024 to June 18, 2024

Session Dates: May 20, 2024-June 18, 2024

Application Deadline: May 1, 2024

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: https://uncw.edu/academics/colleges/chssa/departments/anthropology/field-schools-internships/cape-fear

Discount for AIA members: no

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
UNC Wilmington

Project Director:
Eleanora Reber

Project Description:

The objective of the 2024 UNCW Archaeological Field school is to investigate the archaeological and historical heritage of the Cape Fear region, by excavating the area around the Russelborough area of Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site. Specifically, we would like to examine the area around Russelborough to examine one or more of the outbuildings, which will reflect aspects of the lives of enslaved Black individuals, as well as other non-elite workers on the estate during the colonial period of occupation at the site. In addition, because of its unique history, Rusellborough was a sort of hybrid between a house and plantation and may show evidence of the earliest rice agriculture in the lower Cape Fear.

Russelborough served as the Governor’s Mansion of North Carolina between 1756-1770, and was occupied until 1776. It is located just upstream of Brunswick Town. Previous excavations have focused on the main house. Excavations on outbuildings have been fairly minimal.

Over the course of the session, students will learn archaeological surface surveying, excavation techniques, record-keeping, mapping, and basic lab techniques, including flotation. We will also go on field trips to some local archaeological sites of interest, depending on availability, including nearby archaeological field schools.

The class will be 6 credit hours and will be intensive. It will basically take place all day Tuesday-Friday, and half-days on Monday. Actual hours of excavation will be decided by vote of the crew.

The site is a well-known state historic site about twenty minutes from downtown Wilmington and about forty minutes from UNCW, depending on traffic. Local students can live in their usual residences, and we will meet at the site (or a designated Wilmington meeting point, such as the UNCW Archaeology Lab) every morning. If you do not have housing in the Wilmington area, you can stay in the UNCW dorms as a summer student, or look for a local sublet or rental. We are happy to provide you with resources to look for housing, but this will be your responsibility.

Period(s) of Occupation: Historic, Colonial period

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 5 weeks

Minimum Age: 15

Experience Required: Introduction to Archaeology or consent of instructor

Room and Board Arrangements:
This is a 'commuter' field school, in that if you already have housing in the Wilmington area, you will live there during the field school, and drive to site or archaeology lab each morning. You are responsible for your own food, including packing your own lunches. If you do not have housing in the Wilmington area, you can stay in the UNCW dorms as a summer student, or look for a local sublet or rental. We are happy to provide you with resources to look for housing, but this will be your responsibility.

Academic Credit:
6 credits