CAA University Field School

Location: Center for American Archeology Main Office, Broadway, Kampsville, IL, USA

Season: June 15, 2025 to July 26, 2025

Application Deadline: May 15, 2024

Deadline Type: Exact Date

Website: https://www.caa-archeology.org/programs/university-field-school/

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
Center for American Archeology and Illinois State University

Project Director:
Jason L. King, PhD

Project Description:

The CAA’s University Field School is a six-week program for undergraduate and graduate students ready for an immersive, experience in Field Archaeology in the Lower Illinois Valley.

We are offer two enrollment options for University Field School. Students may apply for credits through Illinois State University or they may apply directly to the CAA. Details on how to apply for each program are below. The application for ISU enrollment and credits will open in February 2025.

The University Field School track offers a unique, intensive archaeological experience for undergraduate and graduate students of all skill levels. Stationed at the Center for American Archeology in Kampsville, students gain experience in field and laboratory methods, theory and research design while engaging in problem-oriented research at the German site (11C377), a Late Woodland (ca 800-1200 CE) Jersey Bluff habitation site. Students work closely with professional archaeologists from a variety of backgrounds and institutions to help them master techniques and strategies for successful archaeological field and lab work in a variety of contexts. Field Methods students gain hands-on experience in geophysical testing, total station use, excavation and laboratory methods, including mapping, soil description, artifact and debris processing, water flotation collection and processing and curation. Practical experiences are supplemented by reading assignments and lectures by field school staff and guest lecturers.

The German Site is a Late Woodland / Jersey Bluff Phase habitation site located on a colluvial slope in the Crawford Creek valley. The site was occupied approximately 800-1200 CE. Remote sensing results indicate several possible structures and associated features. Since 2019, we have identified three house basins and several associated storage and refuse pits. A fourth possible house basin was identified in 2023. Field school students and CAA archaeologists have recovered domestic artifacts, including chert tools, pottery, animal bone, and botanical remains during the 2019-2024 field seasons. In 2025 we will continue to excavate house basins and associated features in order to better understand Late Woodland people of the Lower Illinois Valley.

Period(s) of Occupation: Woodland Period

Notes:
Late Woodland, geophysics, remote sensing, GIS, Kampsville

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Age: 18

Experience Required: None

Room and Board Arrangements:
During the field school, students will reside in Kamp Store, a historical store and home that has been converted into a museum and dormitory. There are no single rooms available. Beds are provided, though students should bring a sleeping bag or bed linens (blankets, sheets and pillow), as well as towels. There is a public laundromat within driving distance. Transportation can be arranged to laundry facilities for those students who do not intend to drive. Meals are served Monday breakfast through Saturday lunch as part of your room and board fees. Students must provide their own meals Saturday evening and all day on Sundays. There are restaurants located in Kampsville where students may purchase meals. The meal plan begins with breakfast on the first Monday of field school and ends with dinner on the last Friday. Kamp Store includes access to a communal refrigerator, but no cooking appliances are available.  

Academic Credit:
Those who wish to enroll for university credit may earn credits through Illinois State University (ISU). This program is run as a joint CAA-ISU program. The schedule, requirements, and program are the same as the non-credit option, however this option does include additional costs for the ISU credits. In order to earn ISU credits, you must apply using ISU’s application process.