Fieldwork
This listing expired on May 30, 2023. Please contact bioarch@anthro.umass.edu for any updated information.
Location: Amherst, MA, USA
Season: May 30, 2023 to July 12, 2023
Application Deadline: April 21, 2023
Deadline Type: Exact Date
Program Type:
Field School
RPA Certified:
No
Affiliation:
UMass Amherst
Project Director:
Dr. Ventura Pérez
Project Description:
This course introduces students to the role of the biological anthropologist, archaeologist and forensic scientist in excavations of human remains. This field school is particularly unique because we work in collaboration with the UMass Chan Medical School’s Division of Translational Anatomy and Anatomical Gift Program. Students will also receive lectures from experts in political science, federal Indian law, historical archaeology, the US State Department, and law enforcement. The course will be divided into three units. The first unit will introduce students to field and laboratory techniques, including osteology, recognizing what constitutes bioarchaeological or forensic data, and violence theory. Students will participate in lectures and lab exercises at both UMass Amherst and at the UMass Chan Medical School. The second unit will consist of excavations of a pseudo-crime scene and pseudo-archaeological burial. The third unit will focus on laboratory techniques used to analyze the biological profile and write the lab report of the two excavation sites, as well as the design and build of the following year’s burial sites. Throughout the course we will explore key concepts in ethics, violence theory, socio-cultural constructs left on the body, repatriation, medicolegal death investigation and regulations regarding unmarked burials.
Enrollment is by permission of the instructor. Students wishing to enroll must apply by April 21, 2023 to:
Dr. Ventura Pérez
Department of Anthropology
217 Machmer Hall, 240 Hicks Way
Amherst, MA 01003
Email applications are accepted:
bioarch@anthro.umass.edu.
Project Size: 1-24 participants
Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 6 weeks
Minimum Age: 18
Room and Board Arrangements:
https://www.umass.edu/living/assign/summersession
or off campus housing can be found
Academic Credit:
6 credits
Dr. Ventura Pérez
217 Machmer Hall, 240 Hicks Way
Amherst
MA
01003
United States
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