Preservation Archaeology Field School in Southwest New Mexico

Location: Cliff, NM, US

Season: May 24, 2022 to July 5, 2022

Application Deadline: March 4, 2022

Deadline Type: Exact Date

Website: http://www.archaeologysouthwest.org/field-school/

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
This project is an RPA certified field school

Affiliation:
Archaeology Southwest / University of Arizona

Project Director:
Dr. Karen Schollmeyer and Dr. Jeffery Clark

Project Description:

Learn excavation, survey, lab analysis, and experimental archaeology techniques while investigating how ancient communities formed during an era of migration and social change in beautiful southwest New Mexico. Field trips to archaeological sites, contemporary Native American communities, and public outreach events in our project area emphasize communication with diverse audiences and reinforce the principles of Preservation Archaeology as we focus on recovering maximum information with limited impacts on the archaeological record.  Our staff’s backgrounds include CRM, academic, and nonprofit work.  Funding is available for qualifying undergraduate students.

Period(s) of Occupation: Salado, AD 1275-1450

Notes:
Excavation, survey, lab techniques, and community outreach in a preservation-oriented curriculum

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: Full session

Minimum Age: 18

Experience Required: None

Room and Board Arrangements:
Our field camp lies at 4,500 feet above sea level in the scenic valley of Cliff, New Mexico, located between Safford, Arizona, and Silver City, New Mexico. Students and staff camp around a small building with laboratory and meeting space.  Students provide their own tents and camping equipment. Camp amenities include comfortable outdoor solar shower enclosures, portable toilets in camp and at our work site, and project meals prepared by a professional cook using locally sourced ingredients. Although much of our time is spent on field, lab, and experimental archaeology work, we also take field trips on our days off.  Expenses for field trips are covered by the field school fee, including lodging and occasional restaurant meals. We also provide transportation during the field school, including field trips and transportation between Tucson and Cliff at the beginning and end of the program. During our orientation in Tucson, field school students reside in University of Arizona campus housing (also covered by the field school fee). Cost: Undergraduates who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents will receive a stipend that can be used for field fees, UA tuition, and travel costs. Graduate and foreign students will be considered for admission to the field school, but are not eligible for financial support. See our website for more information on who qualifies.

Academic Credit:
Academic credit for both undergraduates and graduate students is available through the University of Arizona (a 3-credit lab course and a 4-credit field course). credits offered by University of Arizona. Tuition is Approximately $3,163 for 7 undergraduate credit hours, plus a $1200 field fee for food, transportation, etc. Qualifying undergraduates receive a $3300 stipend from the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates program (NSF REU 1851763).