Archaeology Field School 2013
When: June 4 - 22, 2013
Where: The Speaker's House ~ Directions
Led by: Dr. Lydia Garver, Consulting Archaeologist
For more information: visit our contact page
or contact Lisa Minardi, President at info@speakershouse.org
Description:
The 2013 Archaeology Field school will be the fifth in a multi-year research project at The Speaker’s House, home of Frederick Muhlenberg (1750-1801), first Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. The site was continually occupied from 1764-2002 and, in addition to being Muhlenberg’s house, was home to an early piano maker from 1803-08 and an Ursinus College dormitory from 1924-44 before returning to single-family residency and then apartment housing. This complex history, along with the site’s remarkable preservation, makes it an exciting place to conduct archaeological research. It is also one of the few sites in the region that will yield information on domestic as well as agricultural and commercial uses. This year’s focus will be primarily on the identifying and dating the foundations of a c. 1780s addition to the main house as well as the remains of a bake oven. Students will learn how archaeological data is integrated with historical information to yield a more accurate interpretation of the past.
The field school is an intensive three-week program that runs Tuesday through Saturday, June 4–22 from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm daily. Participants will receive training in excavation techniques, record keeping, artifact identification, processing, cataloging, and classification. Several field trips and guest lectures are also included. No previous experience is necessary. The field school is open to anyone age 15 or over; enrollment is however limited to 10 participants. An application must be submitted by May 15. Preference will be given to those planning a career in archaeology, museum, or history-related fields but all applicants will be considered. Please note: College credit may be available in the form of an internship or independent study; check with your respective school and advisor for more information.
Costs & Lodging:
The participation fee for the field school is $200, which covers all necessary tools, equipment, and supplies and helps defray the costs of the program, including field trips, museum admissions, and lectures. This fee also includes a one-year membership in The Speaker’s House.
Housing will be available for out-of-town participants at Ursinus College; if you are interested in housing please indicate this on your application. The anticipated cost for housing is approximately $110/week.
Prior Year Highlights: 2012 ~~ 2011 ~~ 2010