MOUNTAINS AND PLAINS
The University of Wyoming 2010 Archaeology Field School
33rd ANNUAL FIELD SCHOOL FOR UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE
STUDENTS
UWAFS-2010 provides professional-level training in field research methods at several
southeast and northeast Wyoming locations. We are committed to offering an exceptionally
broad range of training exercises, including rapid reconnaissance of new archaeological areas,
systematic pedestrian site survey transects, establishing provenience grid systems and other
aspects of initial site testing and mapping, use of metal-detecting procedures at Early Historic
sites, and precise excavation of complex stratified geological/cultural deposits. Many field
schools sound good but then the student mostly ends up in “one set of excavation units at one
site” … not with us!
We produce entry-level professionals who are qualified for employment on Research and CRM
crews. Any UWAFS-10 member can volunteer for more excavation experience at other UW
research projects during session breaks or after the Field School, and we often can help with
employment opportunities for the second half of the summer. UWAFS-2010 is a good place to
find out if you want to pursue a career involving field excavation and survey. Be prepared to
spend half of a summer "living and breathing" archaeology.
Juniors, seniors and graduate students are preferred …
… But we can often accept Anthropology majors with less background (e.g. only an
"Intro. to Arch." course) who are trying to "get a jump on the competition",
… And students from other majors who just want to experience field archaeology.
Three Main Field School Sessions (9 cr. hrs., three 10-day sessions, 4-day breaks) …
… Plus an optional but strongly recommended Professional Workshops Class (2 cr. hrs.,
one 5-day “Pre-session”),
… Preference is always given to applicants to the three main Field School sessions (i.e.
ca. 6 weeks, the Archaeology “professional standard” to qualify for employment),
… But it is often possible to sign up for a one or two session "Field Class" option (2 – 4
cr. hrs., one or two of the 10-day sessions).
… Students really wanting to maximize summer credit hours might consider additional
supplemental credit (e.g. an Independent Study research project or an Internship).
(*) Please note that we can offer In-State Resident Tuition rates to all students in the main
Field School/Field Class Sessions.
Professional Workshops (May 31 – June 4)
… Held at High Plains Archaeology Project facilities in the small southeastern Wyoming
town of Pine Bluffs.
… Morning and afternoon sessions will delve into Plains cultural chronology, flint
knapping workshops and basic lithic analysis, bison osteology, use of mapping instruments,
excavation control systems, historical archaeology, public archaeology, and other topics.
… The Workshops also include a numerous field trips to interesting sites in the area,
hands-on lab sessions, powerpoint presentations, and so on.
Field School Session 1 (June 8 - 17) and Session 2 (June 22 – July 1)
… Will range out into the Pine Bluffs, the Horse Creek Breaks, and the Laramie
Mountains.
… The HPA Project is a long term research and public education effort investigating
numerous sites in southeast Wyoming, western Nebraska, and northeast Colorado. HPA sites
include the Pine Bluffs Site (48LA312), with over 6 meters of stratified deposits extending
from the Early Historic Frontier era back to Paleoindian times. Other research sites have
included stone circle (tipi ring) sites, prehistoric butte-top defensive fortresses, rock shelters,
bison kill sites, Early Historic homesteads and ranches, an 1880's US Cavalry training base, and
many other site types.
… HPA facilities include the High Plains Archaeology Museum and Field Lab, and the
Windows on the Past Interpretive Center (built over the top of an active excavation area at
the Pine Bluffs Site), a dining hall area, and a field camp area in the bluffs above the town.
… Session 1 will be devoted to training in site reconnaissance in new survey areas, and
formal pedestrian survey and site mapping techniques in the Pine Bluffs “stone circle
landscape,” where 2500 tipi rings have been documented. In 2010 we also will continue survey
in several new zones, and we also will expand our reconnaissance of the Horse Creek Breaks,
another impressive set of "scarp woodlands" about 25 miles north of Pine Bluffs.
… Session 2 will involve a shift from site mapping and recording to an emphasis on site
testing procedures in the Horse Creek and Pine Bluffs area. This work will involve known sites
but also new sites depending on Session 1 discoveries. For the latter part of Session 2 we
intend to set up a field camp and start a survey and site testing program in the Twin Mountains
area, located on top of the scenic Laramie Range, about 75 miles to the west of Pine Bluffs.
Field School Session 3 (July 6 - 15)
… Will move up to the Black Hill of northeast Wyoming and the Vore Buffalo Jump
(48CK301), one of the largest, most intricately stratified and best preserved kill sites in the
world. It has been estimated that the butchered remains of 10,000–20,000 bison are encased
in the 6 meter-deep deposits at the bottom of the large Vore Site sinkhole.
… Session 3 will emphasize training precise, detailed excavation methods in the Vore Site
bonebeds (using only small brushes and small bamboo excavation tools, etc.) followed by detailed
EDM mapping and other excavation unit mapping and recording procedures.
… The Vore Site is open to the public, with a parking area, an interpretive center building,
and viewing areas next to the main excavation. Training and participation in guided “site
tours” are part of the UWAFS Vore Site program. As always, field trips to known sites in the
Northern Black Hills and reconnaissance of new site areas will continue.
COURSE INSTRUCTORS:
Dr. Charles Reher, UW Faculty Archaeologist and Director of the Anthropology Museum
Mr. Rick Weathermon, UW Academic Research Scientist
COURSE STRUCTURES AND COSTS:
… Outline below are only basic, rounded-off costs for your consideration … We can help
with any more detailed questions about UW Fees and Admission (e.g. UW students coming in
from another State), and can providespecific links to needed sections on the UW Website, etc.
Professional Workshops Class…
Anth. 4975 (Sec. 1&2) (1 cr. hr./Sec. = 2 cr. hrs.) (optional Class)
(UW Fees … one-time fees & per cr. hr. Fees) = (~$170)
Resident
Tuition and Fees + (Tuition … $94.00/cr.hr. x 2 hrs.) = (188.00)
=~$358
[ or ]
NonResident
(UW Fees … one-time fees & per cr. hr. Fees) = (~$170)
+ (Tuition … $358/cr. hr. x 2) = ($716)
=~$886
[+] Food
(~$10/day) (1)
TOTAL
=~$50
Resident In State = (~$408)
[ or ] Out-of-State = (~$936)
(1)(estimated cost for recommended communal meals at HPA Dining Hall in Pine Bluffs)
UW Archaeology Field School …
Anth. 4140 (Sec.1)(6 cr. hrs.)
Resident Tuition (UW Fees … one-time fees & per cr. hr. Fees) = (~$268)
and Fees (1)
+ (Tuition … $94/cr. hr. x 2) = ($564)
Field School Fees (Field School Fee … $245.00/cr.hr x 6 cr. hr.) = ($1470)
=~$832
= $1470.00
(2)
TOTAL
Total Tuition and Fees~($2,302)
[+] Manual (3)
[+] Field Kit (4)
~$30
~$50
(1)(= In-State Tuition rates for all FS members)
(2) (three 10-day Sessions; Tuition and Fees provides for all food, field supplies, class teachers, daily
transportation, and transportation to and from UW Laramie Campus, as needed, etc.)
(3) (Manual contents and readings provided by UW Anthropology Dept.)
(4)(excavation and mapping supplies and tools purchased by student as needed, detailed lists provided)
[ or ] UW Archaeology Field Class …
Anth. 4140 (Sec. 1) (2 [ or ] 4 cr. hrs.)
Resident Tuition (UW Fees …) = (~$170) [or] (~$255)
and Fees
+ (Tuition …) = ($188) [or] ($376)
Field Class (1) (Field Class Fee) = ($245/cr. hr.)
TOTAL
[+] Manual
[+] Field Kit
$358 [ or ] $631
$490 [ or ] $980
(2 cr. hrs.) = ($848)
[ or ] (4 cr. hrs.) = ($1611)
~$30
~$50
(1) (one or two 10-day sessions … must be confirmed with Instructor before enrolling, and “Field Class”
requests usually go on a “Field School waiting list” status)
( Supplemental Credit Possibilities )
Independent Study/Conference - Anth. 4000 (1-2 cr. hr.) (optional)
[ or ] Professional Internship - Anth. 4970 (1-2 cr. hrs.) (optional)
Supplemental
Classes (*)
(Fees …) + (Resident [ or ] NonResident Tuition …)
(rates as noted above, e.g. ~$167 - ~$358)
(*) (additional advanced experience gained through independent projects or professional work during the main
Field School sessions, as discussed/designed with Instructors)
Fees and Tuition payment … due before the class begins.
REGISTRATION / ADMISSION:
1) Application and Acceptance … All Students
… Complete a Field School Application Form (available at the Antho. Dept. Office, or
the Field School link on Anthro. Dept. website, or we can email you one.
… Drop off your Application Form at Field School Director’s Department mailbox in the
Anthropology Building, or mail it in, or email it (address, email, phone below).
… We will confirm your acceptance and get with you on any questions you might have.
2) Non UW Student Admission and Registration
… Non UW students must apply first for Admission to UW and then register for the
classes afterwards.
… Admission procedures are fairly basic and rapid for summer classes, all can be done via
Web etc. (see information below) (be sure to apply for the “Non-degree Undergraduate” status
to maintain the In-State Resident Tuition rates).
3) UW Student Registration
… use standard Summer School registration procedures.
(*)(Field School Registration can begin as early as March 29, 2010).
TRANSPORTATION:
… Transportation to and from the University campus and daily transportation to field
locations during the Field Sessions is provided. However, students are welcome to bring their
own vehicle and convoy with us, or to travel to and from the field camp to destinations other
than the Laramie campus (and to have a place to keep more personal possessions, and just
generally for more personal flexibility during the evenings, etc.).
… Arrangements should be confirmed well ahead of time if e.g. you will meet us at a camp
location rather than convoying out of Laramie.
… In general we meet at the Anthropology Building at 7:30 a.m. on the first day of all
Field Sessions, followed an hour or two of loading and taking care of final details before we
head out. Also count on getting back to Laramie (or on to your own destination) late on the last
day of all Sessions after shutting down the field project and travelling.
LIVING ARRANGEMENTS:
… The UW field research program is based on field tent camps. Kitchen facilities and
food are provided, but the student needs to provide personal gear, (including a tent and cot, or
a camper, etc.), and to be otherwise prepared for 10 days of field living. More details on
clothing and camping equipment will be provided.
EQUIPMENT:
… All excavation and mapping equipment is supplied by the Field School Program, except
for the individual excavation kit and manuals.
INSURANCE:
… Basic health insurance coverage is required, as noted on the Application Form.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
University of Wyoming
Registration and Records (< =clickable link …) Admissions / (Summer Admissions) (< “ “)
Room 167, Knight Hall
Room 146, Knight Hall
Department 3960
Department 3435
1000 E. University Avenue
1000 E. University Avenue
University of Wyoming
University of Wyoming
Laramie, WY 82071
Laramie, WY 82071
(307) 766-5272
(307) 766-5160
Field School/Field Class
Kathy Fowler, Secretary (< “ “)
Dr. Charles A. Reher (< “ “)
Department of Anthropology
Director, UWAFS - 2010
Department 3431
Department 3431 - Anthropology
1000 E. University Avenue
1000 E. University Avenue
University of Wyoming
University of Wyoming
Laramie, WY 82071
Laramie, WY 82071
(307) 766-5136, Fax 766-2473
(307) 766-2208
(*)(Field School Web Site with 2010 information)