RUTGERS UNIVERSITY
STUDIO COURSE
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THE NEW BRUNSWICK REGION: A CASE STUDY IN ARCHAEOLOGY AND LAND-USE
1. Background and Course Scope
This studio will provide students with hands-on experience in the many issues surrounding the
identification, evaluation, and management of archaeological resources in the context of modern land-use.
New Brunswick, and its immediately surrounding region, will be used as a highly accessible but currently
little understood case study.
Archaeological resources are something of a special case in historic preservation. They are for the most
part not readily apparent as visible elements in the present landscape, and their identification and
evaluation requires specialized techniques. Consequently they are not as commonly incorporated into
conventional historic preservation planning as are standing historic structures or districts: its most readily
understood components.
But archaeological resources are certainly part of “the historical and cultural foundations of the Nation
[that] should be preserved as a living part of our community life and development in order to give a sense
of orientation to the American people” (Preamble to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966).
Some archaeological discoveries, for example of the 18th century African Burial Ground in Manhattan, of
the 9000 year-old remains of Kennewick Man in Washington State, and of the 1607 English colony at
Jamestown, have drastically revised our understanding of American history. Archaeological research is
also something that is of wide public interest, and active participation in archaeological projects can be of
great benefit to historic sites and local communities
Through classroom teaching, hands- on assignments both in the classroom and in the field, assigned
readings, exams, class discussions and special topic studies, students will integrate individual research
activities with the wider framework of the course.
A small-scale archaeological investigation of a location on the Rutgers campus is included in the course.
Specific skill-sets that will be acquired include:
 an understanding of the legal and regulatory tools available for identifying, evaluating and
treating archaeological resources, and how they can be integrated with land-use and development
planning
 the use of primary historic sources in reconstructing urban topography through time
 the use of archaeological excavation reports as tools for understanding the past
 basic archaeological concepts and field and laboratory techniques
Students, working in groups, will develop several products as a result of the course:
1. An Archaeological Sensitivity Map of the historic core of New Brunswick. Using a combination of
historic documents and field observation, students will identify and map locations where potentially
significant archaeological resources remain beneath ground within the area developed by c.1850. All
students will work on this assignment, with groups of students being assigned different sections of the
city to work on.
2. A model archaeological ordinance for the City of New Brunswick. Using the legislative framework
provided by the New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law and other regulatory instruments, a model
ordinance will be written that ensures that archaeological resources are appropriately considered in
development decisions in the city.
3. A sustainable public archaeology program for New Brunswick, focusing on the Buccleuch Mansion.
This program will include a research design, target groups (e.g. fourth grade students in the city school
system), fiduciary and ethical guidelines, and identification of funding sources.
4. A popular publication/video/exhibit/website on the history and archaeology of New Brunswick.
Ian Burrow, PhD., RPA
Associate Professor
iburrow@hunterresearch.com; 609-695-0122 xtn 102; 609-462-2363 cell