Fort Davis Archaeological Field School 2015
Informational Meeting: February 9th, 2015; ARF Atrium, 5:00pm (please RSVP)
Application Due: February 20th, 2015 by midnight
Email Applications to rodriguez.ec@berkeley.edu AND GSIKatrina@gmail.com
Interviews will be held in early March
Overview:
Location: Fort Davis, Texas
Length: 6- 8 weeks in July and August (exact dates TBD. No commitment required before dates
are announced).
Cost: about $1,700 (exact price TBA)
Project Directors: Katrina Eichner and Erin Rodriguez (with mentorship by Professor Laurie
Wilkie)
FODAAP blog page: https://ucbfodaap.wordpress.com/
Fort Davis Archaeological Project (FODAAP): Fort Davis was initially occupied from 1854 to
1861 to protect travelers through western Texas to New Mexico. It was reoccupied from 18671891 during the reconstruction period and included several companies of African American
soldiers along with Euro-American officers. The Fort Davis Archaeological Project, run by
historical archaeologist Katrina Eichner and geoarchaeologist Erin Rodriguez under the
mentorship of Laurie Wilkie, focuses on the residential practices of several groups of Fort
residents during the second occupation after the Civil War in order to investigate daily life and
interrelationships among residents of different ethnic, racial, and gender identities. Integral to
this project is the investigation of multi-ethnic female laundresses’ residences and their social
and economic relationships with each other and the male African and Euro-American soldiers at
the Fort.
The 2015 season of the Fort Davis Archaeological Project will focus on residences of
laundresses, married couples, and enlisted soldiers from the second occupation of the fort from
1867-1891. Students will learn archaeological excavation techniques which will translate to a
variety of archaeological situations. Students will also be exposed to historical artifact laboratory
analysis and field geoarchaeological techniques and geoarchaeological survey. Laboratory
analysis conducted during the field school will include historical artifact curation and
identification, archaeological photography, and descriptive geoarchaeological analyses.
The Fort Davis Archaeological Project is a community engaged project with a close
relationship with the Fort Davis National Historic Site staff. Interaction with park personnel,
visitors, and participating community members is a daily part of the project’s work. Additionally,
students will participate in specific outreach events for the regional community including
archaeology information days, community volunteers, and public talks. Students will also write a
public blog post about their experience and research findings.
FODAAP is an inclusive archaeological field school committed to promoting diversity in
professional archaeology by fostering a safe and supportive learning environment for all
students. As we follow a feminist queer pedagogy, we welcome students of all genders,
orientations, races, ethnicities, ages, physical abilities, learning styles, and religions. Please speak
with the directors if you are concerned about how the project can support your specific
educational and professional needs.
Pricing and Transportation: Cost: $1,700 (approximately). The cost of the field school covers
students’ housing and food (lunch and dinner five days a week) as well as contributions to onsite
transportation costs and purchase of consumable supplies for student use. If students are
interested in receiving credit for the field school (in either summer or fall 2015) they should
contact the directors. Credits are not included in the cost of the field school. Students are
responsible for snacks, meals on non-work days, breakfast, and any other activities.
Students are responsible for their own transportation to Texas. The Amtrack line runs
through Alpine, Texas and is the recommended arrival point for students. The Amtrack can be
taken from California, or students may fly to El Paso and take the train from there to Alpine.
Students should let the project directors know their arrival time so they can be picked up at the
station. Other transportation options should be discussed with the directors.
Work Schedule: We will work five days a week (Monday through Friday) as well as a partial
day on Sundays. Saturday will be a free day to explore the Fort Davis area. Organized optional
group activities may be included on Sundays.
We will be on site by 7am on work days and will work until 1pm with short breaks. After
lunch (45 minutes) we will do lab work until 5pm in an onsite laboratory. Lab work will include
processing artifacts from excavation and recording sediment characteristics from excavated
layers. Survey teams will continue field work in the afternoon unless there are thunderstorms.
Students will be expected to make daily write ups in their field journals in the evenings.
Excavation involves difficult physical labor (crouching, lifting heavy objects, digging,
etc.) in hot (up to 100°F) and sometimes humid weather. It is analogous to a full day of
landscaping or construction work. Students will be expected to work a full day with regular
breaks. Ability to take care of your physical health (water, food, shade breaks) is essential.
Lodging: Students will be housed communally in modest housing offsite at Mountain Trails
Lodge (http://www.dmectexas.org/). You must be okay with sharing sleeping and bathroom
space with several roommates as each cabin will house three or four people (2 beds + 1 air
mattress). Respect for others’ space, possessions, and concerns, is essential. Earplugs, reading
lights, and eye masks are recommended. Alcohol will not be allowed in student lodging.
Students must comport themselves professionally as representatives of the project while
interacting with community members both on and offsite.
Meals: Lunch and dinner will be provided Monday through Friday. Students will be responsible
for preparing their own breakfasts. Dinners are eaten at restaurants in town where students can
pick from a limited menu. Vegan/vegetarian, gluten free, and dairy free options are available but
are significantly more limited than in the Bay Area. Students are responsible for their own meals
on Saturday and Sunday as well as for snacks. Students will be taken to the grocery store in
Alpine on a weekly basis to purchase their own supplies for breakfast, snacks, and any other
needs.
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Things to expect:
Physical Activity:
Ability to work 8 hour day of physical labor in heat (up to 100degrees) and humidity with
one to two days off per week:
Excavation (similar to full day of landscaping/gardening or construction work)
Survey (similar to full day of hiking with a heavy pack):
Common Issues encountered during Field Work:
Heat stroke
Dehydration,
Sunburn
Exhaustion
Cuts and Bruises
Muscle Soreness
Animal and insect encounters
Other Considerations:
Students will have limited connection with the outside world while in Texas. There is
limited cell service in the town of Fort Davis and nearby towns. Generally Verizon and AT&T
are the only cell providers which work reasonably consistently, though some students choose to
use trac phones. Cell phone use will never be allowed on site or during work hours. Internet
access is uncertain. Students will live, work, and interact with the same small group of people
(primarily the project participants) every day for the duration of the project with very few
options for private time or socialization outside the group. Students must also be able to act
professionally as representatives of the project in their interactions with community members
and park staff. Students also must be able to participate in a supportive environment for a diverse
group of students.
Fort Davis is located 20 miles from the nearest hospital (located in Alpine) although basic
first aid is available on site. Students must disclose medical conditions to the directors so a planof-action is ready in case of emergencies. This is for the safety of the student. Students should be
prepared to bring all medications necessary for the entire duration of the project. Also, while the
project will make every attempt to accommodate dietary restrictions, students should be aware
that this may be more difficult in rural Texas than in Berkeley. In the past the project has
included participants with gluten-free diets, peanut allergies, lactose intolerance, and vegan diets.
Health food stores are available in Fort Davis and surrounding towns making dietary needs
relatively easy to accommodate (although not with the variety available in Berkeley). The
directors must know about all dietary restrictions at the time the application is submitted
in order to make necessary preparations.
Students will receive instructions on what to bring before the end of the semester.
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Application
Name:
Age:
Pronouns:
Year in school:
Major:
Cumulative GPA:
Are you a transfer student? If yes, from what institution:
Email:
Phone Number:
What are your major archaeology interests? (Regional, Time Period, Topic, etc.)
Example: faunal analysis in Victorian era urban United States
Please list all Archaeology courses taken by Summer 2015 along with the professor and
your GSI (highlight or star (*) all those which contained a laboratory component):
Example: Fall 2013 Anthropology 134M: Analysis of Archaeological Record with Professor
Maher and GSI Erin Rodriguez*
What classes in other departments have you taken which have better prepared you for field
work?
Example: Geology, GIS, Environmental Science, History (only include topical or laboratory
courses relevant to the project, not introductory courses)
Do you have any previous field work or archaeology laboratory experience? Is so, please
describe including project name and directors, length, and activities:
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Do you have study abroad experience? If so, please describe:
Example: I spent 3 months in a homestay in Lima, Peru while I took classes at La Pontifica
Universidad Nacional de Peru.
Do you have non-course work research experience or are you working on an
undergraduate thesis? If so please describe:
Example: I worked as a research assistant for Professor Smith of the sociology department
processing survey data.
Please describe (concisely) your non-academic work experience to date:
Why do you want to go on the Fort Davis Archaeological Project and what do you expect to
learn from field school?
How do you feel you can contribute to the project’s mission to promote a more inclusive,
diverse archaeological profession?
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General Information (not affecting your application):
T-shirt size (in men’s sizes):
Are you comfortable driving (and have a driver’s license)?
Emergency contact (Name/Email/Phone):
Please list all medical conditions and necessary medications. This information will be kept
confidential by the directors and will not affect your application. Disclosure is in the best
interests of the student’s safety as it will allow directors to take proper action in the case of
an emergency. Include allergies such as bee stings or other outdoor concerns.
Example: Asthmatic – I carry an inhaler and epi-pen on my person at all times. Use of epi-pen
will require a follow-up visit to the emergency room.
Do you have any physical disability or impairments that might affect your ability to
conduct daily manual labor, walk far distances, carry 20lbs, kneel or crouch for extended
periods of time, work in hot climates, or live in conditions similar to those experienced
camping? (Yes/No):
If yes, please detail:
List the Date of your last Tetanus Vaccination (mm/yyyy):
Are you comfortable with multi-gender sleeping arrangements (Yes/No):
If no, please describe your preferred rooming preferences:
Have you ever been on disciplinary probation? (Yes/No):
If yes, please attach a one page letter to this application, describing the infraction,
and explaining why you feel this past infraction is not an indication of your ability
or willingness to represent UC Berkeley with dignity and pride.
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Please list and explain all dietary restrictions. For medical dietary problems (allergies,
lactose intolerance, etc.) please explain what actions should be taken in the event of an
accidental ingestion:
Example: vegetarian – I do not eat meat or fish, but can eat eggs and dairy.
Other concerns you have that the directors should know about:
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