Archaeological Vacations

Lesson 2: What Can I Do

Field Schools

If you want to learn the proper techniques of archaeology and have a wider range of places to volunteer, sign up for a field school. Field schools are formal programs to teach archaeological techniques. Most programs have both beginners and advanced field classes. Colleges, universities, or amateur archaoelogy societies often provide these courses for cost (from $20 to over $5000 depending on location of the field school and skills taught). Field school programs are usually open to the general public. These programs last from a few weeks to a few months.

Field school courses generally include lectures on the local archaeology of the area, laboratory exercises on artifact identification, and practical excavation methods. Some programs even include sightseeing tours of local attractions.

Students are taught step by step how to excavate, record, map, photograph, and store artifacts, ecofacts, and features. Professors and teaching assistants generally spend a great deal of time with each student perfecting his or her techniques. Furthermore, since all of the students are new learners, students generally learn from the mistakes and questions of the other field school students as well.

The costs for joining an archaeological excavation can range from nothing to several thousand dollars. Costs may include volunteer fees, field school tuition, and transportation costs, as well as room and board. When signing up for a volunteer or field study program, find out what fees are to be paid and what these fees pay for. Costs for extras such as bug spray, sunscreen, and alcohol are your own responsibility.

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