The Penn State Department of Anthropology will offer an archaeological field school that will excavate Fort Shirley, an important Colonial-era fort erected in 1755. Last season’s field school located one of the palisade walls, numerous eighteenth century artifacts, and abundant evidence for prehistoric occupation of the site. Under the direction of archaeologist Dr. Jonathan Burns of AXIS Research, Inc., the 2011 field school will explore the interior of the fort, expose the outline of the fort including its bastions, and search for George Croghan’s homestead and trading post.

Whether you are a current anthropology student or simply interested in learning more about the subject, this program will provide an extraordinary opportunity for you to get firsthand experience in archaeological fieldwork. You can learn how to lay out grids, use a total station, excavate, and conduct preliminary laboratory work. Most instruction will be hands-on training in the field. The course will also offer lectures on historic archaeology and Pennsylvania history.

This course can provide good preparation for employment in contract archaeology and for graduate school in anthropology. However, students interested in history, geology, and other related fields also can benefit from this exciting and unique experience.

The field school will be offered through Penn State Continuing Education for 6 credits: ANTH 492 (3 credits) and ANTH 493 (3 credits). It will be held during the first six-week summer session, from May 16 through June 24, 2011. Students in the Archaeological Field School will be housed at the Juniata College campus in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. There will be a break for lunch. Some days will be devoted to lab work and lectures by visiting experts.