Join us in the mountains above Los Altos this summer for an excellent and affordable introduction into archaeology and Bay Area history with our local Summer Field School.

Learn about the rich cultural diversity present in our everyday landscapes. We will work in an area with stunning natural beauty located in the Santa Cruz Mountains overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the Pescadero Watershed. You will be part of a team that will examine an area of the central coast that has had few previous formal archaeological investigations and will greatly contribute to the emergent literature of the region.

Work on all aspects of the research project, including archaeological survey, excavation strategies, and artifact analysis.

Daniel G. Cearley, M.A. (Foothill College)
Mark Hylkema, M.A. (CA State Parks/Foothill College)

What will you be Learning?

• California and Bay Area Prehistory
• Cultural Resource Management
• Evaluate to Sampling Designs
• Use of Total Station Survey Instruments
• Excavation Methodology
• Artifacts ID, Curation, and Analysis
• Write Professional Field Notes
• Interpret data into behavioral activities
• Data Management
• Develop Field Reports.

This course will introduce students to fundamentals in archaeological field methods and theory. It will provide on-hand training for the investigation of different types of archaeological sites including field survey and sub-surface sampling strategies. Students will learn to identify local artifact types and lab techniques for artifact cleaning, analysis, photography, curation, and data management. The course will provide students a foundation in local cultural and environmental contexts with emphasis on the application of anthropological theory for final report writing.

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