Archaeological Field Methods

In Archaeological Field Methods (ANT 291), not only will you learn how to survey, excavate, and examine the past in an archaeological field setting, you will also practice hands-on laboratory methods to analyze and interpret the artifacts discovered in the field, such as stone tools, animal remains, and more.

Archaeological Field Methods is cross-listed in the departments of anthropology and sociology, Methods of Empirical Investigation. The information and methods you will study in this course will contribute to a deeper and more thorough understanding of archaeology and its role.

Digging In

The lab portion of the class explores the basic methods of artifact analysis and interpretation, as well as sampling techniques, data collection methods, the ethical considerations of research design, and more.

As a student in Archaeological Field Methods, you will study archaeological sites ranging from tens of thousands of years ago to the more recent past (50 years ago), Professor Laura Ng says. In addition, you will discover and discuss how archaeology is often misrepresented in modern media, such as cable TV. You’ll also learn about the best practices for public outreach and collaboration with descendant communities.

This course will prepare you for future endeavors in archaeology, giving you the experience and skills that you can apply to summer field schools (required for many entry-level field technician jobs). There will always be a demand for well-qualified archaeologists, Ng says, often with government agencies and in the cultural resource management industry.

Hands-On Learning

Grinnell is a small liberal arts college focused on providing students with a well-rounded education, and this course fits within that ethos, bringing together the study of agriculture, science, history, and more. Archaeological Field Methods offers plenty of experiential learning, including weekly lab sessions. A student favorite is the beer-brewing lab, which uses an ancient fermentation technique.

Ng says that ANT 291 as she teaches it is much more hands-on than a similar class she took as an undergrad. She sees the value in giving students experiences as a mode of learning; each week you will focus on learning a method of archaeological analysis, such as identifying the age of clay tobacco pipes and classifying animal remains, Ng says.

If you are looking for a class in archaeology that gives you plenty of practical experience and preparation for further study or a career, Archaeological Field Methods is a great choice that will enrich your learning and enhance your liberal arts education.