Anthropology 3585-3586 Memorial University of Newfoundland Archaeological Field School Summer 2003 ~ Instructor: Dr. J.C. Erwin   This page will be updated with additional information regarding the program of study as required. Further information can be obtained from John Erwin, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Archaeology Unit. See 2002 Field School Highlights.

Q. How many students will be accepted into the field school?
A. Due to limited space and facilities, a maximum of 15 students will be accepted into the field school (upper year or recently graduated students will be given preference).

Q. How do students get to the site?
A. Students will make arrangements for their own transportation to Fleur de Lys. DRL Coachlines provides bus service to the junction of Hwy 410, where pick-up can be arranged through the field school. Some students have also indicated that they will arrange car pools to share fuel costs.

Q. What sort of living accommodations will be provided?
A. Students will be housed in the Interpretation Centre in Fleur de Lys. Students will be required to bring sleeping bags foam or air mattresses.

Q. What about food?
A. Food preparation will be undertaken by rotating teams of students on a daily basis. Each crew will be responsible for meal planning, preparation and clean-up.

Q. Is there a place to do laundry?
A. There is no laundromat in the community. However, laundry services can be negotiated with local residents who take in laundry on a pay per load basis. The field school will make arrangements as necessary.

Course Duration:
June 27th to August 13th, 2002 inclusive. Non-Memorial students will not be expected to stay in St. John's after completion of their fieldwork component (completion of their projects may be undertaken at their respective institutions). Final projects must arrive at Memorial University by the assigned due date.

Fieldwork Requirements:
Students will participate in excavation, mapping, note taking and the interpretation of a prehistoric archaeological site. Students will also participate in shoreline surveys on the Baie Verte peninsula with an emphasis on the location and testing of Prehistoric sites. Laboratory skills, including artifact preparation, processing, identification, conservation, cataloguing and database work will be taught and practiced throughout the field component of the course.

Travel, Accommodation and Equipment:
Students will provide and pay for their own transportation to and from Fleur de Lys, Newfoundland. Local transportation to the site, food, lodgings and archaeological equipment will be arranged for by the instructor and paid for by the student in addition to tuition and textbooks. Students will be required to take turns as teams in meal preparation and clean-up activities. Basic archaeological equipment, trowels, buckets, dustpans, shovels, line levels, etc., will be provided by the instructor. Additional equipment, including personal items, such as: suitable protective footwear, rain gear, insect repellent, etc., will be the responsibility of the student. A checklist of recommended and required items will be provided to the student upon acceptance into the course.

Field Conditions and Accommodations:
The weather in Newfoundland can be unpredictable at best. Students must be prepared for warm sunny days as well as cold, wind, rainy conditions and plenty of biting insects. Field operations and classroom instruction will be based out of the Dorset Museum and Interpretation Center in the town of Fleur de Lys. Local accommodations will be arranged in available housing within the town. Accommodations will be shared and will require students to bring their own sleeping bags and pillows. Laundry services will be available locally at a nominal cost per student. More information will be provided once upon acceptance into the field school.

Grading:
Projects must have the approval of the instructor. Grades are assigned as follows:
30% Excavation and Survey Methods
20% Field Notes
30% Laboratory Techniques
20% Research Project

Field and Laboratory Performance:
Student performance in the field and lab will be assessed according to their capability in performing basic fieldwork techniques, including the use of excavation tools and survey equipment. Essential non-technical skills, including teamwork, punctuality, and ability to work well with others will also comprise a portion of the student assessment. Hours of fieldwork are scheduled from 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday. Since access to the site requires about a 10 minute drive and a 15 minute walk, students must be ready to leave for the field by 8:30am.

Fieldnotes:
As archaeological excavation is a destructive process, the accurate recording of fieldwork is an essential part of this field school. Students will document their field activities using level record, feature, daily log and photographic record forms. Students will also be required to draw plan views and profiles of their excavation units and will take additional notes as required. Grades will be assessed on the basis of accuracy, neatness and completeness of field records.

Lecture Topics:
Excavation and survey theory, design and practice, Concepts of archaeological stratigraphy, Newfoundland Culture History, The Dorset Soapstone Quarry, Introduction to lithic identification and analysis,  Data recording,  Map, compass, and survey equipment use, Map making,  Site designation systems and  Artifact curation.

Research Project:
Students will be given a two week period after the fieldwork component to complete their research projects in St. John's. Non-Memorial Students will not be required to stay in St. John's, but will be required to ensure that their projects arrive for grading by the marking deadline. Research project topics are to be approved by the instructor prior to the completion of the fieldwork component.