Table of Contents
Background, History
Archaeological Field
Studies offer students an opportunity to participate directly in an
ongoing research project while pursuing studies in archaeological
theory, method, and data collection. Through field and laboratory work,
students will receive closely supervised instruction in the basic
skills needed to conduct archaeological research, including surface
documentation, transit mapping, excavation, artifact processing, and
preliminary artifact analysis. Students who enroll in advanced
analytical methods will have an opportunity for intensive study of
archaeological material. Through evening seminars, guest
lectures, and field trips, students will be given a background in
archaeological, historical, and environmental studies in the North
American
Southwest, and introduced to current research questions and approaches
in
southwestern archaeology. Advanced students will also have the
opportunity
to pursue directed research projects in close consultation with the
instructor.
This summer will be the 10th and final field season of a long term research project based in the Middle Rio Grande Valley of New Mexico. Since 1996, we have conducted a program of testing, surface documentation and new excavations focusing on the organization and transformation of indigenous and colonial societies in the late prehistoric and early historic Spanish Americas. Our research centers on the changing relationship between demography, economy, and society following European colonization of the Rio Grande in 1598.
Our work will be based at LA 162 (or Paa-ko), a large pueblo settlement inhabited at various times between the fourteenth and seventeenth centuries. This site is associated with a short lived, seventeenth century Spanish mission named San Pedro. Located at the head of the San Pedro Valley, one of three major drainage systems on the eastern slope of the Sandia Mountains, LA 162 occupies an enviable situation: on a well watered flood plain, adjacent to springs and timber, and at the cross roads between the Rio Grande Valley and the Plains. It is no surprise, then, that this place has many names and a long history of occupation, use, and incorporation into the varied cultural landscapes of Northern New Mexico. How places such as this one were inhabited, used and transformed through their use is one of the key questions we hope to address through our research.
Long a subject of archaeological interest, large villages occupied at the time of European contact provide a unique opportunity to investigate cultural continuity and change though a well preserved and diverse material record. Over the past 87 years, there have been several large scale research projects at the site, including the work of Nels C. Nelson in 1914, the Museum of New Mexico in the 1930s, and the University of New Mexico in the late 1940s and 1950s. The legacy of previous research at LA 162 presents us with both serious challenges and enormous opportunities.
This season, our field work will focus on documenting artifact and
feature distributions in and around the colonial period settlement
through surface survey, mapping, and excavations in a variety of
contexts. These efforts will tie together previous work done at
the site with new observations in order to provide a fuller
understanding of the daily lives and long term histories
of its prehistoric and early historic inhabitants. For more information
on
the site and our research, click on the excerpts
from
the 2000 research proposal. or the director's home page.
Operation
During the six week field season, you will live in Northern New Mexico
and commute on a daily basis to the field site. Paa-ko is located on
the eastern slope of the Sandia Mountains, about 20 minutes from
Albuquerque. During the
working day, you will actively participate in field research, locating,
documenting,
and excavating ancient structures, surfaces, and material culture.
During the afternoons, we will hold informal discussions of our work while carrying the newly excavated artifacts through the preliminary stages of analysis. During the evening, you will have the opportunity to hear guest lectures from other researchers working in the region, participate in seminars on a variety of topics, and learn basic techniques of artifact analysis. The working week will normally last from Monday to Friday, although we may occasionally need to work on Saturday mornings.
Students should plan to arrive by 5:00 PM on June 19th. Although formal instruction will end on July 29th, students may continue to participate in the research project through the first week in August. You should not plan to depart any earlier than noon on July 30th.
Weekends and free evenings offer a multitude of opportunities for study, exploration and recreation. Our location near both Albuquerque and Santa Fe is ideal for visiting historic sites, wilderness areas, and living southwestern communities. Farther afield, the many historic places, culturally diverse communities, and stunning vistas of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico are accessible by overnight trip.
During the course of the field season, we will take several field
trips, including at least one extended trip during which you will
have the opportunity to visit important historical and archaeological
sites with
members of the University of Chicago faculty and staff. In the
last
few years we have visited sites such as Chaco Canyon, Mesa Verde,
Bandelier
National Monument, Salinas National Monument, Pecos, and Canyon de
Chelley.
These excursions will emphasize the long tradition of research in which
you
will be participating.
Eligibility
The program is open to undergraduate and
graduate students from the University of Chicago and visiting
students from other colleges and universities. We do not
accept high school students or casual volunteers. Applications must include a completed application form, transcripts
of all college work, and the name of at least one referee familiar with
your academic or research experience. Visiting students should include
a letter of reference with their application or ask their referee to
contact us directly via letter or email.
he cost of the program includes tuition, supplies, and local
transportation. Summer Quarter tuition rates for 2005 have not
yet been announced by the
University. Applicants are urged to check directly with
the Summer
Session for accurate information about tuition rates.
In 2004, the tuition cost for students who registered for the standard
two
course program was $4150. Medical insurance is
required,
either through the university medical plan or equivalent personal
medical
plan.
The University of Chicago does not offer financial aid
to
visiting students. Visiting students should consult the financial aid
office
of their own institutions for options and advice.
Local arrangements for room and board have not been finalized. We will be living in rental housing in Albuquerque, the nearest city to our field site. Food and housing costs will be shared among all participants. Anticipated costs for food and housing during the summer are $800. These costs do not include transportation to New Mexico.
A $500 deposit is required from visiting students at the time of registration. The registration deadline for visiting students is May 30th. Tuition bills for all Summer Session students will be mailed by the first week of classes by the University Bursar's Office. Payments are due as indicated on the bill, typically within two weeks.
Supervision
Staff and Consultants
The field school is staffed by
highly trained and experienced faculty and students from a number
of universities. The director of the field school is Mark Lycett. He has
conducted archaeological research in the North American Southwest,
California, and South Asia, and has participated in archaeological
field
schools and summer training programs for more than 15 years. Dr. Lycett
has
extensive research experience in the late prehistoric and early
historic
archaeology of the Middle Rio Grande Valley. His work focuses on the
impact
of European colonial expansion on Native American society and
culture.
Noah Thomas, a doctoral
candidate at the University of Arizona, is assistant director of the
project. Noah has been a staff member of the proect since
1999. He will direct the excavation and analysis of metal working
facilities from the site. Additional staff members will include
doctoral students from the department of anthropology at the University
of Chicago, the University of Arizona,
the University of California and other institutions.
Students will also have an opportunity to interact with consultants
pursuing a variety of specialized analyses in conjunction with our
project. Dr. Diane
Gifford Gonzalez , Professor of Anthropology at the University of
California at Santa Cruz, is
actively engaged in the analysis of faunal materials from the
project. Students may particpate in laboratory sessions led by
Professor Gifford Gonzalez during the final two weeks of the
session. Dr.
Kathleen D. Morrison, Associate Professor of Anthropology at the
University of Chicago will act as special consultant for
paleoecological studies. She directs the recovery and analysis of
botanical, palynological, and sediment samples.
