Every summer the CU Department of Anthropology conducts an archaeological field school for interested undergraduate and graduate students. From 2002 to 2004, the field school was in the Southwest (Utah and New Mexico). From 2005-2015, students set up camp on the Great Plains. From 2016-2018, students had the opportunity to live in and do archaeology with contemporary American Indian communities in the Southwest with Scott Ortman.  In 2019 the field school returned to the Great Plains with Doug Bamforth. In 2023, the field school will be returning again to the US Southwest with Scott Ortman.

Summer Archaeological Field School 2024: The 2024 University of Colorado, Boulder, Anthropology Department archaeological field school focuses on the relationship between Hispano and Tewa Pueblo occupations at the village of Estaca in Northern New Mexico (roughly AD 1250 through 1800).  The class will provide training in archaeological site excavation, soil/stratigraphic analysis, site survey and recording, and working with local, indigenous and descendant communities.
 

CU Summer Archaeological Field School:  ANTH 4350/4390 (6 Credits)
Summer Session A.

Contact Dr. Scott Ortman -  scott.ortman@colorado.edu for more information

Students recording data during fieldschool

ANTH 4350: Archaeological Field and Laboratory Research.

Students participate in archaeological field research or conduct laboratory analysis of archaeological materials and data. Students work with faculty on archaeological research projects with a field or lab focus, depending on the project undertaken. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. Prereq., instructor consent. Same as ANTH 5350.

Field schools in physical anthropology and cultural anthropology are available through other universities. Please ask the undergraduate advisor for more information.

Archaeology program connects the past and present

For Patrick Cruz, studying archaeological sites in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico this summer was a way to hone his skills. But the trip also allowed Cruz, a CU Boulder archaeology graduate student, to retrace the journey his Tewa ancestors made centuries ago.

To read the full story, visit the Office for Outreach and Engagement website.