What: Our field school is oriented towards outfitting students with basic skills in field archaeology: pedestrian survey, documentation, mapping, testing, and excavation. Our aim is to set you up to be employed in compliance archaeology. And, all of these skills are also useful should you continue into a more academically-oriented field project.
Where: We work at Reller Prairie, a research station that is 30 minutes south of Lincoln. Dr. Phil Geib did extensive work at 25LC265 here in 2021 and we are continuing to learn more about this particular site, which has materials that date from the Archaic time period until recently. In addition, we train students interested in forensic archaeology through excavation of informal faux graves.
Reller Prairie is an 80-acre grassland-forested parcel donated to UNL by the Reller family in 1967. Salt Creek runs through it on the north side. There is a classroom/lab facility on site and this is where we retreat to for instruction and in inclement weather. Inside, we have a microwave and miniature refrigerator to help with lunch prep. In addition, there is a large cooler on site in which to store your lunch. We will have a porta-potty on site for the duration of our field school. Daily, we bring fresh water to the site to augment what you bring yourself.
What to Wear: We require all field workers to wear long pants and closed-toe shoes or boots with socks. I myself religiously wear long-sleeved shirts but others wear t-shirts. Brimmed hats and sunscreen are also highly recommended. These precautions are to guard against exposure to poison ivy, sun, and ticks. (We will have tick repellent on hand and we take frequent tick checks.) I recommend visiting Good Will for field attire rather then shelling out for expensive field gear.
When: May 18 through June 5; Memorial Day no class! Daily 8:30 to 4. (This is a 3-credit class where all of the learning is done in the field; there is no homework!)
Personal Equipment: You will need to have a covered clipboard (or clipboard with storage) and durable gloves. After April 1, I will let you know if you need to purchase other items.
Fee: The $175 fee covers various consumables.
Prereqs: Curiosity!
More questions?: During the final week of classes, I will host a session where you can pose other questions and arrange to carpool to the site. Or, contact lwandsnider1@unl.edu for more information.