Archaeological Methods

Believe it or not, there is more to archaeology than raiding tombs or cracking a bullwhip. What can we learn about people in the past through physical remains? What else do archaeologists do besides dig in the dirt? Students address these and other questions by conducting original research through a series of hands-on experiences both in and outside the classroom, including architectural drawing, spatial analysis, archival research with historical documents, isotopic analysis, demographic fieldwork in a local cemetery, 3D modeling, and museum exhibition design. Students work in teams, lead class discussions, present original research, and use their new skills in interpreting material culture to analyze the world around them in new and surprising ways.