Archaeology Laboratory and Field School

Students can:

  • Earn six hours of liberal arts credit in five weeks through archaeology
  • Combine field and laboratory study of one or more prehistoric archeological sites with fun in the sun in Central New York localities
  • Develop an ongoing research design
  • Do site surveys, mapping, recording and excavation and learn archaeological laboratory basics
  • Learn the basics of flotation and soil, lithic, floral, faunal, and ceramic analysis
  • Evaluate approaches and consider revisions to research design
  • Test previous archeological interpretations of human behavior through experimental Archaeology
  • Visit museums and other prehistoric and historic sites
  • Schedule: Five-week summer session, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Laboratory/lecture session one evening each week, time and day determined in consultation with students.
Field School

The Research Project: Settlement and subsistence patterns of Native American groups who lived in Central New York before the time of written records by and about them. At least 10,000 years of human activities are represented in the sites studied.

Who May Enroll: Undergraduate and graduate students as well as qualified high school juniors and seniors (upon recommendation of high school guidance counselors). Minimum age is 16.

To Register: Send name, mailing address, social security number, date of birth, and home/work telephone numbers to Project Director Dr. Ellis McDowell-Loudan, Sociology/Anthropology Department, SUNY Cortland, P.O. Box 2000, Cortland, N.Y. 13045 or call (607) 753-2485 loudane@cortland.edu

Application Review: Enrollment is limited and students are encouraged to pre-register. Registration materials are available in late March each year. The Summer Session Office in Brockway Hall, Room 216, (607) 753-4207, provides information about procedures for Summer Session programs.

Housing and Meals: The Residential Services Office, Van Hoesen Hall (607) 753-5570, is responsible for College residence facilities. The Auxiliary Services Corporation (ASC), Neubig Hall, (607) 753-4627, provides meal plans and dining facilities.