2008 Field Session — July 14 - July 26, 2008

Join us for a two-week field school in the Walnut Creek area of the Prescott National Forest, 40 miles north of Prescott, Arizona. We offer you a spectacular environment and the opportunity to learn valuable archaeology skills. The school is accepting twelve students for this unique experience.

Survey techniques and methods are offered during this two-week field session. Lectures constitute one-third of your time, while actual on-the-ground fieldwork occupies most of your school experience. Arizona Archaeological Society Certification is available for Society members who complete the two-week course. Academic credit is offered to college or university- enrolled students through Yavapai College.

The Walnut Creek Archaeology Field School rests on a 250 acre area of hilly slopes and riparian areas within the Prescott National Forest. The research center is concentrated with archaeological sites with a known time-span from Archaic to historic American Indian. In addition, a large 1930’s Civilian Conservation Corp camp (FS 79) is under investigation, providing opportunities for historic-oriented students. Classes are held Monday through Friday. Weekends offer time to explore the Prescott area, or you may choose to take advantage of optional field trips to nearby sites.

The Program

The field school’s Survey Techniques curriculum is designed to prepare students for professional archaeological survey projects carried out throughout the Southwest. Students receive a minimum of 20 hours classroom instruction along with 60 hours of hands-on field survey over a minimum of 10 field days. Classroom instruction and report preparation conclude each day’s activities. Field notes, site inventory forms, site and field maps, and other tasks are completed daily.

Summer Field School 2008

The focus of this year’s two-week session will provide an unusually excellent opportunity for learning professional archaeological field techniques including:

Field Survey	Initial Artifact Identification
Site Mapping	Equipment Use
Site Identification	Data Control
Professional Note Taking	Current mapping tools
Sampling Methods

Student Evaluations

Students are expected to complete a brief report of their fieldwork accompanied with other written assignments. Classroom and field performance are calculated in student evaluations.

Field Living Conditions

Facilities include a Center Director’s home and a large barn like-building housing the office, a classroom, and bunk house. Camping sites provide water and accommodations for small RV’s and tents. Natural gas and solar panels light the classroom. A propane refrigerator is available for student use. The cooking area includes a ramada with propane stoves. Bathroom and shower facilities are available in porta-potties and a flush-toilet. A hot-water shower stall is available, and two portable shower stalls have been adapted for solar water bags you should consider bringing with your camping gear. Be ready to provide and prepare for your food needs. After arriving, you are likely to partner with other school members preparing and sharing meals.

Field School Fees

• Field School fees are $250 for the two week session without Yavapai College credit fees. You are eligible for AAS Certification.
• Yavapai College offers three lower division credits for an additional $147 fee.

COLLEGE CREDIT STUDENTS
for two Independent Study Credits

Contact: Registrar
Yavapai College
1100 East Sheldon St
Prescott, AZ 86301

The Walnut Creek Archaeology Field School is a program of the Walnut Creek Center for Education and Research, a partnership among Northern Arizona University, Prescott College, Sharlot Hall Museum, and Yavapai College. The Field School is generously supported by an endowment program from the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe.