Historical Archaeology (VA & SC)

What is this travel course about?

This course introduces students to the basic methods and theories of historical archaeology in a hands-on setting.  Students will learn about the practical skills of surveying, excavating, and recording by engaging in one week of archaeological fieldwork at Preston Place in Salem. Students will also spend two weeks on the road visiting important sites, museums, and labs across Virginia and South Carolina to find out how and why historical archaeologists choose to interpret the artifacts they uncover the way they do.  Specific attention will be paid to the material culture produced by enslaved peoples and what it teaches us about the slave trade and the ways in which we remember the historical narrative of slavery. 

Does this course fulfill any major/minor/concentration requirements?

This class counts as a 200-level course in history, anthropology, and archaeology.

Are there prerequisites for this travel course?

No, but students must be physically fit and able to work outside with a shovel and trowel.

Where will we go?

Historic Sites across Virginia include Monticello, Montpelier, Stratford Hall, Poplar Forest, Jamestown, Williamsburg

What are the dates of the travel course?

May 13 - May 31 (students will stay on campus May 20 - May 25 while doing fieldwork at Preston Place)

How much is the program fee?

$2,600

What costs are covered in my program fee?

All transportation, lodging, entrance fees, all meals

What other costs should I prepare for beyond my program fee?

Spending money for souvenirs

Are there scholarships available for this travel course?

There is limited financial support for domestic May Term travel courses, though there is May Term scholarship offered through the History Program.