Ever wonder what a contemporary archaeology project looks like? Well, this is your chance to delve into the fascinating world of modernity and study “us”, “here”, and “now” as an archaeologist.
Starting on Friday September 30th, every Friday from 12:30 to 4:30 we will be working with contemporary artifacts from an abandoned 1970s and 1980s homeless encampment in Pelham Bay Park, located in the Bronx. During this time you will learn traditional lab techniques by processing “non-traditional” material culture. You will learn the processes of washing, bagging, tagging, and cataloging. We will also conduct a site visit during the semester and talk about methodological challenges to conducting contemporary archaeology.
The lab will be run by doctoral candidate Courtney Singleton; please feel free to reach her at [email protected] with any questions or concerns. If you have particular interests or skills you would like to develop this will be an opportunity for you to do so by working with a current ongoing local archaeological project!
You need not stay for the whole time or show up at 12:30, but you do need to work for a solid hour or two as it is difficult to set up students for any shorter period of time.
