Local Summer Archaeological Field School

California Field School

The Anthropology Department is launching several seasons of the California Field School program that offers a suite of hands-on field courses aimed at developing excavation- and lab-ready employees in the CRM industry. Visit our project website for local Fall and Spring highlights.

Sign-Ups Now Open – Program Runs Fridays Fall, Winter Lab, and Spring Field sign-ups are now open. Apply now!

Preliminary Application

Why Join the California Field School?

California Cultural Resource Management (CRM) firms are actively seeking new employees. Foothill students are getting hired — why not you?

There are no program fees. Why spend thousands on a field school when the same experience is available locally during the school year? This program is equitable and economical.

Students gain hands-on experience in:

• Survey

• Lab work

• Excavation

• Ground-penetrating radar

• Mapping

• And more...

Field Seasons and Program Options

Program Description

The Anthropology Department is launching multiple seasons of the California Field School program, offering a comprehensive suite of hands-on field courses designed to develop excavation- and lab-ready employees for the CRM industry. This Spring we are offering

In just 12 weeks, students are prepared for employment in CRM. Over the years, our field programs have placed hundreds of students into field technician positions, transfer programs, and graduate schools.

Building on our experience this past Fall at Hawthorns Ranch and Long Ridge Open Space Preserve, we continue our local program in the nearby Santa Cruz Mountains and foothills. With minimal time commitment and cost, students can gain professional field experience just off Highway 280 behind the Foothill College campus. Check out the more detailed research website for additional information.

Working closely with Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, State Parks, and Hidden Villa, we offer a locally based field school experience focused on historic-period colonial and Native American interactions. What has traditionally been an expensive summer field school is now available during the academic year through 4 units of Spring Quarter courses beginning in September (Anth 51 – Archaeology Survey, Anth 16L – Archaeology Lab, and Anth 57 – Applied Field Methods).

Contact Dr. Sam Connell at connellsamuel@foothill.edu or fill in your application. Every student will receive a Certificate of Field School Completion.

Daily Activities

Students will be part of a team working on all aspects of the research project, including archaeological survey, excavation strategies, and artifact analysis.

What will you be Learning? California and Bay Area Prehistory Cultural Resource Management Evaluate to Sampling Designs Use of Total Station Survey Instruments Excavation Methodology Artifacts ID, Curation, and Analysis Write Professional Field Notes Interpret data into behavioral activities Data Management Develop Field Reports. Course Titles ANTH 51 – Intro to Survey (F 10-2; 2 units - 6 field hrs/week) ANTH 16L – Archaeology Lab (TBD; 1 unit - 3 lab hrs/week) ANTH 57 - Applied Archaeology Field Methods (TBD; 1 unit) Supplemental Classroom based courses (not required): ANTH 8 – Intro to Archaeology

Short Course Description

This course will introduce students to fundamentals in archaeological field methods and theory. It will provide on-hand training for the investigation of different types of archaeological sites including field survey and sub-surface sampling strategies. Students will learn to identify local artifact types and lab techniques for artifact cleaning, analysis, photography, curation, and data management. The course will provide students a foundation in local cultural and environmental contexts with emphasis on the application of anthropological theory for final report writing.

Project Directors & Instructors

Samuel Connell, PhD (Foothill College)

Ana Lucia Gonzalez, MA (Foothill College)

Mike Wilcox, PhD (Stanford University)

Daniel Cearley, MA (Las Positas College)