Millsaps College :: Department of Sociology and Anthropology

Soc-Anth Course 3410: Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship

A three-week student field experience

You will be introduced to a variety of archaeological and historical research methods
(i.e. you get to dig in the dirt and search archives, looking for cool old stuff)
as we investigate an antebellum farmstead (early 19th century) and prehistoric Indian camp.
We also take a number of field trips: hiking in the mountains, rafting the Potomac river, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Gettysburg National Military Park, and a weekend in Washington DC.

Course Description
Schedule
Costs
Contact Information

Course Description:

This course will introduce you to the many techniques employed by archaeologists in locating and excavating sites of past human activity. You will participate in the on-going archaeological survey of the circa 1000 acres administered by the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship, founded by Robert and Dee Leggett. Bob Leggett is a Millsaps graduate and a trustee of the college. The main goal of archaeological survey is to identify and systematically document previously unknown (or poorly known) sites of all time periods, both prehistoric (Native American) and historic. Survey is carried out through the careful use, in combination, of USGS maps, compasses, aerial photos, and a Geographic Information System (GIS), all of which you will have opportunity to employ.

Once sites have been discovered, they may then be targeted for more complete investigation. We have already located several abandoned historic (19^th-century) farmsteads at the BRCES, as well as a number of landscape features (such as walls, “bunkers,” roads) that may relate to the Civil War defense (by both the Union and the Confederacy) of the heights overlooking Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. One of these farmsteads (the so-called “Mountain View” parcel) was the focus of test excavations during the summer of 2002, with the primary goal of determining who lived there, at what times, and for how long. We will continue our work there in 2003. In conducting these excavations, you will be instructed in the methods necessary to the recovery and scientific interpretation of archaeological materials.

We also spend quite a bit of time investigating the history of the region, through the texts and photographs stored in county courthouses, genealogical libraries, and in museums. The documentary (and is some cases oral) historical information obtained in this way can be powerfully combined with archaeological data to reconstruct the past uses (and, in some cases, abuses) of a given landscape. What did the occupants of the BRCES’ historic homesteads do? How did they earn a living? Were they primarily farmers? If so, what did they grow, and how did their farming practices affect the ecosystem? What were their lives like? What was their ethnic identity? Were they well integrated into the wider American political and social systems, or did they live isolated lives?

While participating in this field school, you will also learn much about the people of this fascinating part of our country. The first to settle in these mountains were, of course, Native Americans. The confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers (i.e. Harpers Ferry) marks the interface of several different tribal groups: Manahoacs (Siouan), Susquehannocks (Iriquoian), and various Eastern Algonquian tribes. In our excavations at the Mountain View site, we have in fact found good evidence for prehistoric (probably Archaic) occupation. Into this not-always-peaceful mix were thrust, during the 18^th-19^th centuries, various groups of colonists and homesteaders. And, of course, as already mentioned, the region was a hotbed of activity during the Civil War period. We will learn about these various historical periods through bi-weekly, evening class meetings and several field trips, including a weekend excursion to Washington D.C (May 31-June 1). There will also be a small number of mandatory meetings held at Millsaps during the Spring semester, prior to our departure.
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We depart Millsaps College early on the morning of Wednesday, May 14^th. Our drive will take us to Tennessee, where we will spend the night, and then on to Virginia. On May 15^th we will visit colonial Jamestown (http://www.apva.org/jr.html), spending the night near this very important archaeological site. On May 16^th, we will head north, travelling along the Blue Ridge, and arriving in Harpers Ferry the evening of May 16^th. We will begin survey and excavations on Saturday, May 17^th.

On May 21^st, we will be joined by Dr. Deborah Mann and Millsaps biology students, with whom we will live at the BRCES through June 3. And, on May 26^th, we will be joined by Dr. Wayne Lee and a crew from the University of Louisville. They will excavate with us through the end of the field school.

We will depart for Millsaps on Thursday, June 5, arriving on campus the evening of the 6^th.

Most weeks we will work Monday-Saturday, from 7 am-3 pm. Classes will be held on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 7-8:30.

Thursday, May 16: Archaeological Methods of Survey and Excavation. Reading: Peregrine, Chapters 3-6.

Thursday, May 30: Archaeological Analysis of Artifacts. Reading: Peregrine, Chapters 7-10.

The price for the field school, including transportation, room, board, and four summer school credits, is $1850.00. You will need to purchase a textbook and will be responsible for your own personal expenses. We will also take several field trips, including a weekend excursion to Washington D.C., for which you will need to pay. The cost of food and accommodations for field trips should not exceed $100-200.