A course offered by the UND Department of Anthropology, in cooperation with the North Dakota Army National Guard.

Field Techniques in Archaeology Anthropology 380, 6 credits Dates: June 1 - July 9, 2004 Instructor: Dr. Dennis Toom

The Department of Anthropology at the University of North Dakota invites students to attend its Archaeological Field School in June and July, 2004. The course is being offered in cooperation with the North Dakota Army National Guard. Current plans are for the field school to be conducted at archeological sites located within two National Guard training areas in eastern North Dakota: (1) Camp Grafton North in Ramsey County, and (2) Camp Grafton South in Eddy County. These training areas comprise Camp Grafton North, the primary training facility operated by the North Dakota Army National Guard. Camp Grafton is one of the major Army National Guard training facilities in the United States.

Field school students will learn standard archeological field techniques through their participation in the following tasks:

• Block Excavations at prehistoric archeological site 32RY389, Camp Grafton North
• Test Excavations at prehistoric archeological site 32ED94, Camp Grafton South
• Precision Mapping at historic archeological sites 32ED55 and 32ED83, Camp Grafton South

Site 32RY389, Camp Grafton North

Test excavations by UND at the site in 2002 identified a moderate density prehistoric archeological deposit that is probably affiliated with the Pelican Lake complex of the Late Plains Archaic period. Sites of this age fairly rare in the Devils Lake Basin, so block unit excavations will be carried out to learn more about this poorly documented type of site. Preliminary indications suggest the site functioned as a short-term occupation site, or campsite. A probable Pelican Lake-type projectile point suggests the site was occupied around ca. 1000-500 years B.C. The site has been inadvertently damaged by the operation of a borrow pit. The extent of the damage to the site is unknown, but it is clear that the western periphery was substantially disturbed if not completely destroyed.

In 2004, we intend to excavate a series of small block units that will total 15-20 m2 of the site area. A larger excavation effort should allow us to separate materials from multiple components, if more than a single component is present, and to uncover the locations of any features that might be preserved. The site will be mapped in detail using a total station electronic mapping instrument.

Site 32ED94, Camp Grafton South

Prehistoric archeological site 32ED94 is known as the Pinkerton Ranch site. Evaluative test excavations initiated at the site in 2002-2003 will be extended in 2004. This site is large, complex, and deep. It contains up to 1.5 m of stratified archeological deposits that extend about 600 m along the west side of a broad drainage way that runs between Cherry Lake and Lake Coe.

Components tentatively identified at the site date to the Middle Plains Woodland, Late Plains Archaic, and Early Plains Archaic periods. The Early Plains Archaic component, which is quite old and rare, consists of an Oxbow complex occupation that dates to ca. 5000 years before present (B.P.). The site is clearly eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.

In 2004, we intend to excavate additional test units and auger probes at the site. This results of this work will be (1) better defined site boundaries and (2) the recovery of a larger sample of artifacts needed for better, more accurate interpretations of the site and its many components, especially the deeply buried Early Plains Archaic component

Site Mapping, Camp Grafton South

Sites 32ED55 and 32ED83 are historic archeological sites that appear to be the remains of two early 1900s homesteads. They contain a variety of historic features, such as basements, dugout, earth-lined depressions, field stone walls/foundations, and so on. A variety of historic artifacts are also present on the ground surface.

In 2004, we intend to precisely map both historic archeological sites with an electronic total station. The complexity of mapping these sites will become evident to students, who will receive substantial hands-on experience mapping these sites. Scaled hand mapping may also be employed, as necessary, for individual features. The mapping work will be conducted to better document the sites, which is needed for the evaluation of their historical significance.

Credits and Cost:

The field school will be offered as a regular six-week class from June 1st to July 9th, 2004. Students will receive six semester hours of undergraduate credit in Anthropology 380, Field Techniques in Archaeology (one credit hour per week). The application deadline has been extended to April 30, 2004. Enrollment is limited so please apply early.

Costs of the field school include: (1) a $25.00 admission fee (only applies to students new to UND); (2) standard tuition and fees (see table below); and (3) a special fee of $200.00 charged by the department to help defray living expenses (mainly transportation and food costs) while in the field. Tuition and fee rates are subject to change without notice. Local transportation, camping equipment (if needed), and all field equipment are provided. Food for basic meals is also provided from the special fee and other available funding without additional charge. Additional information regarding UND tuition and fees is available from the UND Business Office.

There are usually opportunities for paid summer employment in archaeology after the field school for individuals who have successfully completed the course. We should be able to offer students paid positions on other research projects immediately after the field school concludes.

Application and Contact Information:

For application forms and more information, contact Dr. Dennis L. Toom at 701-777-2437; or by e-mail (dennis_toom@und.nodak.edu). The application is available online, which you can print out, fill out, and mail to the Archaeological Field School, Anthropology Research, University of North Dakota, PO Box 7094, Grand Forks, ND 58202-7094. You may request an application by writing to the above address; application forms are also available for general distribution in the Anthropology Department main office in Room 104 of Babcock Hall, on the UND campus in Grand Forks.

updated 14 April 2004