Archaeological Lab Methods
This hands-on seminar will introduce
students to the methods archaeologists use
to analyze, catalogue, document, and store
archaeological artifacts and will enable
students to directly contribute to the
advancement of archaeological research in
New York City. We will work with a real
collection previously excavated from a site in
New York City and loaned from the New York
City Archaeological Repository to address its
needs for more analysis and cataloging. The
course will begin with a brief introduction to
archaeological field methods and site
reports, which are critical for interpreting the
collection. Students will then begin working
with the collection itself and will learn how to
sort, mend, and identify different types of
artifacts (including ceramic vessels, glass
bottles, and “small finds”) as well as
methods to determine the minimum number
of vessels, their materials, and dates, places,
and methods of manufacture. We will also
cover some methods of analysis of animal
bones and botanical remains as well as ways
to interpret the whole assemblage and
connect it to its social and historical context.
Cataloging instruction will familiarize
students with the City’s new cataloging
protocol and the Repository database that
aims to make collections more comparable
and accessible, so researchers can utilize
data from multiple sites to answer larger
questions. Our research will be integrated
into the Repository’s database and will be
made available to other researchers.
Documenting activities will also include
photography and drawing. Class meetings
will consist of hands-on instruction and lab
work, along with discussion of readings.
Assignments will include a research project
related to some portion of the collection (on
a topic of your choice and digital projects are
welcome), an in-progress oral presentation
of your research, and completion of a facet of
lab and cataloging work. There are no
prerequisites, and newcomers to
archaeology are welcome. 3 credits. May
satisfy the chronological requirement,
depending on final project.