APVA Preservation Virginia and the University of Virginia's School of Continuing and Professional Studies will offer a six-week archaeological field school at Jamestown, Va. during the summer of 2008. Since space is limited, early applications are strongly encouraged.

Overview
The field school is designed to teach the methods and theories of fieldwork in American Historical Archaeology and offers both the untrained and experienced student the opportunity to learn the practical skills of excavation and recording. It also provides an excellent educational opportunity for teachers seeking recertification in the social studies content area.

The fieldwork will be conducted at the Jamestown Rediscovery excavations on Jamestown Island, the site of the first permanent English settlement in North America. Focus of the excavations will be on uncovering the recently discovered remains of the 1607 James Fort and the adjoining 1608 James Town.

In the course of excavations, students will learn to identify and interpret 17th-century European and Native American artifacts, as well as investigate features directly related to James Fort (1607-1625). This archaeological field school provides a unique opportunity for students to make a contribution to the research and interpretation of early 17th-century English-America during the 400th anniversary of its founding.

The Program
The field school will include weekly seminars and field trips exploring recent contributions of historical archaeology to colonial history, new methods in field recording and interpretation, and a survey of the recent literature in the field, including new publications by the field school directors and senior staff.

Course Requirements
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will receive six graduate credits (Anthropology 589) from the University of Virginia. Students will be required to attend classes 40 hours a week (Monday-Friday) with most of that time spent on site during excavation. Strenuous daily activity will require physical endurance and excellent health. Students also will gain experience in the APVA Jamestown Rediscovery laboratory, spending time processing and learning to identify artifacts from the early Anglo-American settlement period. Students will be required to keep a journal of their field, lab, and seminar work.