Caitlyn Merkel photo
The Mercyhurst Archaeological Institute’s Field Method’s class is “Getting the Experience, Guaranteed,” in conformance with the school’s newest ad campaign.

Using a mock site housed in the basement of Zurn, 18 students learn what it takes to complete an excavation and all of the things that are required to do at a site.

You may have heard archaeology students discussing “the box.” Often they seem a little stressed, but often, after the class is over, students say how much they learned. This class prepares the students who will spend seven weeks over the summer excavating in Taos, New Mexico.
Caitlyn Merkel photo
In the photo above, senior Isaac Ogloblin uses a razor blade to carefully remove sediment around a bone feature that the class uncovered during the three-week class. In the other photo, part of the class gathers around their mock site to discuss what they need to do next.

While taught by James Adovasio, Ph.D., and Jeff Illingsworth, the students are in charge of what occurs within their excavation unit.