The course offers students an experiential learning experience while working on the URI Kingston Campus for the first time.
KINGSTON, R.I – August 21 – The Sociology/Anthropology and History Departments joined forces this summer to offer students a unique archeological opportunity. Archaeology Field School (or APG/HIS 396) is a two week hands-on in person field course offered in the College of Arts and Sciences Summer Sessions. Students learned about non-invasive archaeological techniques, including ground penetrating radar and magnetometry, and historical archival methods.
Typically the recurring summer session sends anthropology students to terrestrial and underwater programs. Instead, Kris Bovy (sociology/anthropology), Rod Mather (history), and Catherine DeCesare (history) came together to develop a summer session that is more inclusive. According to the Archaeological Institute of America’s listing of summer 2022, there were zero archaeological field schools available in Rhode Island, and only three in New England. These experiences can also be costly for students (approximately $2,500 per week) with very few scholarships available.
As a result, archaeological field schools are only available to more affluent students. Having a field school on the Kingston campus is a cost-effective option for local students, especially those receiving summer Pell grants. Providing such opportunities such as this one is integral to the URI land grant and the College of Arts & Sciences missions.
The group proposed a grant for $81,000 from The Champlin Foundation, which would help address the aforementioned issues by building hands-on experiences in existing courses, as well as new and modified courses. The goal is for students to gain marketable and durable skills such as geophysical surveying, teamwork, problem solving, synthesizing complex information, report writing, and oral communication. Developing these skills before graduation gives students a competitive edge as they seek employment in cultural resource management (CRM) or apply for graduate school.
In anticipation of the construction of a new running track on the Plains Fields, the university intends to demolish 3 buildings at 5 West Alumni Avenue, which are currently used by Lands and Grounds for storage. One of the buildings is a World War II vintage Quonset Hut. Another is an L-shaped barn with features suggesting multiple phases of construction and modification over time. Some parts of the building even predate the URI campus. Demolition is set for fall 2025.
URI contacted the Rhode Island Historic Preservation and Heritage Commission (RIHPHC) and received approval to proceed with the demolition pending historic architectural documentation of the L-shaped barn. Coincidentally, Mather, DeCesare, and Bovy are already examining the history and archaeology of the area. This is part of a long-term project to develop a fuller and more inclusive history of the campus and the Narragansett land that URI sits upon.
With approval to access the barn area, the team used geophysical and mapping equipment (a Stonex R60 total station, a Geometrics Magnetometer, and EOS Arrow Gold GPS, and a GSSI Utility Scan Ground Penetrating Radar) to archaeologically document the historic site. As a result, the field school was able to provide intensive hands-on training for students pursuing a career in archaeology.
“Though I have participated in other field schools, they have all been excavation focused typically involving trowels, shovels, axes, and brushes. The equipment pieces I got to work with in this course were things I likely otherwise would never have had the chance to interact with prior to entering the work force. Since this field school was non-invasive, meaning, we didn’t dig, I got to see a whole other side of archeology. I also was drawn to the idea of having time working with professors I had previously taken courses with in a context outside a traditional classroom setting,” said participating student, Molly McDonagh ’25.
Aside from the hands-on experience in the field, having concentrated time with faculty gave students the chance to brush up on other relevant skills. Professor Rod Mather taught primarily about equipment and data interpretation. Professor DeCesare introduced archives and how to work with historical documents. Professor Bovy was incredibly knowledgeable about careers related to archeology and the logistics of working as an archeologist in different spheres – both public and academic.
“It was incredible to see how each of their focuses connected to another. Witnessing how they all contributed to accomplishing a specific goal, such as locating the original sight of the Old Hay Barn, was inspiring,” said McDonagh.
Guest speakers were also an important piece to contextualizing this experience. Silvermoon LaRose, Assistant Director of the Tomaquag Museum, led the class on a tour of the medicinal garden. The group learned about the many ways the Narragansett people used local plants for medicine, roof coverings, woven goods, and more. This perspective offered a window into their history that textbooks and institutions sought to erase.
Jay Waller and Heather Olson from the Public Archeology Lab (PAL) in Pawtucket were also excellent resources for students inquiring about future job prospects in their field.
“Meeting with them introduced us to job titles we didn’t even know existed and areas of specialty that typically go less advertised. For a student on the brink of graduation, learning what qualifications and experience places like PAL look for in applicants straight from the PAL team felt incredibly valuable,” said McDonagh.
Perhaps one of the greatest benefits from an opportunity like this (beyond the invaluable experience and technical skills gained) is connection. The Summer Session group is small to begin with, and having that concentrated time to connect with peers and faculty is invaluable. These courses also attract students who are hungry to work and learn, and being in an active environment with likeminded people provides a wonderful foundation for relationships to grow beyond URI.
