The University of Arizona School of Anthropology offers a spring semester (January 11-May 4, 2012) archaeological field school in problem-oriented research for undergraduate and graduate students of all skill levels.  Participants will learn excavation, mapping with advanced spatial and geophysical techniques, processing and analysis of artifacts, and interpretation of the archaeological record and will be introduced to archaeological ethics and legal mandates.  Field trips, lectures, discussion, and report writing augment field and laboratory experience.   

Project Location

Tucson, Arizona is located in the heart of the Sonoran Desert with an ideal spring climate for fieldwork.  Participants will commute by van from the university campus each day for field and laboratory instruction.   

Archaeological Setting

Investigations will take place at University Indian Ruin, a Tucson archaeological preserve owned by the UA School of Anthropology.  University Indian Ruin has an on-site archaeological laboratory.

The site is a Hohokam center with a Classic period (AD 1200 to 1450) platform mound and related adobe compounds.  Occupations may date as late as Spanish contact.  The research offers an unparalleled opportunity to examine trends toward aggregation, centralization, and ultimate collapse in the southern Southwest during late prehispanic and protohistoric times.

Additional information about University Indian Ruin, its history of investigation, and potential for future research can be found in our research proposal to the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office.

Our 2011 research design will emphasize: 1) analysis of systematic surface collections to characterize the entire site; 2) detailed mapping of the layout of the adobe mound complex using ground penetrating radar, total station instruments, and wall exposures;  and 3) test excavation of selected rooms. Click here to see the full research proposal. 

Fieldwork Schedule

Field and laboratory sessions are 8 am-4 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the semester. The spring field school allows participants to complete a full semester course load by registering for additional classes on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The majority of spring Anthropology classes are offered on a Tuesday-Thursday basis.

Students will also take two weekend field trips to key sites in the region. There will be an optional trip to Casas Grandes, Chihuahua to visit the impressive site of Paquime.

Course Instructors

Paul R. Fish (Curator, Arizona State Museum; Professor, School of Anthropology, Course Instructor).  Research interests include traditional farming, settlement patterns, and lithic technology.

Suzanne K. Fish (Curator, Arizona State Museum; Professor, Anthropology, course instructor).  Research interests include Hohokam archaeology, ethnobotany, complexity and inequality, and complex coastal fisher-forager economies.

Participating Faculty

Lawrence B. Conyers (Professor, Anthropology, University of Denver) is an expert on remote subsurface archaeological prospecting techniques, applied in many parts of the world.

Mark Elson (Senior Archaeologist, Desert Archaeology; Adjunct Associate Professor, Anthropology).  Research interests include Southwestern archaeology, social consequences of volcanic eruptions and the evolution of Hohokam public architecture.

James T. Watson (Assistant Curator, Arizona State Museum and Assistant Professor, Anthropology).  Current research examines health and disease in prehistoric populations and the adoption of agriculture.

Field School: Course Credits & Fees

Registration is by permission of instructor obtained after submitting an application form.  Application forms are also available from Ann Samuelson, Anthropology undergraduate advisor.  Applications must be submitted by October 20 for acceptance in time for priority registration.  Students who submit applications by November 10 will be notified of acceptance by November 15.

Registration is required for two 3-credit field school courses, Anth 442a and Anth 442b (undergraduate credit) or Anth 542a and 542b (graduate credit).  An additional 3-credit course (Anth 495/Anth 595-Special Topics) is available for students who wish to pursue some aspect of University Indian Ruin research beyond that required for the field school.  

Field school registration is subject to normal University of Arizona tuition and fees.  A special course fee of $350.00 per 3 credit course ($700.00 total) covers field school costs, due at registration.  Non-University of Arizona students will arrange their own spring semester accommodations with advice from the instructors, if desired.