CAN YOU DIG IT? A
Hands-on Introduction to Archaeology
Contact: Cindi Stiles, 126 South Oneida Avenue,
Rhinelander, WI 54501
Phone: (715) 369-3248; (715)
499-0481 (cell)
Description: Participants are projected
into the future to become archaeologists, the detectives of the past. Their
task – figure out who, what, how and why in a late 20th century
house site. The program demonstrates how archaeologists take the few artifacts
that remain on a site and reconstruct who lived there, how they lived, and what
was important to them. Cindi uses “Garbology” (the study of what people throw
away) and portable sand boxes with artifacts, to illustrate excavation methods
and interpretation. Participants learn by doing, excavating the sand boxes with
paint brushes, and identifying the artifacts they find.
The
program can accommodate approximately 30 people at a time. It is portable,
consisting of 2ft X 2ft sand boxes which participants “excavate” with paint
brushes. A “map” of the excavation shows participants where they are excavating
within the site. Interpreting a “surface collection” of artifacts as an
introduction to archaeology precedes the excavation. The program is designed
for family participation or as a program for school children of all ages.
Cindi
Stiles is a Registered Professional Archaeologist, with a Master’s Degree in
Anthropology and over 30 years in the profession. While she has led projects
throughout the Midwest and Plains states, most of her professional life has
been in Wisconsin working primarily with
state, federal, and tribal agencies. She is currently a private archaeological
consultant.
Performing area: A room which can
accommodate: (front of the room) space with a table and floor space with chairs
for participants to sit for a 15 minute orientation, as well as (back of the
room) space for three tables (for sand boxes) and enough space for people to
stand around them. Program can be performed indoors and outdoors (weather
permitting).
Requirements: Four tables (2.5ft X
6ft); children must be accompanied by an adult.
Fee: Negotiable starting at $200., plus expenses
from Rhinelander; discounts are available for multiple area bookings, or back
to back booking in the same location
Travel Range: Wisconsin
and the UP of Michigan
References:
Kris
Adams Wendt, Public Library Consultant, Wisconsin Library Services, kawendt@wvls.org, (715)261-7255
Melinda
J. Young, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Lac du Flambeau Tribe, mjyoung@ldftribe.com, (715)892-8907
Anne Horjus of the Baraboo Public Library will be our morning speaker, followed by lunch, a visit by the Bouncin' Bus and crazy ideas by our very own Cindy Tuschy! 