Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Hands-on Introduction to Archaeology


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

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