Anthropology Home
Florida State University Site About the Department, the Fields of Anthropology, and our Server Students, Faculty, and Staff in the Department Information for Current and Prospective Undergraduate Students Information for Current and Prospective Graduate Students Department Research ProjectsFlorida State University Anthropological Society Links to Other Departments, Resources, and Other Related Sites Museum Studies Program News About the Department and Recent Events Information About Field Schools General Employment Information and Positions Within the Department Search the Catalog of Future, Current and Past Courses Welcome to Florida State University Online!

FSU Announces an Archaeological Field School at Letchworth Mounds, Summer B Term, (May 12 through June 20, 2004)

  • Fieldschool Participant Information and Coursework

    • A six-week Florida State University (FSU) archeological field school at the Letchworth Mounds site, will introduce students to basic field and lab methods in archeology, including survey, mapping, excavation, and preliminary analysis of artifacts. The project also will improve current knowledge of the prehistory of Northwest Florida and the Letchworth Mound Complex and aid in interpretation of this publicly-owned site.

    The Letchworth Mound is a nearly 50 ft tall Native American construction that is part of an archaeological site complex in western Jefferson County, Florida (about 20 miles east of Tallahassee, off State Road 90). The site includes other smaller mounds and a habitation area. The property is currently managed by the Florida Park Service; current plans include expansion of the 80 acre park to include other parts of the site in the near future.

    The field school project will include 1) mapping mounds reported to exist in the vicinity of the largest mound, 2) excavating a series of shovel tests in areas of proven archeological deposits, and 3) conducting block excavations on selected village deposits. The principal goals will be to locate additional village and midden deposits around Mound A at Letchworth, to delineate the eastern site boundary, and to better place the Letchworth site in Northwest Florida prehistory by dating selected proveniences and comparing ceramics with contemporary sites (e.g., Kolomoki Mounds, Swift Creek Middle School, McKeithen Mounds).

    Academic aspects of the field school will include 1) weekly assignments related to the Letchworth Mound site, 2) a reading list to complement methodological background and regional culture history, 3) tours of other nearby significant archeological sites, and 4) lectures by the Principal Investigator and guest speakers. At the end of the field school students should be familiar with basic archaeological survey and excavation techniques, including drawing a site sketch map with tape and compass, proper excavation and recording of shovel tests, field and lab identification of common artifacts, proper excavation of larger test units and recording plan and profile data, and other archaeological field basics.

    The field school will be directed by Dr. Ryan J. Wheeler. Dr. Wheeler is a member of the Register of Professional Archaeologists, a member and past director of the Florida Archaeology Council, and editor of The Florida Anthropologist. Dr. Wheeler has academic degrees from Florida Atlantic University and the University of Florida. He has published over twenty papers and monographs, including articles in The Florida Scientist, Florida Historical Quarterly, The Florida Anthropologist, American Antiquity, and Southeastern Archaeology. Dr. Wheeler has worked on and directed projects throughout Florida, including excavations at Jupiter Inlet 1, Old Enterprise, the Miami Circle at Brickell Point, and the Newnan's Lake canoe site.

    Students who would like to participate in the field school should submit an application, two letters of recommendation, and a physician's statement of good health to Dean Falk, FSU Summer Field school, Department of Anthropology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4531, Phone: 850.644.7016 phone, FAX: 850.645.0032.

    Undergraduates may register for six credit hours under ANT 4824/Anthropological Fieldwork: Archaeology; graduate students may register for six credit hours under ANG5824r/Anthropological Fieldwork: Archaeology.

    Important Dates: March 29 Field school application deadline April 12-Field school roster complete (Students Notified) May 12-First day of Field school (Field school runs Summer Term B, May 12-June 20, 2004)

    Download the Fieldschool Application


    Florida State University