Archaeological Field Methods: Excavating Campus Histories at Frenchman's Lake

Catalog description

This hands-on course introduces students to archaeological field methods through active participation in the excavation of the multi-layered Frenchman's Lake site on the Stanford campus. Students will gain practical experience while investigating a deposit from Stanford campus dating to the early 20th century. Students will be trained in a range of core archaeological techniques, including survey, mapping, testing, and excavation, with an emphasis on digging, recording units and features, and illustrating stratigraphic profiles. The site's rich historical layers - ranging from 19th-century European settlement to early Stanford student recreation and the creation of a public park - offer a dynamic setting to explore archaeological methods. Beyond technical training, the course encourages critical inquiry into how archaeology can illuminate everyday life, institutional histories, and the material legacy of the modern university. Open to all, no experience required.