The Archaeology of Mardi Gras

Catalog description

From Indiana Jones to Lara Croft to the guy in the “Ancient Aliens” meme, archaeologists are standard in pop-culture. But what do they actually do? In this course, we will explore the practice of archaeology through the lens of the “greatest free show on earth:” Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Archaeology is the study of humans through our material culture, the stuff we leave behind, and Mardi Gras brings plenty of stuff for us to examine. Working together each week, the class will complete readings, field trips, and hands-on projects, learning how to investigate Mardi Gras as an archaeological phenomenon. By the end of the semester, you will know more about New Orleans and its central tradition, and I promise, you will never look at a strand of beads the same way again.