Volunteers are invited to participate in the 2018 Kansas Archeology Training Program Field School June 2 to 17 at the Kaw Mission State Historic Site (14MO368) in Council Grove, Kansas. The Kaw Indian Mission was built in 1851 by the Methodist Episcopal Church South and served as a school for boys in the Kaw or Kansa tribe between 1851 and 1854.
This year marks the 43rd anniversary of the KATP Field School, which provides a hands-on opportunity for the public to work alongside professional and avocational archeologists in the field and in the laboratory. No experience is necessary, just a desire to learn. Volunteers may participate for one day or the entire 16 days. Participants may assist archeologists in strategic test excavation of the site and/or help with cleaning and cataloging artifacts in the lab. Archeology technique courses are offered and may be taken for college credit or simply for personal enrichment.
Participation fee for the KATP field school is $20 for members of the Kansas Anthropological Association or Kansas Historical Foundation. Nonmember fee is $80. After May 1 the participation fee increases to $30 for members and $90 for nonmembers. Children must be at least 12 years old and accompanied by a parent or responsible adult. The registration packet and further details are available on the KSHS website at http://www.kshs.org/14622, including forms for KAA and KHF membership. For more information call Tricia Waggoner at 785-272-8681, ext. 267.
Project headquarters for classes and the artifact processing lab will be at the Council Grove Recreation and Events Center (formerly the National Guard Armory), 1020 East Main Street, Council Grove, will be the project headquarters for check-in, the artifact processing laboratory, and the lab class. While field school is in session, visitors are welcome to visit the excavation site and the lab to see artifacts being processed; visitor hours are 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Classes offered include Archeological Fieldwork, Archeological Site Survey, Cultural Reconstruction, and Architectural Buildings Survey.
A full schedule of evening programs will be free and open to the public; the schedule is posted on the KSHS website at http://www.kshs.org/14622 (click on “2018 KATP Evening Programs”). The website will be updated periodically over the coming weeks as additional programs are confirmed.
