Alexandria Archaeology and The George Washington University
Curriculum | General Information for 2007 | Archaeology in Old Town Alexandria
Each May the George Washington University and Alexandria Archaeology offer a ten-day field and laboratory course in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, designed as an introduction for those students wanting knowledge in archaeological basics and the uses of archaeology for the public. Students gain experience in survey and excavation techniques, the use of the transit, field record keeping, artifact identification, and laboratory processing. Techniques for onsite public interpretation and for artifact analysis in the laboratory will also be taught. Lectures will be presented at the Alexandria Archaeology Museum on the history of the site, the history of Alexandria and its urban development, excavation techniques, and the theoretical basis of the summer's work. Applicable to anthropology, history, preservation, museum studies, education, and American Studies.
Dates: May 19-23 and May 27-31
How to Register:
Students register for Field School in Public and Historical Archaeology through The George Washington University. The course carries three semester hours of graduate credit (AmSt 294.80 or Anth 284.80), or undergraduate credit (AmSt 193.80 or Anth 113.80). Class size will be limited to 20 students.
Course information can be found at The George Washington University website.
Inquiries can be addressed to Alexandria Archaeology or call 703-838-4399.
For registration information, please see The George Washington University's Essentials or contact Summer Sessions at 202-994-6360 or gwsummer@gwu.edu.
Archaeology in Old Town Alexandria
Alexandria was established on a crescent bay of the Potomac River by Scottish traders in the 1730s. It grew in the 18th century into one of the most important ports of the region. Alexandria was located at the juncture of the industrial North and the agrarian South, and was included within the original boundaries of the District of Columbia. The City serves as a microcosm of American urban development. It reflects many of the changes in economic focus, ethnic diversity, patterns of land use, and social stratification that characterize urban environments.
The City of Alexandria is a leader in community archaeology, supporting an ongoing program of research and preservation that includes Alexandria Archaeology, a division within the Office of Historic Alexandria.
Alexandria Archaeology studies and preserves archaeological sites and interprets them for the public through museum exhibitions, publications, classes, workshops and hands-on activities.
Archaeological excavation in Alexandria have brought to light a wide range of sites spanning several centuries. George Washington University students have participated in the excavation and study of African American neighborhoods, the Alexandria Canal, the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Shop, the Lee family homes, Fort Ward (a Civil War fort) and the McLean Sugar Refinery.
City archaeologists and field session students will work together this year at Shuter's Hill.
