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Archaeological Fieldwork

Joining an archaeological project can be a transformative experience, whether you are considering a career in archaeology or are looking for a hands-on encounter with another culture. While you may think first of archaeological projects in the Mediterranean, there are other great opportunities that will enable you to gain fieldwork experience. If considering future work in archaeology, be aware that many Mediterranean sites actually like to hire people who have initially worked in the U.S., because of the meticulous training provided.

Finding a project

A few places to look for projects are

  • The Archaeological Institute of America's Archaeological Fieldwork Opportunities Bulletin
  • Earthwatch (but note that these can be expensive)
  • The Agora in Athens is an excellent place to dig, in part because they excavate well, they don't charge, they cover most expenses, and it's a good way to meet lots of other people with similar interests. However, getting onto it is competitive, and while they do accept undergraduates and have accepted Dartmouth students in the past, they prioritize accepting graduate students (they interview potential excavators). For more information, go to the American School of Classical Studies in Athens site. The deadline is typically mid-December.
  • The Passport in Time program of the USDA Forest Service
  • The Vermont Archaeological Society keeps a list of projects in Vermont
  • The New Hampshire State Conservation and Rescue Archaeology Program runs low-cost historical and prehistoric field schools
  • Dartmouth Archaeology Working Group field school and internships page
  • Professor Hruby's office door, Reed 314, where she posts opportunities that she hears about
  • You may also wish to consider internships with archaeological laboratories, museums, and other relevant organizations.

Check these sites and locations early and often; many are updated periodically.

Finding funds for your project

A few places to look are

  • The Jane C. Waldbaum Archaeological Field School Scholarship; the application deadline is usually at the beginning of March. It is available to students who have never participated in an archaeological project before. Dartmouth students have been quite successful at obtaining Waldbaum Scholarships in the past.
  • If you're excavating in the Near East (which includes both Cyprus and Israel), the American Schools of Overseas Research have a variety of archaeology fellowships; deadlines this year are typically in early February.

  • The Elizabeth Bartman Museum Internship Fund is a scholarship assisting advanced undergraduates, graduate students, or those who have recently completed a master's degree with the expenses associated with participating in a museum internship.

  • If your heritage is Native American or another historically underrepresented group, the Society for American Archaeology sometimes has funding available.
  • IFR Global has a website that lists scholarships to their own projects and, at the bottom of the page, links to fellowships offered by other funders. Most deadlines are January through March.
  • Dartmouth College offers a range of programs through the office of Undergraduate Advising and Research
  • The Classics Department has substantial funding available through both the Reid and the Wiencke fund, currently up to $4,000.