Course Description

What you will learn: 

• How to identify and define the spatial extent of archaeological sites
• How to place the site into spatial and environmental context.            
• How to identify, describe, and photo document artifacts and features.
• How to map sites using hand-held GPS units.

What to expect:

All undergraduate anthropology students are eligible to apply, but preference will be given to juniors and seniors.

Scholarship recipients will be expected to complete pre-field work class room training (TBD by faculty advisor) and commit to a minimum of 10 days of field work. For 2026, the field session will be during the following dates: Friday, October 9th -  Sunday, October 18th .You are not required to stay the entire 9-day session.

A few "musts:" 

1. Must be in moderately good physical shape, enough to hike irregular terrain 5-7 miles a day.
2. Must work well in team settings where tasks are divided.
3. Must be willing to help out with kitchent chores and camp duties
4. Must play an instrument. (Just Kidding) But we always have music in the evenings, so bring it if you play it! 
5. We provide all the food and amenities, but if you have special dietary needs, you will need to bring your own food. 

CPAA Scholarship Fund

Want to do real archaeology? We can help.

• $1000 scholarships to archaeology undergraduate students.
• University credits
• Actual field work training in all basic archaeological survey skills

University assistance with travel costs. Reach out to jerry_cpaa@comcast.net for inquiries on Financial Aid programs. 

Location and Setting

Bull Creek 

The 2026 Field Sessions will be held in Bull Creek, a national trasure archaeological district at the foot of the Henry Mountains. It is south of Hanksville Utah in beautiful Capitol Reef Country. Directions to the campsites, and more information on the location, can be viewed here:

BULL CREEK: Directions to white POINT SITE and campSITE

Living Arrangements

Expect comfortable but relatively primitive living conditions. Students are expected to provide their own camping equipment (personal tents, sleeping bags and pads, etc.) Water, toilets, and archaeological field equipment (aside from the personal tool kit) will be provided by the field program. All students will be expected to assist in the daily camp chores required to keep a field camp running smoothly.

The weather tends to be unpredictable and can change dramatically without notice. In general, expect hot days and warm nights, and dry weather punctuated by afternoon thunderstorms. This field season is sufficiently late in the year, so insects should not be a major problem, but students should be alert for rattlesnakes and black bears. The major problems are likely to be injuries due to falling, sunburn, dehydration and sore muscles. Bear in mind that this is a field school working out of a field camp: storms can blow down tents, flood sites, and trench roads; vehicles break down and get stuck; medical facilities are quite some distance away. Much of the success or failure of the field season will be a function of everyone cheerfully pitching in to overcome the adversities that are guaranteed to arise.

Required Equipment

Most field equipment will be provided. However, field school participants are required to assemble a small personal tool kit. This includes the tools and other equipment that are frequently used during survey and excavation. Many of the items are fairly common and students may find that they already own some of them.

Required Field School Tool Kit: 

 Optional Additional Field School Tool Kit:

 Personal Equipment.

Expect hot days, cool nights, and lots of time in the sun.

Items