| ARCHAEOLOGY is the study of past societies through
their material remains. Archaeology is important because it is the
only source of information about the vast majority of societies that
have existed on this earth. Archaeologists write a human history that
is richer, more representative and more complex than we would otherwise
have. Archaeologists hope to provide insights about human behavior
that can give us a better understanding of our nature and potential
for the future. The strengths of the Department's archaeology program
are in the areas of archaeological method and
theory, California prehistory, prehistoric maritime adaptations and
the rise of cultural complexity, complex societies, Mesoamerican cave
archaeology, Maya ideology, ceramics analysis, and cultural resource
management. Currently the Department offers archaeological
fieldwork and research opportunities through the San Nicolas Island
Archaeological Research Program and the Mesoamerican Cave Archaeology
Research Program.
The
San Nicolas Island Archaeological Research Program
Provides numerous opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students
to address anthropological questions regarding California history
and prehistory and to test models regarding island and coastal adaptations
that are applicable throughout the Pacific. Research includes archaeological
excavation and the analysis of recovered materials through the archaeological
field class, which is held during Spring quarter. Fieldwork is conducted
on San Nicolas Island every other weekend (Friday-Monday) to accommodate
working students. Fieldwork opportunities, as well as training in
archaeological survey and mapping using the Global Positioning System
are available for advanced students throughout the year. Training
in laboratory analysis using previously excavated materials and
museum collections, and data entry and analysis using computerized
cataloging and statistical programs are available through the archaeological
analysis course.
A copy of the 2002
Archaeology Field School Manual is available for download
as a PDF file. (Adobe Acrobat Reader is available for free here).
The
Mesoamerican Cave Archaeology Research Program Provides
opportunities for a limited number of serious undergraduate and
graduate students to participate in cutting-edge archaeological
research in Mexico and Central America. Students are given important
responsibilities and encouraged to publish on the results of their
work. Expeditions are carried out during the Spring or Summer Quarter
and generally last four to six weeks. Students are invited to participate
based on a number of criteria such as: performance in archaeology
classes, previous archaeological experience, and ability to speak
Spanish. Thus far, the program has paid airfare and field expenses
for participating students.
For links to various cave archaeology sites, please click
here.
|
|
The archaeology program encourages students to present the results
of their research at professional meetings and to submit articles
for publication in professional journals. Opportunities to conduct
grant funded research and prepare co-authored articles and reports
with faculty have also been available.
The archaeology section maintains important links to the Society
for American Archaeology, the Society
for California Archaeology, the California
State Historic Preservation Office, the National Park Service
Cultural Resources Office.
For More information on Archaeology at Cal State Los Angeles, contact:
James Brady
jbrady@calstatela.edu
(323) 343-2024
Or
Patricia Martz
pmartz@calstatela.edu
(323) 343-2445
Department of Anthropology
California State University, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA 90032
|
