The lab is hard work but exciting. Even though most people think archaeologists just dig to
learn the past, it is the lab where many of the questions are answered. Every day in the field
equals approximately four days in the lab. Lab folks also make sure the data which is collected
in the field is accurate.
While in the lab you will learn to recognize many kinds of
artifacts such as pottery, lithics, groundstone and tree-ring
samples. In ceramic analysis you observe the types and styles of
the pottery. This will help you identify when the pottery was
manufactured and possibly tell you how old the structure that you found the sherd in is. You
will also analyze stone artifacts and help figure out if they are tools or not. Tree-ring samples
are sent to the University of Arizona where they are dated by dendrochronologists. Animal
bones are studied by a specialist who identifies the species of animal and working with the
archaeologists, tries to determine what the bone was used for. The environmental archaeologist will look over charcoal,
food and other plant remains. At Crow Canyon you will learn to do all these things and more. Patience is the key to your
success in the lab. So, join Crow Canyon in the preservation of the future to come.
More Cool Stuff!
HSFS home page * Lifestyles * Fieldwork * Lab * Mountain Camping * Desert Camping * Shields Site * Ancient Pueblo/Anasazi * Photo Album
The following web pages were written and photographed by Drew Coffin, Jason Epstein and Rebecca Rehkop. ~ HIGH SCHOOL FIELD SCHOOL 1998
