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22nd Annual Summer Field School in Historical Archaeology On-Site -

Forest, VA – Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest is currently hosting the 22nd Annual Summer Field School in Historical Archaeology. Eleven students are participating in 2010 and have come from all over the country, representing states including Virginia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Wisconsin, New York, Michigan, and Texas.  Visitors can witness the field school participants and staff archaeologists conduct site excavation on the grounds every day this week and next, and during Poplar Forest’s Independence Day celebration on Sunday.

Archaeology is ongoing at Poplar Forest with a full-time staff of professional archaeologists. Their excavations and research provide insight into the lives of the slaves that once lived on the plantation, new information about how the plantation actually operated, and important details about Jefferson’s design for the landscape of his personal retreat.

The 2010 field school is excavating at several sites on the Poplar Forest property this season – including tree stains from Thomas Jefferson’s western allée of paper mulberry trees, the site of antebellum slave cabin and the possible location of Jefferson’s stables, and the possible location of Jefferson’s vegetable garden. Numerous artifacts have been recovered, including iron nails, pieces of brick and mortar, pottery sherds, bone fragments, a coin, and a stone projectile point.

Students are posting weekly online updates about field school findings and activities, including images, podcasts and videos. This information is available at http://www.poplarforest.org/archaeology/learning-opps/field-school.

“The Poplar Forest field school truly integrates our mission of public education with our ongoing research into Jefferson’s plantation and retreat,” said Jack Gary, Director of Archaeology and Landscapes. "Not only do our students gain intimate knowledge of Poplar Forest’s history, but they also learn the basic skills of archaeological and historical research – plus, Poplar Forest gets five weeks of very enthusiastic field students.” 

The five-week summer field school provides its students with a foundation in the current methods and theories of historical archaeology and offers a solid introduction to the practical skills of site survey, excavation, recording, and laboratory procedures.  Historical archaeology uses primary documents, excavation, and the study of artifacts to illuminate the lives of both influential individuals such as Jefferson, as well as the everyday lives of poorly documented groups such as the slaves that lived and worked at Poplar Forest.

Students spend 40 hours a week at Poplar Forest with time split between the current excavation site and the archaeology laboratory. They have the opportunity to work with state-of-the-art equipment, software, and outside analysts. Weekly readings and lectures by staff and noted authorities cover such topics as landscape history, plantation life, 19th century material culture, professional opportunities in historical archaeology, and the role of public archaeology. This year, the field school students have also visited Monticello, Mount Vernon, Ferry Farm and Stratford Hall to see examples of other public sites engaged in historical archaeology in Virginia and the mid-Atlantic.

Participating in the Poplar Forest field school carries five graduate credits from the University of Virginia. Designed for the beginner, participants are accepted from a wide variety of backgrounds, including graduate and undergraduate students in anthropology, archaeology, history or preservation; public and private school teachers; museum volunteers and staff; and individuals interested in archaeology, history and early American culture.

Applications for Poplar Forest’s archaeology field school are available in late winter each year. Learn more at www.poplarforest.org/archaeology.

NOTE: Members of the media are invited to visit Poplar Forest and interview archaeologists and field school students about their activities this summer. Please contact Anna Bentson to arrange a visit. The archaeology field school ends July 9, 2010.

About Poplar Forest
Poplar Forest is Thomas Jefferson's secluded plantation and retreat home, a National Historic Landmark and recently added to the U.S. nomination list to become a World Heritage Site. Undergoing award-winning restoration and archaeology, Poplar Forest is open April through November from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Closed Tuesdays and Thanksgiving Day. Visitors to Poplar Forest each year come from all fifty states and over 30 countries.  Call (434) 525-1806 or visit www.poplarforest.org for additional information.

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Poplar Forest is open to the public seven days a week, March 15 through December 15 (closed Thanksgiving Day). Group tours are available year-round by appointment.