Happy post SAA recovery week,
Thanks to everyone who attended Mark Willis and my symposium on KAP in archaeology. The audience was almost 100% people who have not yet used KAP but are interested in it and as a result we had a very low "churn" rate for attendees and I estimate 75% of the attendees were there for all the papers and the audience participation discussion. I will be following with more information about KAP next month. If your field school is interested in applying KAP this summer feel free to contact me directly.
It was great getting to meet so many people who have benefited from ShovelBums at the SAA's. Really very cool. Though I never got a single beer from a ShovelBum, bummer. ;-) I need to work on that next time...
Onto the field school announcement:
Below is the 4th edition of the 2012 Comprehensive International Archaeology/Anthropology Field School Directory featuring 137(!) Archaeology and anthropology field schools.
Its been reported to me that people using Commodore 64's are having opening the attached PDF. Well there is no need to get your site forms in a wad, just visit http://bit.ly/2012_Archaeology_Field_Schools and you can see the full list of the 137 field schools in all their glory if the PDF will not open for you.
NOTE: I have migrated the field school directory to a new domain, ShovelBums.net, since I was spanked by my host because ShovelBums.org was using up to much bandwidth. As a result I am taking the opportunity to rebuild ShovelBums.org so it is currently under maintenance.
About Field Schools:
If you are just getting started with your career in archaeology/anthropology it is important to realize that a field school is imperative to your future career! A field school will not only open your mind first hand to the wonders of archaeology but it will also lay the ground work for building relationships that will span your whole career. Case in point: At the SAA's in Memphis I hooked up to share a room with a buddy, Dr. Joel Palka, from my field school twenty six years ago in Copan, Honduras. I can't emphasize enough that right now you are at the *start* of your career. Archaeology and anthropology are small fields and everyone you interact with today will somehow affect your career tomorrow. At a field school that effect is magnified because field schools function as the 1st level of vetting following choosing a major in anthropology. Think of it like this. Everyone who declares a major in anthropology is not going to become an anthropologist. Of those anthropology majors those who take a field school are showing a dedicated interest in the field and recognize that to become an anthropologist you need to have a field school. So again while not everyone who takes a field school is also going to continue on in anthropology, the relative percentage of people who will is greatly increased over the general population of majors.
So go out and find a great field school and have the best experience of your life! You have this one rare opportunity in your career to hand pick which one, of some of the most interesting sites that are currently active anywhere in the world, that you want to work on.
The deadline for inclusion in the next edition of the 2012 Comprehensive Archaeology/Anthropology Field School Directory is pretty much over. Seriously, its almost the end of April! What were you thinking not including it earlier? Were you thinking you could use the $25 you save towards buying the field school two new trowels? Next year get it in earlier ;-) Ad remember next year that as always, if your project is broke you can post for free. This is a terrible business model, but its best for the students.
You can view the current Field School entries in the attached PDF with links to each field school embedded or you can view the same list at http://bit.ly/2012_Archaeology_Field_Schools. It helps everyone out there if you forward the attached PDF or post the link to http://bit.ly/2012_Archaeology_Field_Schools, on your own relevant social network. If you are on facebook, Google+ or one of the last seven people on MySpace I would genuinely appreciate it if you could add a link to the field schools on your page. ShovelBums has has always worked by word of mouth (and the handy forward button) so your help is always appreciated!
NOTE (seriously, I would love to hear from you so I can add some new stuff, but then again maybe these e-mails just go into the vacuum of internet space... :-): If you are a student who has found a field school through ShovelBums drop me a note and tell me how that experience has positively effected your career (and let me know if I can use that in a future mailing). If you are affiliated with a program that has used ShovelBums and has had a positive experience with it I would love to include some quotes on how ShovelBums has helped your Field School in future mailings. You can respond to me at rjoe@shovelbums.org.
Best,
R. Joe
PS Already attended a field school? Then check out the ShovelBums Gear Store and show you know your stuff!
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