IUN anthropology news July 14, 2003
1) faculty news
2) last minute dig opportunity
3) advising information
4) local events - including forensics in Chicago
5) interesting web sites
Learn the ethnographic methodology of Participatory action research free on line for 14 weeks beginning now; go to:
http://www.scu.edu.au/schools/gcm/ar/arhome.html
IUN adjunct and alumna Kathy Forgey is taking some time off from teaching at IUN because she has won the prestigious Illinois University Dean's Scholar Award, a fellowship that will allow her to spend all of her time finishing her dissertation. Kathy spent a few weeks in Peru with students in the Center for Medical Imaging in Bioanthropology program to take X-rays of mummies. Kathy also went to spend a couple of days at the UIC dig in Alabama where a couple of IUN students are digging, bringing student volunteers along herself.
We wish to thank Professor John Low for doing an excellent job as Visiting Lecturer in Anthropology this past Academic year; he stepped in under awkward circumstances to take over for the late Dr Clarke Johnson, and did an admirable term of teaching and event organization.
We also wish to welcome new IUN anthropology faculty member Michelle Stokely, who will be joining us in the fall as a full time lecturer and teaching courses in cultural anthropology and Native Americans. Soon-to-be-Dr Stokely is just finishing up her dissertation at the University of Oklahoma, where she conducted life history studies of the Apache peoples. She has already submitted the following low cost, short term summer working and learning opportunity:
Last minute Field School Volunteer opportunity:
As of a few days ago they have several openings left.
Archaeological field school at the Buried City of the Texas Panhandle
(July 29 - August 19, 2003)
By Scott Brosowske June 18, 2003
This summer the University of Oklahoma will be offering a three-week long archaeological field school from July 29th through August 19th at the famed Buried City (AD 1250-1450) of the Texas panhandle. Although the field school is open first and foremost to students, participation in the project will also be available to a small number of interested volunteers. Participants will have the option of assisting in the excavation of pithouses, storage facilities, and activity areas or working in our field laboratory processing materials from recovered during excavation. The field school instructors are Scott Brosowske, Dr. Susan Vehik, Tod Bevitt, and Ryan Rowles. We will be working Monday through Friday. Volunteers may sign-up to participate in one or more of the following field sessions: 1. July 30 - August 1 (3 days); 2. August 4 - August 8 (5 days); and/or 3. August 11-15 (5 days). We will be accepting a total of 12 volunteers for each session.
Overview of Archaeological Investigations The Plains Village or Middle Ceramic period (AD 1200-1500) of the Southern High Plains has certainly been the focus of intensive archaeological research in the past. As a whole, however, these investigations were conducted over 30 years ago and have concentrated almost exclusively on the excavation of residential house structures constructed of stone. In addition, because most of this research was carried out prior to the development of many archaeological techniques and analyses that are now commonplace, there are many aspects of Middle Ceramic lifeways that remain virtually unknown. For example, basic questions regarding other architectural forms (e.g., pithouses), the subsistence economy, intersocietal exchange, social organization, and the distribution and origin of various cultural groups still remain poorly understood. During the last five years the region has witnessed a significant resurgence in archaeological research that focuses on answering many of these questions.
This summer's field school provides an excellent opportunity for dedicated and experienced avocationalists to be a part of these renewed investigations. The Buried City <http://www.perryton.com/city.htm is located on Wolf Creek near the town of Perryton in the northeastern corner of the Texas panhandle. Previous archaeological research at the site began in the early 1900s and has concentrated on the excavation of large surface structures with stone foundations of Middle Ceramic age. In contrast, this summers excavations will seek to recover information surrounding the occupation of semi-subterranean pithouses that were also in use during this period. These features have been previously located through geophysical survey and verified by limited test excavations conducted at Buried City during the 2000 and 2001 field seasons. Currently, it is not clear whether the pithouses we have identified, which lack stone in their construction, represent an earlier house form at Buried City or were used contemporaneously with the larger surface stone structures. During the three-week long field school excavations will concentrate on the exposure of two pithouses and the storage facilities and activity areas associated with these residential structures. Lab work will be conducted concurrently to excavations in the field laboratory under the direction of Ryan Rowles. The field laboratory consists of a large permanent metal building on a slab foundation located near the site. Lab activities will include the washing, cataloging, and analyzing of artifacts and the processing of flotation samples recovered during excavation. Evening lectures and discussions including archaeologists from Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, and possibly New Mexico will concentrate on various topics surrounding the Middle Ceramic period of the Southern High Plains and provides a larger cultural context for this summer's investigations. Lodging Camping facilities are available for participants in this summer's field school at the Lake Fryer County Park. The park is a short drive from the site (i.e., approximately 5 minutes) and provides RV hookups, campsites, showers, restrooms, swimming, and picnicking. For additional information about the various facilities and activities available at the park, see http://cdc.perryton.com/lake_fryer.htm
Contact Information If you are interested in volunteering at the 2003 University of Oklahoma Summer Archaeological Field School during one or more of the three field sessions or have any questions please contact Scott Brosowske via e-mail (scottbro@ou.edu). Volunteers will be selected on a case-by-case basis as they are received. All serious applicants will be considered, however, given the nature of the work it is necessary that individuals be in good physical condition. It recommended that you apply as soon as possible as volunteer positions are likely to fill rapidly. Applicants please include the following information: 1. Your reasons why you want to participate in the field school. 2. Prior archaeological field or laboratory experience. 3. Do you have any physical ailments or conditions that would keep you from participating in all portions of fieldwork? 4. In which field session(s) do you wish to participate?
pictures and more info at: http://www.ou.edu/anthropology/fieldschool.htm
ADVISING INFORMATION:
I myself am taking the summer off, and doing most of the anthropology student advising from home. Anthro students can contact me at home at 773-929-0456, or email me at home at bob60614@netscape.net
I am having yet another eye surgery on Wed July 16, so give me a few days after that to recover -- after which time I will be bored silly.
IN CHICAGO:
Monday July 14 7:30 PM
at the League of Women Voters offices
332 S. Michigan Ave.
Suite 332
The World Federalist Association is presenting:
Professor Judith Ross of the Department of History at Depaul University speaking on understanding the relationship between India and Pakistan through its Historical and Cultural context.
MEETINGS:
BARFAA 2003
Loyola University Chicago
October 10-12, 2003.
The Tenth Annual Midwest Bioarchaeology and Forensic Anthropology Association meeting will be hosted by Drs. Anne L. Grauer and Maria O. Smith, the Chardin Anthropological Society, and the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Loyola University of Chicago. The meeting will consist of formal and informal papers (each approximately 10 minutes in length), open discussions and posters. "Works in progress" and posters are strongly encouraged, as is student participation. As always, the goal of the conference is to provide an informal forum for osteologists, forensic anthropologists, and bioarchaeologists to present and get feedback on current research, methodological advances, and specimens of particular interest.
The Indiana Academy of Science is preparing for our Fall annual meeting, to be held on Friday, October 17 at Anderson University, Anderson, Indiana. All interested parties are encouraged to submit abstracts for presentations by Friday, August 29. Since 1885, the IAS has promoted scientific research and the diffusion of knowledge within Indiana; the Anthropology Section of the IAS is a great place for anthropologists from all subdisciplines to present the results of their research to an interested audience that is excited to hear about findings from Indiana, other states, and other nations. Along with academic and professional researchers, students, both graduate and undergraduate, are strongly encouraged to participate in the meetings. The dues for IAS membership currently stand at $30 for a regular member and $10 for a student member. You do not have to be an IAS member to submit your abstract, and may pay your dues at the meeting if necessary. Use the following web-links to submit your abstract, join the IAS, or otherwise register your interest. *IAS Homepage: http://www.indianaacademyofscience.org *2003 Fall Meeting Information: http://www.indianaacademyofscience.org/meetings.html *Abstract Submission: http://www.indianaacademyofscience.org/form2003.asp *Membership Information: http://www.indianaacademyofscience.org/membership.html
Interesting web sites:
http://www.qozi.com/anthropology/
http://www.iusb.edu/~soc/HomePage.html
http://www.scu.edu.au/schools/gcm/ar/arhome.html
http://www.practicinganthropology.org/
http://dsc.discovery.com/news/briefs/20030519/chimp.html?ct=6333.67159943194
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Bob Mucci
Associate Professor and Coordinator of Anthropology
Indiana University Northwest
3400 Broadway, Gary IN 46408
219-980-6607
"Education not slogans is our motto"