Available on Demand

What are archaeological surveys? Why are they important? How are they properly conducted? Will archaeological inventory training help your community build capacity?

This RISC-certified course teaches a wide range of skills necessary to recognize and record archaeological sites and features, according to the guidelines established by the Resources Information Standards Committee (RISC). 

After completing classroom and field portions, participants should be able to:

Ø       describe how an archaeological inventory is conducted;

Ø       describe an archaeological inventory to Band members, clients, and the public;

Ø       read maps and navigate confidently in the field;

Ø       identify archaeological sites;

Ø       record observations in field notes, including landforms, vegetation and location;

Ø       describe how to avoid damaging fragile sites while recording information;

Ø       identify general environmental settings;

Ø       identify natural and cultural processes that have affected a site;

Ø       be aware of special concerns regarding burial sites;

Ø       conduct a surface collection;

Ø       record features in a variety of sites, in conjunction with an archaeologist.

Who should attend?

This course will appeal to people from a wide range of education and work experiences. Participants must be prepared for work involving a range of weather conditions and some physical exertion. Minimum education includes Grade 8 English and Math. Field experience, especially map and compass skills, is an asset but is not mandatory.

Materials

Participants will work through a binder of classroom materials. Field exercises are enhanced through the use of a field handbook, printed on waterproof paper, combining information on both archaeological inventories and CMT identification and recording.