Field School

Field schools are opportunities for undergraduate students to gain hands-on archaeological experience. The Department of Anthropology alongside the Texas Archaeological Research Laboratory directly sponsors the Programme for Belize Archaeological Project. The Belize Field School typically takes place in the first Summer session (June). Undergraduate students may earn 6 credit hours of Upper Division coursework by enrolling in ANT 662. Prior Archaeology coursework or experience is not required but encouraged. 

Students are encouraged to take part in non-UT Field Schools elsewhere in the United States or abroad. However, if you wish to recieve transfer credit to apply to your degree, the non-UT Field School must be offered by an accredited university (i.e., you must return with a transcript). If you wish to ensure that your Field School transfer credit from another institution will be accepted by UT, you can request that the course be pre-evaluated by UT Admissions. 

If you have any questions about Field Schools, please contact Jenna Habeeb. 

Belize

The Programme for Belize Archaeological Project (PfBAP) is directed by Dr. Fred Valdez. Since 1992, with the permission of the Institute of Archaeology of the Government of Belize, the PfBAP has conducted original research concerning the ancient Maya civilization. The project area of the PfBAP is in the Orange Walk District of northwestern Belize, near the Mexican and Guatemalan borders, on land owned by the Programme for Belize, a Belize-controlled non-profit organizaton established in 1988.

As a student or volunteer, you will have the chance to to obtain hands-on experience in general aspects of field archaeology, including excavation, survey mapping, artifact processing, and artifact analysis. Field techniques training will be supplemented by lectures. Subjects vary but generally cover excavation objectives, lithic analysis, ceramic analysis, osteological analysis, and Maya prehistory.

More information about the program can be found here: The Programme for Belize Archaeological Project.

Contact: Dr. Fred Valdez or Jenna Habeeb