Archaeological Field School
Welcome to the Bates County Missouri Archaeological Field School website. This website contains information about the field school, as well as the history behind the events.
This field school, with its first season being conducted in summer of 2008, is focusing on one of the most traumatic events in Ameircan history. In the run-up to the Civil War, the Missouri-Kansas border was the scene of merciless partisan fighting between pro-Union and secessionist groups, culminating in William Clarke Quantrill's infamous raid on Lawrence, Kansas, in which nearly 200 men and boys were singled out for death. Following Quantrill's raid, the Union Army issued General Order No. 11. This order, issued in 1863, resulted in the complete depopulation of Bates County and the total destruction of all towns, farms, livestock and crops, creating an extraordinary archaeological time capsule in Bates County.
Starting with initial excavations in the fall of 2007, and continuing with the 2008 field season and beyond, this field school will research the effects of this order, particularly the ability of the county's people to recover economically and socially after the war. Although this program focuses on Civil War-era archaeological sites, students will receive training in research techniques employed by archaeologists around the world. This field school is valuable to students planning advanced work in archaeology, students seeking employment in contract (CRM) archaeology, or who merely want to experience field research in archaeology.
Please use the links to the left to learn more about the history of the area, early excavations, the 2008 field season as well as the upcoming 2009 field season. If you'd like to get involved either in the field or on the sidelines, please click on the How Can I Help link to learn more.
History
2007 Research and Excavation
2008 Summer Field School
2009 Summer Field School
How Can I Help?
About Ann M. Raab
Bates County Museum Home
For more information, please email Ann Raab at annmraab@ku.edu
