2008 Summer Field School

All Photographs by L. Mark Raab

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The 2008 Bates County Archaeological Field School, co-sponsored by the University of Missouri-Kansas City and the Bates County Museum, was conducted from June 2 - 22, 2008. The excavation focused on a 19th-century farmstead near present-day Amsterdam, Missouri.      This site contains archaeological records of settlers who endured some of the harshest fighting of the Civil War. Originally in the town of West Point, these sites saw years of guerilla warfare before being burned first by partisan fighter Jim Lane in 1861, and again as a result of the infamous General Order 11 in 1863. This summer's work focused on locating the historic structures at the site, and investigating evidence of this traumatic and unique event.      The field school also ran a laboratory facility. Lab work, which involved extensive use of computers and computer assisted techniques, offered an opportunity to work with an abundance of historic artifacts and some faunal remains. Students received hands-on instruction in all of these areas. The area's archaeological resources are truly exceptional, and afforded an excellent introduction to archaeological research methods, which are in use at sites of all types around the world.

Students gained hands-on experience, setting up the site datum and grid, laying out units, excavating, recording and screening materials, and working in the lab..      In addition to the remains of a building foundation, we found a wide variety of cultural materials, including evidence of significant metal-working activities, and some interesting medicine bottles! The season was a huge success, and planning for the 2009 season is already under way.

Contact Us: For more information, please email Ann Raab at annmraab@ku.edu

Using a transit to set up the datum

Student Comments: "I'm grateful that I was able to come to this field school... I feel like I learned a lot, both within the realm of practical field skills, but also about the whole field..." "I am really glad I got the chance to come here and dig. Actually doing archaeology is a lot better than sitting in a classroom! I have met some really nice people and I have learned a lot about archaeology from Mark and Ann." "I was expecting to learn about digging and object recognition and classification, but I also learned much more..." "Another thing I have gained from this course is a greater appreciation of Missouri history, and so now my interest is piqued and I want to know more!" "You are both excellent teachers, and chefs! ... Thanks again for your help and friendship." "This has been a lot of fun, and I really enjoyed coming here!"

Learning to lay out an excavation unit

One of the many units at the site, rich in 19th Century artfiacts (note the axe head (shown in close-up below) just above the north arrow)

Screening

Students also had many opportunities for socializing and fun, not only during the course of the field school activities, but during free time as well.      The town of Butler, MO, where we set up our camp, has many community activities during the summer on their historic square. These activities include classic car shows, concerts in the park, and old-fashioned BBQ and pig roasts. Students at this year's field school also had the opportunity to go fishing at a local pond, with a fresh fish fry that evening. Jen (below right) caught her first fish ever!

A patent medicine bottle found at the site - "Dr. Kilmer's Swamp Root"

Fixing lunches before going out into the field

Jen catches dinner (well, at least part of it)

Fishing at a local pond!