Can I get involved with archaeological research at MTU?

You Probably Can!

Timothy Scarlett's General Advice:

Archaeology is the most eclectic field science, drawing from all disciplines of inquiry.   All archaeological research requires great patience and an ambition to learn, whether in the field or the lab. 

Field Research

The best way to become involved with archaeological research at Michigan Tech is to enroll in Archaeology Field Methods (SS 3210 or SS 5700) during the summer.  MTU faculty offer several options for field research programs that change every year depending upon research interest and funding.  These projects can be both local on the Keweenaw or often in other states or countries.  MTU archaeologists have active research in Michigan, New York, and Utah.  Besides this, our faculty also work on foreign projects, including a survey on the island of Svalbard above the arctic circle.

Field conditions can be rough- students work hard over long hours.  Heat, cold, bugs, sun, rain, and very heavy rocks can all haunt you during slow and painstaking work.  The excitement of discovery, however, can be remarkable! It's not every day that you help write history!   The single greatest thing about archaeology is that you just never know what you will find.  Once students have completed the field school, they often continue research on other projects and can occasionally join future expeditions as paid staff members.  Many also carry their interest forward from the field into the laboratory during semesters that follow. 

Lab Research

Students can work on many research projects in the lab right here at MTU.  Perhaps you are a social science major interested in material culture and archaeology.  On the other hand, you might be majoring in Materials Science, Geology, Forestry, or some other discipline.  Students that enroll in the Archaeological Sciences course will learn about the application of scientific methods and concerns to archaeological problems. In the Lab portion of the class, each student completes a major research project- conserving metals, analyzing pollen, examining carbonized wood, studying photographs, and so on.  You decide upon a research project in concert with the professor, but you will likely end up working on your project with other archaeologists and seeking advice from other MTU faculty and staff, depending upon your tasks.  Students sometimes take their research to the next level, continuing to work on tasks in directed study courses.

Jars of chemicals at the glazing room at the Gladstone Pottery Museum in England

You're an MTU Undergraduate!

MTU undergraduates in Social Science and other majors can complete all kinds of research projects on Archaeology.  I explained some of those options above.  We've already completed some examples:

• Jeremy Rahn worked with IA graduate student Mike Deegan on a project involving metals conservation in the archaeology lab.  He did this project as his main activity in the Archaeological Sciences course.   Want to see Mike and Jeremy at work on their project?  We shot and edited some video segments for people to see and hear:

1. Part 1: Explaining electrolytic reactions, testing cast iron. Mike Deegan Narrates the film. 
2. Part 2: Examining the results for the cast iron artifacts and starting some wrought iron samples.
3. Part 3: Finishing electrolytic work, oven Drying.
4. Part 4:  Overview of the final treatments.

• Nikki K. Drenning applied her interests in photography to research problems.  She enrolled in the lab class and began a study of objects photography.  Her photographs will become an important part of a number of publications, including West Point Foundry research by Erin Timms and Rachael Herzberg as well as my research in New York and Utah.

• Steve Ftaclas worked with me to complete the artifact catalog for the Fallasburg Historical Society.  After completing an MTU field school, he worked on the field excavation at this site.  During the following fall term, Steve and I finished the analysis and he was a co-author on the final report.  Steve now attends the University of Hawaii.

• Garrett Timmerman analyzed the clay content in sediment samples from potters' claybeds in Utah.  Garrett's work helped us understand how and why potters milled their clay before manufacturing things.   His report earned him co authorship on an experimental archaeology paper now under review for publication.  Garrett now studies for his Ph.D. in the Department of Geology at the University of Montana.

• Dan Scott designed a study of bricks from the West Point Foundry.  Project archaeologists continue to add to his catalog every year and eventually hope that the different bricks from the site will help us understand the site's building sequences and landscape evolution.  This project nears the completion of the first phase and he will be a co-author on the publication.

You're studying at another University or College?

You should complete one of our field schools!  The summer research provides excellent opportunities for you to enroll as a guest student and get your hands dirty with us.  Click here for current field school information.

You're a Graduate Student at another University or College?

From time to time graduate students from other universities seek out our expertise.  MTU IA faculty serve as external members on dissertation committees.  We also sometimes invite graduate students to participate as research team members on various projects.  Some examples from past projects:

• Elizabeth Norris works with Pat Martin and myself at the West Point Foundry.  She was the first graduate research assistant on that project and completed her M.S. in IA at MTU in 2002.  She's our assistant archaeologist in the field now and an important part of our research team.  Pat Martin now serves on her dissertation committee through the Department of Anthropology at University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

• Paul White joined our research at the West Point Foundry in 2004.  He's also an MTU Industrial Archaeology graduate, now completing his Ph.D. at Brown University.  He just joined us for the field experience.

I'm always looking for students interested in working toward their M.S. in Industrial Archaeology with me.  Now that we're offering a new Ph.D. program, I hope to attract some excellent students interested in working on a number of research topics in Industrial Heritage and Archaeology.  If you think you might be interested in studying with me, drop me a line. 

You're a Pre-Collegate Student?

I taught academically advanced young students for ten years, 1992-2001.  I worked for the John's Hopkins University's Center for Academically Talented Youth (JHU CTY).  Every class pushed and inspired me.  During the course of the class, students completed over 100 hours of class time- two intense weeks of classroom work and reading then one week of field research.  The students helped me with two major projects.  A study of industrial landscapes at the Lancaster Brick Company yards, now the Baker campus at Franklin and Marshall College.  Students also helped complete an archaeological clearance at the site of the 1719 Hans Herr House and Museum.

I remain, largely as a result of my experiences with CTY, committed to working with pre-collegate students.  In 2003, we welcomed a few pre-collegate students at the West Point Foundry through Earthwatch.org.  I'm not engaged with any projects right now which permit young participants, but watch this space in the future for announcements!

You and your parents should keep in mind that these projects are serious scientific and historical research.  Young volunteers work alongside college students, staff, and adult volunteers.  You will be held to the same high standard of conduct and professionalism, despite your age.  Archaeological work sometimes requires staff, students, and volunteers to live together in Spartan accommodations— from tents to dorms.  Young students and their parents must understand that the field camp experience requires maturity.

You're an Adult who'd like to Contribute?

I'd encourage you to enroll in a field school also!  Many retired individuals and vacationers choose to spend some time learning and working on archaeology digs.  Discovery beats the beach, at least some of the time!  Teachers often use these opportunities to earn continuing education credits and think about how archaeology can enliven their classroom.   I've had very positive experiences with participants on my research projects.  The best way is to enroll in the field school directly.  From time to time, I also work with organizations that administer such programs.  Recently I worked with Earthwatch with Pat Martin and we brought volunteers to the West Point Foundry. 

I'm not currently working with any volunteers, but watch this space for announcements!

Return to Top