http://www.anthropology.hawaii.edu/MAFS/photos/index.html

We will teach students basic survey skills, for example how to recognize sites and deposits on pedestrian survey and how to record features using form and mapping equipment. We also stress the use of digital technology where appropriate. So, for example, students will learn how to use mapping-grade GPS which can map features with remarkable precision and hold a range of information about each feature in a database.

Our research focuses especially on ancient agriculture, so we will be investigating large, continuous systems of irrigated fields that were built beginning around 1400 A.D. The surplus production from these systems would eventually help underwrite the rise to power of Hawaii’s first elite to rule all of the islands: King Kamehameha I. However, until we began surveying and excavating in the area we had little direct evidence of this aspect of the region’s prehistory.

A good place to start to get an idea of what kinds of work we do is by looking at last year’s report:

http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/mdmccoy/McCoy_Graves_2007_HARP_report.pdf

We will outline a series of projects which students will have a chance to choose from early in the season. Some will focus on specific survey areas we investigate, others on previously recorded datasets and archives, and yet others will be on artifact analysis. Our staff works closely with students throughout the research process and the last two week s of the project are dedicated to analysis and writing. Final papers range in length but average 10 pages. Every year a few exceptional students go on to write an honors thesis based on their work in the following academic year when they return to their home institution. These same students have also returned to Hawaii on project funds to present their research at the annual Society for Hawaiian Archaeology.

No. Field school is designed to be your first experience doing real fieldwork.

Both kinds of references are fine. We’d prefer applicants include at least one academic reference since this is a college course.  

“I will graduate in May of this year, does that make me ineligible?”

Students graduating in May are eligible for the Monumental Architecture Field School, but not the NSF-REU program.

Monumental Architecture Field School (6/2 – 6/20/08)

San Jose State University

http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/mdmccoy/mafs.html

NSF-REU Field School (6/23 – 8/15/08)

University of New Mexico 

http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/mdmccoy/harp_nsf_reu.html 

Students are encouraged to post your questions about the program and the application process here.

- Prof. Mark D.  McCoy