NE-3900
July 12-19, 2010 (including weekends)
Must commit to minimum of five days
Toadstool Geologic Park is located on the Oglala National Grassland in Northwestern Nebraska. Fossil types recovered here range from giant land tortoises to deer with fangs, though a list of animals whose descendants are in Africa today, such as rhinos, horses, peccaries, bustards, ducks, and a range of other critters, can also be found in the Park. Most fossil fauna ranges in age from 45 - 18 million years. PIT volunteers and Forest staff will explore the Park and conduct investigations for further remains. Several components of the project will occur simultaneously: several crews will survey designated areas and flag fossils; another crew will photograph finds and record their positions with GPS; and the final will excavate. Not to worry, though - everyone will get a chance to participate in each process!
The project area is very scenic, but remote. High winds and stormy weather are possible, so it is recommended that volunteers come prepared with gear suitable for a variety of weather conditions. Please also be aware that this is a Paleontological Special Interest Area, so no personal fossil collecting is allowed. See you in July!
Number of openings: 20
Special skills: None required
Minimum age: 18 years old
Facilities: Tent camping in remote (but scenic) area; chemical toilets, hot showers, base camp tents, solar generator, and most importantly a caterer! Volunteers responsible for personal camping equipment and drinking water
Nearest towns: Crawford, 18 miles; Chadron, 45 miles
Applications due: May 10, 2010
NE-3936
June 7–13, 15–20, 22–27, 29–July 6, 2010 (including weekends)
Must commit to one full session; may participate in more
Passport In Time volunteers are invited to excavate at the Hudson-Meng site, located in northwestern Nebraska. Research at Hudson-Meng in the 1970s identified a Paleoindian bison kill site associated with the Alberta culture, dated to over 10,000 years ago. Subsequent research (1990s) suggested that more than a single "kill event" may have been responsible for the formation of the initial site, and identified what appeared to be a second cultural component over the main bone bed. Investigations from 2005-2007 identified this second component as Paleoindian and belonging to the Eden culture (ca. 9400-9000 B.P.). Further research suggests there is also a third cultural component above the Eden level. The recognition of two additional Paleoindian levels above the original bison bone bed raises a host of new research questions and opens the door to exciting new discoveries about how ancient people lived in the Hudson-Meng valley.
Volunteers at Hudson-Meng will have opportunities to participate in the excavations, work in the lab, or even be involved in a variety of interpretive programs at the site. Excavation will occur primarily along the southern edge of the bone bed, at a second location to its southeast, and inside the enclosure building. Volunteers interested in lab work will be processing screen samples. The samples contain small fragments of artifacts: bone, snail shells, charcoal, and seeds. All will need to be sorted from the larger matrix of calcium carbonate fragments. The data provided from the project is absolutely crucial to understanding the history of human occupation, site formation, and changes in local environment that occurred at Hudson-Meng. Join us this summer for another exploration of the Hudson-Meng site!
Number of openings: 24 (6 per session)
Special skills: Excavators must be able to kneel for long periods, climb ladders, and work in hot outdoor conditions; Lab technicians must be able to see small details and be able to sit for long periods of time; prior excavation, archaeological interpretation, and/or lab experience helpful, but not required
Minimum age: 18 years old
Facilities: Tent and RV camping on site at developed campground; field kitchen; restroom with showers and flush toilets; drinking water; limited electrical and water hookups available; volunteers responsible for camping equipment, food, and transportation; volunteers may also elect to participate in a communal food budget ($10/person/day) and share in cooking/kitchen-duty rotations
Nearest towns: Crawford, 17 miles; Chadron, 37 miles
Applications due: Filled!