NE-4065
Session 1: May 21–27, 2012 (including weekends)
Session 2: May 29–June 3, 2012 (including weekends)
Session 3: June 5–10, 2012 (including weekends)
Session 4: June 12–16, 2012 (including weekends)
Must commit to one full session; may participate in more
Join us for another excavation at the Hudson-Meng site, located in scenic northwestern Nebraska! Research at Hudson-Meng in the 1970s identified a Paleoindian bison kill associated with the Alberta culture, which dates to over 10,000 years before present. Subsequent research in the 1990s recognized that more than one kill event may be responsible for the formation of the bison bonebed, and identified a secondary cultural component positioned over the main assemblage. Continued investigations between 2005 and 2011 positively identified the presence of at least two additional Paleoindian components: the first belonging to the Eden culture, and the second, later occupation, both dating to approximately 9400-9500 radiocarbon years ago. The recognition of two additional Paleoindian levels above the bison bonebed 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.
Passport in Time volunteers will be working alongside students from St. Cloud State University, which will provide for an enhanced learning environment. Volunteers can participate as excavators in the field or in the lab. Excavation will occur primarily along the southern edge of the bonebed area, at two other locations southeast and north of the bonebed, and inside the enclosure building. Volunteers interested in lab work will be processing screen samples. The screen samples contain small fragments of stone artifacts, bone, snails, charcoal, and seeds that need to be sorted from the larger matrix of calcium carbonate fragments. The data provided from the screen samples is absolutely crucial to understanding the history of human occupation, site formation, and changes in local environment that occurred at Hudson-Meng. This is a tremendously rich archaeological site, and is one of the most important of its kind. We hope you'll join us this summer as we explore the past at Hudson-Meng!
re enhanced learning environment for everyone. Volunteers 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 to date contain small fragments of artifacts, such as 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: 20 (5 per session)
Special skills: Must be physically capable of kneeling for long periods, climbing ladders, and working in a variety of outdoor conditions; lab technicians must be able to see small details and be able to sit for long periods of time; previous archaeological excavation or lab experience is helpful, but not required
Minimum age: 18 years old
Facilities: Tent and RV camping on site in a developed campground with field kitchen; restroom with showers and flush toilets, drinking water, and limited electrical and water hookups; volunteers responsible for own camping equipment, food, and transportation; volunteers may elect to participate in research camp food budget ($10/person/day) and rotate cooking and KP duties
Nearest towns: Crawford, 17 miles; Chadron, 37 miles
Applications due: March 19, 2012