What is Archaeology?
Archaeology is the study of past human cultures, focusing on the ways in which people and their societies have changed over time around the world. It focuses on the material remains of culture—artifacts, buildings and other physical manifestations of culture—to understand the past and explain the present.
- Learn about Archaeology courses available at Washington College
- Wondering what jobs are available for the Archaeology major after college?
Archaeology Field School 2007
Latest Discoveries from the Field!In this year's Field School, students are exploring the coastal lands of the Sassafras River. They are recovering both paleo and historic artifacts one the surface as well as recording the location of substantial sites that may warrant simple excavations.
While completing this land survey students are also continuing the search for Tockwogh, an Indian village described by Captain John Smith on his 1608 voyage of exploration up the Chesapeake Bay. Smith described the village as palisaded, or fortified, and he was surprised to find that the inhabitants had iron and brass tools, apparently obtained in trade with the Susquehannock Indians to the north.
The field school also will collaborate with a field school run by the University of Maryland on Wye Island, so that students can expand their experience. The multiple projects offer training in a wide variety of activities and provide students with an opportunity to explore a range of sites.