ARCHAEOLOGY IN KENYA

Anthropology/African Studies 248 D (5.4 credits)
Prof. John Barthelme
Dates : May 30- June 27, 2009
Program fee: $4,500. Airfare not included.

This field course has been designed to provide students with an interdisciplinary introduction to Kenyan archaeology and early human evolution in Africa. Emphasis will be on integrating the research fields of geology, vertebrate biology, physical anthropology and African archaeology.

Fieldwork will be based primarily at Lenderut, a 500,000 year old Acheulean site and Olkena, a 10,000 Later Stone Age site located at Lake Magadi, Kenya, which the course instructor has been investigating since 1987. While in the field, students will learn the fundamentals of archaeological methodology including site survey, stratigraphy, taphonomy, excavation techniques, and laboratory analysis. Excursions to well-known archaeological sites in Kenya, including Olorgesailie, are planned. While engaged in fieldwork, students will participate in individual research projects.