Archaeology Dig 2007: Robert Given House, Pemaquid Falls, Maine

Field School in Focus

The 2007 field school for the Department of Social Sciences, Southern Main Community College will be held between July 30 and August 10, 2007, at the 18th century estate of Robert Givens, near Pemaquid Falls, Maine. Director Neill de Paoli sent this description along.

Overview

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be an archaeologist? Come visit the scenic coast of Maine and join Dr. Neill De Paoli as he directs the sixth year of excavations of the late 18th century farmstead of prominent Pemaquid merchant Robert Given. Participants will explore the home and blacksmith shop of one of 18th century Pemaquid's leading families and continue the search for a late 17th century farming hamlet that clustered about Pemaquid Falls. This experience is a great hands-on opportunity for upper level high school and college students seeking course credit and experience in historical archaeology, teachers in need of recertification credits, or history buffs interested in exploring an area with a rich colonial history.

Program

During the field school, participants will learn basic excavation and recording techniques, laboratory procedures, and the identification of 18th-and early 19th century archaeological features and Anglo-American and European artifacts. The program will be highlighted by field trips to the heart of the 17th century English fishing and trading settlement of Pemaquid and an archaeology conservation laboratory along with weekly films and discussions. Southern Maine Community College (South Portland) is offering the archaeological field school as a two-credit history course (HTY-192-01). Participants sign up for a single session that runs from July 30-August 10. The program will run Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Space is limited to fourteen enrollees.

Tuition and Registration

Field school tuition is $196.20 for Maine residents and $358.20 for out-of state residents. Course registration closes on July 29, 2007. Payment can be made by cash, check, debit card, or credit card. To register log on to the Southern Maine Community College website or write or call Enrollment Services, Southern Maine Community College, Fort Road, South Portland, ME 04106, 207-741-5800 or 1-877-282-2182 (toll-free number for in-state calls). Otherwise contact, Dr. Neill De Paoli, 76 Northwest Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801, Phone: 603-766-0561, e-mail: ndppquid@yahoo.com. For those seeking information on area accommodations contact Dr. De Paoli.

Director

Dr. Neill De Paoli has over thirty years of experience as a historical archaeologist, having directed archaeological projects in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. Dr. De Paoli has been the resident archaeologist at the Colonial Pemaquid State Historic Site (Pemaquid Beach, Maine) since 1993 and is an adjunct professor at Southern Maine Community College in South Portland.

More Information

• Friends of Colonial Pemaquid
• Friends of Colonial Pemaquid report on the field school 2006
• Southern Maine Community College
• More Field Schools in Focus
• Archaeology Digs 2007