REU Site: Upper Gila Preservation Archaeology Field School

该项目由SBE理事会的本科生研究经验(REU)站点计划资助。除了将研究和教育结合起来之外，它还具有科学和社会效益。位于新墨西哥州西南部农村的上吉拉保护考古实地学校，在一个长期研究项目的背景下，提供具有伦理责任感和科学严谨的考古方法的实践培训。培训是在保护考古学的精神下进行的，这是一种融合了宏观研究、现有藏品的使用、重点田野工作、遗址保护和当地社区推广的哲学。在经验丰富的讲师团队的密切监督下，该课程为本科生提供了一个身临其境的环境，在其中学习考古野外和实验室工作的基础知识，以及如何将他们的工作与与当代相关的更广泛的人类学问题联系起来。具体地说，学生接受挖掘和调查技术、实验考古学、文物处理和分析、报告写作和公开展示方面的培训。基于遗址是不可再生资源的前提，保护考古野外学校正在培训下一代学术、私营部门和政府机构的考古学家。这个项目吸引了来自不同文化和经济背景的优秀学生。招生对象是代表性不足的群体，包括美洲原住民、西班牙裔和社区/小型大学本科生，他们的STEM机会有限，以及来自主要学术机构的学生，以增加该学科中代表的观点的多样性。学生们的努力直接为考古西南大学的长期研究项目做出了贡献，该项目的重点是在接触前的晚期(公元1200-1450)美国西南部的萨拉多现象。这项研究研究了在西南部大部分地区的动乱和危机时期，文化多样性群体的移民和社会融合过程。学生批判性地思考考古学和历史对不同社区的价值，并探索不同的方式来交流科学研究成果。学生通过参与当地社区的外展活动、撰写研究报告和在专业会议上发表演讲，向不同的受众展示他们的工作。即使是没有继续从事考古工作的学生，也可以在积极的研究环境中，在协作和合作、批判性思维、与公众接触以及文化资源的重要性中学习宝贵的技能。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This project is funded from the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Sites program in the SBE Directorate. It has both scientific and societal benefits in addition to integrating research and education. The Upper Gila Preservation Archaeology Field School, located in rural southwestern New Mexico, provides hands-on training in ethically responsible and scientifically rigorous archaeological methods in the context of a long-term research project. Training is conducted within a Preservation Archaeology ethos, a philosophy integrating big-picture research, use of existing collections, focused fieldwork, site preservation, and local community outreach. Under the close supervision of a team of experienced instructors, this program offers undergraduate students an immersive environment in which to learn the fundamentals of archaeological field and laboratory work and how to link their work to broader anthropological issues that have contemporary relevance. Specifically, students are trained in excavation and survey techniques, experimental archaeology, artifact processing and analysis, report-writing, and public presentation. Based on the premise that sites are non-renewable resources, the Preservation Archaeology Field School is training the next generation of academic, private sector, and government agency archaeologists. This project attracts exceptional students from a variety of cultural and economic backgrounds. Student recruiting targets underrepresented groups, including Native American, Hispanic, and community/small college undergraduates with limited STEM opportunities, as well as students from major academic institutions to increase the diversity of views represented in the discipline. Student efforts contribute directly to Archaeology Southwest's long term research program focused on the Salado Phenomenon in the southern U.S. Southwest during the late pre-contact period (A.D. 1200-1450). This research studies the processes of migration and social integration of culturally diverse groups during this time of upheaval and crisis across much of the Southwest. Students think critically about the values of archaeology and history to different communities and explore different ways to communicate the results of scientific research. Students present their work to various audiences through participation in outreach events for the local community, writing research reports, and presentations at professional meetings. Even students who do not go on to pursue careers in archaeology learn valuable skills in collaboration and collegiality, critical thinking, engaging the public, and the importance of cultural resources, in an active research setting.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.