Digging out from Winter
The snow is almost gone and we have even had a few days in the 40s. Clear ground and improved weather can mean only one thing: it’s almost time for archaeology season to begin!
The archaeology teams has spent most of the cold winter days in the lab cataloging and analyzing artifacts from last spring. But cabin fever has set in and they’re ready to get their trowels out and start uncovering more Madison history.
Archaeologists using using a remote sensing device to locate sites (click for more detail)
Sound like a cool job? It is, but why should the archaeologists have all of the fun? You can join the team for a week. Throughout the week, team members get actual excavation experience on an archaeological site. They work side-by-side Montpelier’s eight professional archaeologists in the lab and the field. This personal interaction allows you to work on sensitive features, artifacts, and deposits that normally one would not get to handle.
The program runs seven days and six nights. Two accommodations options are available. Those who participate through the Expeditions program stay in Arlington House at Montpelier. Excursions participants stay in a local inn of their choice.
This season the archaeology team will explore the Madisons’ Stable Quarter Complex. We know where the stable is because of an 1837 insurance plat. Archaeologists also located a slave quarter in this area in the 1990s and conducted an initial study of this site. This season, the team will return to this area to learn more about this part of the estate.
This will be a busy and exciting season. We hope lots of people join us to learn more about Montpelier and the finer points of archaeology! To learn how you can join the archaeologists, please click here to explore our archaeology programs page.
Tags: Archaeology, Landscape