Illinois State Archaeological Survey (ISAS) curation section head Tamira Brennan and senior collections specialist Sara Pfannkuche will be leading an intensive, multi-week and experiential summer curatorial program entitled “Archaeological Curation from Field to Lab, Illinois, USA” in collaboration with the Institute for Field Research (IFR). The program, which will be held at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is a unique opportunity for aspiring archaeologists and curators.
Spanning six weeks, the program offers intensive hands-on training designed to deepen understanding and proficiency across various facets of the discipline. Participants will delve into the identification of artifacts from precontact North America, develop a comprehensive knowledge of the culture-history of the Midwestern US, and explore the intricacies of modern curation practices as they intersect with fieldwork challenges.
During the program, students will split their time between curatorial work and excavation activities. The excavation component, taking place on the Urbana campus, provides hands-on experience in standard North American field methods, contributing to a holistic understanding of archaeological collections, from initial curation to final stages. Additionally, field trips, guest lectures from industry experts, and group discussions enrich the learning experience, providing participants with invaluable insights and networking opportunities.
ISAS’s curatorial and repository spaces house 24,000 ft3 of archaeological material, including artifacts excavated through projects contracted by the Illinois Department of Transportation and research conducted by U. of I. faculty, staff, and students.
Brennan has served as director for the Archaeological Curation Field School in collaboration with the IFR in previous years. These collaborations took place at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, in 2022, and at the Center for Archaeological Investigations in Carbondale, Illinois, in 2021.
Established in March 2011, IFR operates as an independent, nonprofit academic organization. Through partnerships with scholars worldwide, IFR facilitates evidence-based field science programs across diverse disciplines. Students participating in an IFR field school receive college credit units through the institute's academic partner, Connecticut College.
For more information about the course, visit https://ifrglobal.org/program/us-il-archaeological-curation/.