Using Archeology to Empower Undergraduates

Laura Cripps

At the May 8 CCASM meeting Dr. Laura Cripps talked about trying to develop a general course for those with no prior knowledge or interest in archaeology.  She showed parts of the on-line "virtual excavation" that she uses in her archaeological methods class.  (There is no Internet reception in our meeting room, so we couldn't see it live.)  While doing the excavation, students learn a wide range of skills from learning to use Excel to learning how to look for information.  Of course, she talked about more than this one class.  She also described several research projects involving the students.

 Laura has also put up a website where students can "publish" their papers as well as show what archaeology they have been doing.  The actual title of Laura's talk was "AURA: Applied Undergraduate Research in Archaeology".   To see the website and what the students are doing  Click for more about AURA

Dr. Laura Cripps is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Howard Community College in Columbia, MD.

The talk was preceded by the annual CCASM business meeting and the biennial election of officers.  Below Barbara is giving the Treasurer's Report.

The new officers for  June 1, 2014 through May 31, 2016 are
President - Sarah Grady,  Vice President - Carol Cowherd,  Secretary - Sheila Geisert,  Treasurer - Elsie Picyk,  Board Members - Barbara Kane and Lindsey Denton.

Attendance: 16

2014 Port Tobacco Market Day

May 3 was the fifth Port Tobacco Market Day.  It included vendors of antiques, crafts, and food.  The Charles County Garden Club had their annual plant sale.

And once again CCASM was there with our archaeological displays and activities.   In addition to our regular displays, Jim brought artifacts - ceramics and animal bones- from the Burch House excavations.   Polly brought a new display/activity showing how what we leave behind tells archaeologist what we were doing.  Rich and Barbara came up with a new activity involving broken dishes.

Members helping out at the booth were Jim, Elsie, Barbara, Peggy, Rich, and Carol.  As usual I got caught up with talking with people and forgot to take that many pictures.  Here are some photos from the slower times.

   

Charles County Government and the Society of the Restoration for Port Tobacco (SRPT) recently formed a partnership for operating the historic Port Tobacco Courthouse, Stagg Hall, and Burch House.  The day started with a ribbon-cutting event at 9 a.m. to celebrate this partnership.

SRPT Board and County Employees

SRPT and County Commissioners