The UCSD Archaeological Field School in Peru
July 5 to August 2, 2008

Join us for the UCSD archaeological field school in Moquegua, Peru this summer! Students will participate in the excavation and laboratory analysis of Rio Muerto, a Tiwanaku culture town and cemetery dating to the 8th century AD. Through hands-on experience, we will learn archaeological research design, and methods of survey, field data collection, laboratory curation and analysis of ceramics, human skeletal collections, textiles and wooden and metal artifacts.

The Setting

The Rio Muerto site is located in the Moquegua Valley, a green oasis in Peru's coastal desert. Our field camp is near the picturesque old colonial town of Moquegua, famed for its quiet charm, colonial wineries, and rich archaeological heritage.



The Site

The Rio Muerto site was one of Peru's largest known settlements of the Tiwanaku culture. This year, we will be excavating in domestic and cemetery areas of the site. Preservation is excellent and we expect both mummified and skeletal remains, textiles and a range of artifacts and offerings.



The Work Week

Mondays through fridays we will be excavating or working in the lab. It is hot and the desert sun is fierce, so our work day begins and ends early! Our bases for lab work are the Museo Contisuyo, in the city of Moquegua, one of South America's premier regional museums, and at our project field camp at Estacion Conde, in the Moquegua valley. Weekends are reserved for group excursions visiting local sites of interest and free time. We will also be celebrating the "Veintiocho" (July 28) weekend, Peruvian Independence Day.





Academics

All students register for ANAR 119S, Archaeological Field and Lab Class (8 credits). Students may also optionally register for ANAR 157 Early Empires of the Andes (4 credits) which will require additional readings and meeting time. Prerequisites are Sophomore standing and permission of the instructor.

Health Requirements

Field archaeology in the desert can be strenuous. Students must submit a physician's certificate, proof of vaccinations and insurance, and waivers upon acceptance to the program.

Costs

Students pay regular UCSD tuition and fees and a project program fee that covers room and board, local transportation and all instructional costs in Peru. UCSD students are eligible for financial aid. Fees do not include international airfares to Arequipa, Peru, where the program begins and ends.

Application Process

Please print, fill out, and sign the Application and send to Professor Paul Goldstein at

Dr. Paul Goldstein
Department of Anthropology
UCSD 9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla, CA 92093-0532

Enrollment is limited, and preference may go to applicants with field and coursework in archaeology and a knowledge of Spanish. If you have any questions please contact me at psgoldstein@ucsd.edu.