Work
No experience is necessary as new volunteers are teamed up with experienced volunteers for hands on learning. Volunteer opportunities range from field excavations to laboratory processing of artifacts. This year we will be investigating the Bockmier pre-contact site, dated between 1200-1250 AD. This appears to be an ancestral Iroquois village but also contains components from other time periods. This is an archaeological field school where volunteers will learn site layout, excavation techniques, soil sampling, plan and profile mapping and processing artifacts (projectile points, pottery, tools etc.).
The workday is from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. The work is done in a friendly and supportive environment. Please understand that this is hard physical labor and includes digging with a trowel or shovel, screening soil and carrying buckets of dirt. Each person will work at their own pace according to their physical condition.
The temperature can be quite hot or cool and rainy. BRING work gloves, work shoes and clothing, including a warm coat or sweatshirt, sun hat, rain coat, long sleeve shirts and pants as there will be mosquitoes. The work site can be dirty and muddy so multiple sets of work clothes are a good idea. Sunscreen and bug spray will be provided.
Accomodation and food
American and international volunteers will stay in apartments, which are a short drive away from the dig site. Separate rooms will be available for female and male volunteers. BRING sleeping bag or your own bedding. All food and meals will be provided for volunteers. We will cook meals together or eat out at local restaurants. Vegetarian options will be available.
Be sure to tell the other volunteers and the co-leader if you have any special diet needs.
Location and leisure
Location: The town of Allegany is located in a rural part of New York State. The area is a mixture of small towns, forests and farms. The dig site is in a field that is currently used as an organic vegetable farm in a beautiful setting beside the Allegheny River.
Volunteers will attend the very special Seneca Nation Pow Wow, an amazing Native American festival where a wide range of activities will be held. This is an opportunity to take an in depth look at Native American culture. Ample time is provided for trips to local parks, a Native American museum and local points of interest.
There will be many opportunities to enjoy beauty and nature and there will be formal and informal discussions about topics of interest to the group. Bring music, games or other activities to share.
Project hosted by
The Allegheny Valley Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing opportunities for all people regardless of age and previous abilities to participate in archaeological discovery.
Meeting point
Please arrive to the meeting point on the day the project starts.
Additional comments
Website: alleghenyvalleyproject.com
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/TheAlleghenyValleyProject/
Requirements
Volunteers must obtain health and accident insurance for the duration of your travel and stay in the US. This insurance must cover you for all medical eventualities. You must bring your insurance card or receipts with you. If you cannot prove that you have insurance on arrival, you will not be allowed to take part in our workcamps. Some travel related insurance carriers are World Nomads, HTH Worldwide, and Global Rescue LLC