2026 Season - To Be Announced
Excavation period
The Ontario Field School provides a focused and intensive introduction to archaeological field methods, from Stage Two (field survey) to Stage Three and Four (excavation). Students participating in the program will become familiar with a variety of survey methods and excavation equipment, learn about the Standards and Guidelines that govern archaeological work in Ontario, gain practical experience excavating in Ontario, and obtain experience in artifact processing and documentation.
Excavations will focus on a historical dwelling on the Trent University campus in Peterborough, Ontario. The dwelling was a nineteenth-century homestead and contains architectural details and material culture associated with this period of settler history in Ontario. Work at the site will focus on identifying the structural layout and household use of space.
This is a non-residential field school; however, summer accommodations are available on the Trent University campus for additional cost. Students should be aware that most food services are not available at Trent over the summer, but there are kitchens in the residence that the students can use, along with many take-out/delivery restaurant options nearby.
Details for the 2026 Field School
This year the course will run Monday to Friday in the in the summer academic term, beginning on TBA and ending on TBA, 2026. It will consist of a four-week-long excavation period, in which laboratory and excavation procedures will be taught.
Application Procedures
There is a $250 CDN course fee in addition to tuition to cover equipment costs and supplies used during the course. This fee will be charged to your student account upon notification of your acceptance into the field school.
Course enrollment is by permission of instructor. Please note that because we need to focus on providing instruction to enrolled students, we do not accept volunteers on this program. If you are no longer a student or otherwise are interested in obtaining some not-for-credit field experience, please contact James Conolly for information about summer short courses in archaeological field methods.
For Further Information
Please contact Professor James Conolly.
Credit and enrollment
Students who enroll in ANTH 3000Y (Ontario) at Trent University will receive Full-Course credit (1 credit). Please note that because we need to focus on providing instruction to enrolled students, we do not accept volunteers on this program. If you are no longer a student or otherwise are interested in obtaining some not-for-credit field experience, please contact James Conolly for information about summer short courses in archaeological field methods.
Tuition fees
Please refer to Trent's website for information on summer fees (typically determined in April).
There is a $250 CDN course fee in addition to tuition, which will be charged to your student account.
Equipment
Students are responsible for medical expenses, personal insurance, personal equipment, their accommodation and meals, and transportation to the campus/dig site. We provide excavation equipment, but we ask you please supply your own basic safety equipment, consisting of:
1. CSA (Green Tab) work boots (the lighter the better: heavy treads should be avoided)
2. Reflective Safety vest (available from Marks Work Wearhouse for $19.99)
3. Hat and Gloves
4. Raincoat
5. Sunscreen and bug spray
6. Water bottle
You may also wish to purchase your own trowel. If so, please buy (e.g., from Canadian Tire or Home Depot) a 5 ½” Pointing Trowel (also called a masonry trowel – Marshalltown are the best).
Participation in the project requires a waiver that will be provided upon admittance into the course. As weather conditions are unpredictable and rapidly changing students are advised to come prepared for a variety of weather conditions (cool/wet and hot/sunny). They also should be prepared to get dirty and not wear anything they will get upset about if it is lost or ruined (i.e. good clothes, jewelry).