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Anthropology Department

Pine Lake Archaeological Field School

2026 Dates to be Announced in January

Why Hartwick?

Located on the flood plain of Charlotte Creek, the Pine Lake Field Archaeological School investigates prehistoric camp sites dating from the Late Archaic period (c. 3000-1000 BCE) through the discovery and analysis of lithic debitage, projectile points, early ceramics – and more.

The Course: ANTH 421 Field Research in Archaeology

The Field School course is offered every two years.

  • Get first-hand experience identifying, excavating, recording, and interpreting archaeological sites.


  • Develop proficiency in the basic methods and skills of excavation, as well as field and lab procedures for processing materials recovered during excavation.


  • Develop your understanding of Northeast Pre-historic Native American cultural traditions.


  • Earn six credits towards your degree, qualifying for employment in the field of cultural resources management (CRM).
Namita Sanjay Sugandhi

"Hartwick’s Archaeological Field School at Pine Lake provides a great opportunity to learn, practice, and master scientific methods of archaeological excavation and analysis."

Namita Sugandhi

Associate Professor of Anthropology & Field School Director

Field School Benefits

Arrowhead found at at Hartwick College's Pine Lake Environmental Campus Archaeological Field School dig site

Preparation for Graduate School

Completing a field school positions you for a variety of more advanced educational opportunities (research or teaching assistantships, internships, independent studies, internships), and gives you an edge over others when there is a competitive application process for those opportunities.

Field Archaeology student measuring excavation site at Hartwick College's Pine Lake Environmental Campus dig

Employment Opportunities

Our field school provides more expansive, in-depth, and rigorous training than more informal field opportunities, preparing you for a variety of field-based disciplines that require prior field work experience.

Field Archaeology students working at Hartwick College's Pine Lake Environmental Campus dig site

Personal Growth

Learn about yourself and what you are capable of, develop enduring friendships, and in archaeology you also develop a more intimate understanding of past peoples and lifeways, as well as the fulfillment of actually touching and examining artifacts that were last in human hands hundreds to thousands of years ago (depending on the project you join).

Earn credits toward your college degree!

This ANTH 421 Field Research in Archaeology offers anthropology majors and minors 6 credits in an upper level course.

Non-anthropology majors: Many programs have field or other experiential learning requirements that can be met by taking this course. Discuss this option with your major advisor first to determine its eligibility in your own program.

Field Archaeology student shoveling dirt at excavation site at Hartwick College's Pine Lake Environmental Campus dig
Field Archaeology students at excavation site at Hartwick College's Pine Lake Environmental Campus dig
Field Archaeology student gathering water in bucket at excavation site at Hartwick College's Pine Lake Environmental Campus dig
Field Archaeology student poring water at excavation site at Hartwick College's Pine Lake Environmental Campus dig to fins artifacts in soil
Field Archaeology student excavating site at Hartwick College's Pine Lake Environmental Campus
Tool artifacts found at Field Archaeology School excavation site at Hartwick College's Pine Lake Environmental Campus
Arrowhead artifacts found at Field Archaeology School excavation site at Hartwick College's Pine Lake Environmental Campus

All the Details

Once you have registered and been accepted to the Field School, additional information and documentation will be sent to you for completion prior to the start of the course.

2026 Dates TBA

Class Meets in the Field: Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Class Meeting in the Lab: Two evenings per week from 5:15 – 7:15 p.m.

Archaeological field work requires the ability to constantly use your hands and arms, walk, crouch, bend, kneel, and lift heavy buckets of soil. You will be required to work outdoors in potentially adverse conditions: heat, cold, wind, rain, etc. Because we work as a team, it is important that you be able to get along well with others and be able to take constructive criticism and follow directions.

The course takes place at the Pine Lake archaeological site, located on Hartwick College’s Pine Lake Environmental Campus, Davenport, New York.

More About Pine Lake

2026 Costs TBA

Tuition:
Program Fee:
Housing at Pine Lake: Additional (see below)

Send Check to: Office of Student Accounts, Hartwick College, P.O. Box 4020, Oneonta, NY 13820. Include ANTH 421 in the memo line.

 

You are not required to live at Pine Lake during the course. We do encourage it, however, for its convenience and facilitating a great field experience.

Housing at Pine Lake: 2026 Cost TBA– depending on housing option.
Roberston Lodge: double rooms; single rooms
Robertson Lodge Apartment: 1 bedroom shared with 2 students or super single for 1 student
Cabins with Single Bedrooms: Bailey, Redwood Two, Outback One , Outback Two

More About Pine Lake Housing

If not living at Pine Lake, you are responsible for getting yourself to/from Pine Lake, on-time, every class day.

You are responsible for all of your own meals, snacks, and beverages regardless of where you live during the course. You need to pack your own lunch and snacks to take out to the field – there is only a half hour lunch break, insufficient time to go anywhere to get food during the class day.

Registration

2026 Registration Information TBA
Hartwick Students: Register through Self-Service.
Search: ANTH 421 Field Research in Archaeology

Visiting Students: Submit your non-matriculated/visiting student application.
Select "Non-matriculated/visiting student: no plans to seek a degree at Hartwick College"
Login credentials will be sent to you for access to Self-Service to complete course registration.

Field School Director

Namita Sugandhi

Associate Professor of Anthropology
[email protected]
607-431-4853

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

Contact Namita Sugandhi, Associate Professor of Anthropology, [email protected].

Department of Anthropology