Society Activities

Texas Archeology Academy

Texas Archeology Academies 2010

Looking for a way to expand your knowledge of archaeology?  Have an interest in stone tools or pottery?  Did our Archaeology 101 academy leave you hungry for more?  Look no further- here are the offerings for 2010!

Ceramics: The Stories Found in Pottery

Registration Deadline for Ceramics: is passed.

We begin with our popular Ceramics: The Stories Found in Pottery Academy, held in San Marcos at the Texas State University campus on February 6-7, 2010.  Led by Dr. Harry Shafer, with a demonstration by Chuck Hixson, this academy will show you the importance of ceramics in terms of chronology, dating, technology, trade and exchange, subsistence, social and political identities.  Hands on exercises will enable students to recognize and sort sherds to answer questions about ancient lifeways.

Lithics: Reading Stone Artifacts

Registration Deadline for Lithics: IS PASSED!.

Lithics is back! After a year off, we will hold a Lithics: Reading Stone Artifacts Academy in Kerrville on February 20-21, 2010.  Exercises include hands on experience recognizing and analyzing stone artifacts, along with distinguishing wear patterns and functional uses.  Participants will learn why stone artifacts are important, how they are produced and used, and how stone tools contribute to the archeological record.  The academy will be taught by Dr. Harry Shafer with assistance from flintknapper Cary Voss, who will explain how the archaeological record is formed as he demonstrates stone tool manufacture techniques.

Geoarchaeology: Recognizing and Evaluating the Archaeological Potential of the Landscape.

The Geoarchaeology Academy was full 02/21/2010!.

Our newest academy this year is called Geoarchaeology: Recognizing and Evaluating the Archaeological Potential of the Landscape. Get ready to trek over some rough terrain on archaeologically rich Ft. Hood with Charles Frederick and Karl Kibler as they teach you how landscape settings influence site context, visibility and preservation. Hands on exercises will offer participants the opportunity to see what can be learned from the geography of Texas. This academy will be held March 20-21 on the campus of Central Texas College in Killeen with field exercises on Ft. Hood.

All workshops are intended for anyone interested in archeological topics.  Avocational archeologists experience new dimensions of expertise; professional archeologists benefit from review; undergraduates, graduate students and educators may receive credit for the classes.  The goal of Texas Archeology Academies is to show how archeology is done and why we do it.

Registration Information

Fees are $100 for members and $160 for non-members (includes Individual membership fee). Student and family membership fees are also available. Fees include a CD manual, lunch and snacks during the class sessions. TAS is a provider of professional development accredited through SBEC. Credits may be received by teachers attending classes

Continuing Professional Education

Teachers will receive credit for class and field trip hours.  TAS is a provider of professional development through SBEC.

Scholarships

If support is sufficient, two Collegiate Scholarships will be given for each Academy, each year.  If not already a Texas Archeological Society member, the scholarship recipient will be registered as a TAS student member for the current year, and will receive the Bulletin of the Texas Archeological Society and Texas Archeology newsletter.  Academy registration will be covered; this includes a CD version of the manual, lunches and snacks during Academy sessions, and any materials needed.  The scholarship recipient will also receive an allowance of $100 to assist with transportation and lodging costs.  The deadline to apply for Collegiate Scholarships is one month before each Academy. Dates for spring Academies will be posted on the web site by the preceding November for the spring Academy sessions.  More Collegiate Scholarship information.  Apply for a collegiate scholarship online.

Two additional scholarships will be awarded each year by the Diversity Committee.  The deadline to apply is one month before each Academy.  Dates for spring Academies will be posted on the web site by November preceding the spring Academy sessions.