In 1824, Bishop Philander Chase founded Kenyon College and constructed several buildings to house himself, the new students, and a physician named Dr. Sparrow. These early structures and the daily experiences of the people who built them were largely forgotten by successive generations as Kenyon and its built environment grew and changed. In 2021, the remains of Bishop Chase’s early cabin and an associated dining hall were identified through archival research and remote sensing in front of the Church of the Holy Spirit. In this upper-level seminar, we will use Kenyon’s history as a case study for learning about different archaeological data collection methods and laboratory analysis of material culture dating to the early years of Kenyon. Archaeological methods include archival research, survey and mapping, vertical and horizontal excavation, scientific drawing and photography, and other precise data recording techniques. In this methods course, students will learn how to make preliminary interpretations of artifacts, write a detailed archaeological site report, and convey their findings to multiple audiences. This course is designed to give students hands-on experience with field-based archaeological methods. These include research design and planning, surface survey and mapping, excavation techniques, drawing and artifact recording, photography, and basic cataloging and artifact analysis. In addition, students will develop skills in archaeological interpretation, archival research, and community engagement. Each student will contribute to a final report and community presentation.
