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Archeology Program Internship
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park has about 1200 historic and prehistoric archeological sites currently documented in about 10% of the park inventoried. These sites range from historic ranch and tourism sites to prehistoric village sites and include features spanning at least the past 6,000 years. Each summer, the archeology intern gained expertise in archeological survey: conducting systematic transects, identifying archeological material, and using topographic maps and compasses. Each intern also learned to document surface archeological remains through detailed mapping and photography, through geographic positioning using Global Positioning System equipment, and through description of archeological materials. Laboratory work included entering site information into database systems and electronic site forms. During summer 2007, the intern spent 18 days in the field during three separate backcountry trips. Trips typically involved a long hike with a heavy pack to an un-surveyed part of the Yosemite Wilderness. Once at the site, the intern conducted transect surveys for pre-historic and historic sites, recorded discovered sites, and re-assessed the condition of known sites. Most challenging was recording detailed descriptions and photographic records of the artifacts and features of the 16 new archeology sites discovered during the course of the internship. The final two weeks of the internship were spent in the office digitally inputting and organizing the field data. During summer 2006, the intern with the park archeology program spent approximately 70% of the summer working in the field. Backcountry trips were either four or eight days’ duration, and involved hiking long distances in remote areas of the park. The primary objective of the program was to ensure compliance with preservation goals. Thus, the archeology staff and the intern worked closely with wilderness restoration crews to ensure that park restoration projects did not disturb cultural material. Other objectives of the field work included surveying for new sites and re-visiting previously-identified sites. This work involved surveying for obsidian flakes or bedrock mortar cups, taking pictures of sites, using a GPS device, and completing primary and archeological records for sites. Office work involved either preparing for field work or recording information upon return from the field. Specifically, the intern located site records and organized equipment prior to each trip, and entered field data, including photo logs and site records, upon return. Dates |