Anthropology Field Schools
Get your hands dirty.
Illinois State Field Schools
Our department runs two archaeological field schools.
Heyworth, IL
The Noble-Wieting archaeological site is a large Native American village dating back to 1200 A.D. Students continue to unearth ancient tools, ceramic bowls, elk bones, and more. Not taking applications for Summer 2026.
Learn more about field school in Heyworth
Kampsville, IL
Geophysics For Archaeological Investigations Field School
Dates: June 14-27, 2026 (students must enroll for both weeks)
Credits: 3 units total
CAA Fee: $1600
Geophysics for Archaeological Investigations is an intensive two-week field school for students wanting to learn geophysics survey, analysis, and interpretation of archaeological sites. Fieldwork will focus on ground-penetrating radar and magnetometry at archaeological sites in the Lower Illinois Valley. The geophysics field school is operated in partnership with the Vanderbilt Institute for Spatial Research
CAA ISU Adult Field School
Dates: June 28-August 9, 2026 (students may enroll for 1-6 weeks.)
Credits: 1 unit per week
CAA Fee: $800 per week
The Adult Field School in intensive field experience for undergraduates, graduate students, and adults of all ages. During the 2026 field season, fieldwork will be at the German Site, a Late Woodland / Jersey Bluff Phase habitation site located on a colluvial slope in the Crawford Creek valley. Students participate in problem-oriented research with CAA archaeologists and fellow students while learn archaeological excavation and laboratory methods, including unit excavation, soil description, mapping, artifact and debris processing, flotation sampling and processing, and more.
Learn more about the field school in Kampsville Please note, the fees for the field schools are in addition to ISU tuition for ANT 381 or 481 (register for 1-6 variable units as appropriate). The fee covers room and board at the Kampsville site and can be paid online. Non-ISU students will need to apply to ISU as a visiting student through the Office of Admissions to enroll in ANT 381 or 481.
Cherokee, NC
The Historic Cherokee Landscapes project investigates Cherokee community resilience and reformation during the 16th century to early 18th century. This was a period of volatile change in the U.S. Southeast due to warfare, disease, and involvement in global economic networks associated with European colonization.
Additional Field Schools
We partner with lots of other schools and organizations around the world to offer engaging archaeological training.
Giecz, Poland
Experience human osteology and mortuary archeology at an early medieval inhumation cemetery.
Learn more about field school in Poland
Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Get practical experience in ethnographic methods and engage in cross-cultural processes. At this field school, you'll study the complex social and political contexts between culture and environment.
Learn more about field school in Mexico
ArchaeoSpain - Spain, Italy, and Greece
Choose a program and location that most interests you. ArchaeoSpain lets you excavate ancient sites with professional archaeologists. You'll experience history first-hand and learn how to uncover the past.
Blackfriary Archaeology Field School - Ireland
Learn archaeological field methods in a friendly supportive environment in an excellent, long established Field School at the Blackfriary, Trim, Co. Meath, Ireland.