2025 Summer Field School

Field students standing around the Great Kiva at Chaco Canyon.Archaeology Southwest has partnered with the University of Arizona and Western New Mexico University Museum to provide archaeological field and laboratory training as part of an active research project during the summer. More than 120 undergraduate and graduate students from 30 different U.S. states and territories have been trained through this program since 2011.

Our current research focuses on the Mimbres area of southwestern New Mexico. In the 11th century, people in the Mimbres area built thriving farming communities in desert river valleys and produced beautiful pottery famous for its black-on-white painted designs. Students practicing their cataloging skills.Our research examines and catalogs a significant collection of Mimbres material housed in an important but underfunded rural museum. Students in the field school learn collections-based archaeological research, museum curation, experimental archaeology, and archaeological survey skills.

From 2014 to 2022, the field school received support from the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates program. Funding from this program is specifically intended to provide opportunities for students from underrepresented groups. During this time, 52% of our students came from underrepresented groups, and we were able to help non-traditional students, veterans, community college students, and first-generation college students learn archaeological field skills.

A storm approaches on a house built by the field students.

Unfortunately, the current administration has focused on tearing down programs that support underserved populations, and opportunities for federal funding to help students afford education and research experiences are disappearing.

Field school students in their trench.

We invite you to support a unique opportunity for students who otherwise would not be able to afford this amazing chance to participate in an archaeological field school. Your donation will help students from varied backgrounds and income levels gain essential skills that will help shape their future. By contributing, you will be ensuring that talented individuals from all backgrounds have the chance to explore and contribute to our understanding of Southwestern archaeology.