ALLEGANY VALLEY PROJECT, ALLEGANY, NEW YORK is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing opportunities for all people regardless of age and previous abilities to participate in archaeological discovery. Visit http://alleghenyvalleyproject.blogspot.com/ for more information.
WORK:
No experience is necessary as new volunteers are teamed up with experienced volunteers for hands on learning. Volunteer opportunities range from field excavations to laboratory processing of artifacts. This is an archaeological field school where volunteers will learn site layout, excavation techniques, soil sampling, plan and profile mapping and processing artifacts (projectile points, pottery, tools etc.). The workday is from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. The work is done in a friendly and supportive environment. Please understand that this is hard physical labor and involves digging with a trowel or shovel, screening soil and carrying buckets of dirt. This year we will be investigating the Bockmier precontract site between 1200-1250 AD. This appears to be an Iroquois village but also contains components from other time periods.
STUDY THEME:
Archeology and Native American culture.
ACCOMMODATION:
American and international volunteers will stay in apartments which are a short drive away from the dig site. Separate rooms will be available for female and male volunteers. BRING sleeping bag or your own bedding. All food and meals will be provided for volunteers. We will cook meals together or eat out at local restaurants. Vegetarian options will be available.
LOCATION:
We will work in the town of Allegany in a rural part of New York state. The area is a mixture of small towns, forests, and farms. The dig site is in a field that is currently used as an organic vegetable garden in a beautiful setting beside the Allegheny River.
LEISURE ACTIVITIES:
Volunteers will attend the very special Sennaca Nation Pow Wow, an amazing Native American festival where a wide range of activities will be held. This is an opportunity to take an in depth look at Native American culture. Ample time is provided for trips to local parks, a Native American museum and local points of interest.
« I would recommend participating in a workcamp, especially with VAP, who ensured that I found a project to suit me and provided essential training for me in preparation for my trip. Being part of a workcamp really is a life-changing experience, oh, and it looks great on your CV! »
