The IFR is celebrating our inaugural season of the Peru: Cajamarca Ethnoarchaeology Field School led by UCLA’s Dr. Solsiré Cusicanqui. Over the course of 17 days, students traced the threads of Andean history from museum collections in Lima, to key archaeological sites, and all the way to the highland town of San Miguel de Pallaques, where they worked side by side with master weavers preserving and innovating thousands of years of living textile traditions. The project’s goal was twofold: to understand the deep cultural roots of weaving in Andean society, and to explore how archaeology and contemporary artisan practice can inform one another. The program affords a richly multidisciplinary experience for budding field researchers, integrating archaeology, ethnography, and community [...]

Two-million-year-old baby jaws are reshaping what we thought we knew about early human evolution. A new study published in Nature Communications and co-authored by paleoanthropologist Dr. José Braga, introduces evidence that different early human species had distinct facial and jaw traits from infancy, suggesting that the genus Homo was already more diverse and complex than we once believed. The research examined three rare fossilized Homo infant skull fragments, one from Ethiopia attributed to Homo habilus and two from South Africa, from a species closely related to Homo erectus. Though tiny, these fossils fragments carry big implications. They show that different human species already followed separate developmental paths from birth, rather than just shaped by environment or lifestyle as they grew [...]

The Institute for Field Research is proud to celebrate Dr. Michelle Rathgaber and Sarah Shepard of the Arkansas Archeological Survey (ARAS) for receiving Honorable Mention for Outstanding Achievement in Preservation Education at the Preserve Arkansas Awards. This recognition highlights their leadership in the Fayetteville Curation Literacy field school, an IFR-supported program dedicated to training students in best practices for archaeological curation and collections management held during the 2024 field season. Recognizing Excellence in Archaeological Preservation Each year, Preserve Arkansas—a nonprofit dedicated to protecting and promoting the state’s historic resources—honors projects and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to heritage preservation, education, and advocacy. The Outstanding Achievement in Preservation Education Award spotlights initiatives that advance knowledge and training [...]

Field schools are a chance to roll up your sleeves and dive into the world of hands-on research. Whether you’re digging into Bronze Age ruins in Turkey or studying environmental science in the Mediterranean, applying to a field school is the first step toward building your career in the field sciences (and beyond). Field schools can be competitive, and a well-crafted application is your ticket in. Here are three essential tips to help your application stand out and get you one step closer to the field. Show us you've done your research Field schools are about making meaningful contributions to real research projects in some of the most incredible sites across the globe. Your application is the [...]

With the holiday season in full swing, it’s the perfect time to start preparing for your summer archaeology adventures. Whether you’re gearing up for your first field school or returning as a seasoned excavator, the costs of these experiences can add up. The good news? The holidays offer a fantastic opportunity to ask for gifts that support your archaeological dreams. From essential field tools to gear that makes long days in the field more comfortable, consider putting these items on your wish list—or share this guide with friends and family looking for thoughtful ways to support your journey. Curated by our Director of Programs, Kate- a seasoned archaeologist who knows exactly what’s needed to succeed in your first field school- [...]

Meet Kate Rose IFR Director of Programs We are excited to welcome Kate Rose as the new Director of Programs at the Institute for Field Research! A dedicated anthropological archaeologist, Kate specializes in landscape studies and ancient urbanism in the Near East and North Africa. With 15 years of field experience, she is passionate about the intersection of fieldwork and pedagogy, having served in various leadership roles on projects in Egypt, Sudan, Iraq, Turkey, Jordan, and Spain. Kate joins IFR from her previous role as a postdoctoral researcher with the ERC DiverseNile Project at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, where she employed innovative digital methods to enhance our understanding of Bronze Age Nubia. As a first-generation college [...]

As our 2024 field season begins to comes to a close, many of our students are reflecting on their experiences and looking ahead to the next steps in their academic and professional journeys. To inspire and guide this transition, we're revisiting the insightful "Archiving the Archaeologists" feature on Julie Stein, a distinguished member of our board, published by the Society for American Archaeology (SAA). Julie Stein’s feature was among the first in the SAA series, yet her journey and reflections remain incredibly relevant, especially for those just beginning to chart their own paths in the world of field research. The "Archiving the Archaeologists" series is dedicated to capturing the personal insights and reflections of archaeologists who have made significant [...]

This summer, students from around the world embarked on an extraordinary journey through time and place with IFR’s China: Yangguanzhai Excavation Field School. As we close out a successful field season excavating at Yangguanzhai, we are taking a look back at what has made this program so impactful and memorable through the eyes of the IFR’s 2024 student cohort. Their reflections provide a vivid account of discovery, learning, and cultural immersion, painting a picture of a transformative experience that blends rigorous hands-on learning with rich personal exploration. We can’t forget a fair amount of fun as well! Settling In The Yangguanzhai field school is broken down into two parts, with an initial week of lectures [...]

Do you have a camera roll full of memories from your IFR field school adventures? Whether you've unearthed ancient artifacts, forged unforgettable friendships, or explored breathtaking landscapes (and hopefully all of the above), this is your chance to share those memorable moments with the IFR community, and win some great cash prizes in the process. Here are the details for our summer 2024 contest. PRIZES One winner in each photo category will receive a $150 Visa gift card. The winner of the short video category will receive a $300 Visa gift card. CATEGORIES Cultural Landscapes [photo] Highlight the unique cultural and natural landscapes that shaped your field school experience. Ancient ruins, awe-inspiring landmarks, the [...]