Archaeological Field School Open House at Beaver Island State Park: July 9 and 10

The Anthropology Department will host an open house at its Archaeological Field School at Beaver Island on Grand Island on Wednesday, July 9, and Thursday, July 10.

Between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., Lisa Marie Anselmi, project director and chair of anthropology, and field school participants will be on hand to guide visitors around the current excavations and to answer questions relating to the history of Native occupations on Grand Island and basic archaeological techniques.

"The field school exposes students to the archaeological exploration of Indigenous sites and the use of the local landscape by Indigenous peoples for thousands of years," said Anselmi.

"Students participating are excavating a multi-component Indigenous campsite in the park. They have also participated in two mapping and ground-penetrating radar projects at local historical cemeteries in Cheektowaga (Holy Mother of the Rosary) and in Niagara Falls (Oakwood Cemetery) with colleagues from the Earth Sciences and Science Education Department."

Also present at the open house will be representatives of the Grand Island Historical Society, who will discuss the historic property of River Lea and more modern occupations along the East River.

Activities will take place along the East River Trail in Beaver Island State Park, behind River Lea (enter Beaver Island State Park at the admission booths and then follow the signs to River Lea).

For more information, contact the Anthropology Department at (716) 878-6110.