DonateMartin University Archaeology Project Sponsors Symposium at Midwest Archaeological Conference
Martin University’s Next Step Education through Archaeology Project [NSEAP] recently sponsored a symposium at the 2006 Midwest Archaeological Conference. The symposium highlighted the significant contributions to Indiana’s heritage made by the archaeological research conducted at Fort Harrison State Park located in Indianapolis, IN. The NSEAP staff presented research papers at the symposium represented by not only Martin University, but also IUPUI, Indiana University, Butler University, Ball State University, University of Indianapolis, and Binghamton University, New York.
High school students in Martin University’s NSEAP program also presented their research at this year’s conference, including Elijah Stately from Arsenal Technical High School, Vernon Knox from North Central High School, and Sean Bundles from Decatur Central High School. The high school students’ accomplishments highlight the success of the archaeological project’s eight years of efforts.
Since 1999, Martin University has been conducting archaeological investigations of two sites using a unique strategy of collecting the artifacts from the ground’s surface after it has been divided into one-meter-by-one-meter squares. A total of 8,828 of these squares have been collected, which may represent the most intensive surface-collected archaeological site in the U.S. The sites contain prehistoric artifacts that may date to as early as 8,000 years ago, as well as artifacts that represent the early pioneer settlement of Marion County. The sites are now being nominated for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.
The Project’s core activity is a six-week summer archaeological research field school for Indianapolis high school students investigating the human occupation at Fort Harrison State Park. Students conduct field work, follow analytical procedures, have individualized mentored research, and complete an extensive research paper.
For more information on Martin University’s NSEAP project, contact Harry Murphy, director of the NSEAP project, at (317) 917-3305 or visit www.martin.edu.