(Posted 4-24-00)
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News Service Contact: Laurie Gengenbach, 336-334-5371
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CONTRACT ARCHAEOLOGY PROGRAM UNDER WAY
GREENSBORO — The University of North Carolina at Greensboro has created a new program in contract archaeology, thus providing even more opportunities for students to gain field experience.
The program takes advantage of the growing demand for archaeological surveys and has potential to increase the Triad area’s knowledge of its historic and pre-historic past, thereby melding the UNCG mission of delivering learning and service in a student-centered environment.
Traditionally, the Archaeology Program at UNCG has stressed academics, and field work for the most part was pursued in Europe or the Middle East. The new program gives budding archaeologists an opportunity to work locally.
“We are not abandoning our academic focus as we train students to get involved in public archaeology, but we are adding an extra dimension to the program which will benefit the local community,” said Dr. Jeffrey S. Soles, chairman of the UNCG Archaeology Program. “Happily, this initiative will also provide students with paid internships and future job opportunities.”
Contracts will most-likely come from government developments, or those that receive government funds. The National Historical Preservation Act requires such projects to undertake archaeological surveys to identify potentially important sites, which is where contract archaeologists enter the picture.
They do the survey -- a process that can take from a few days to a few weeks – and then make a recommendation as to whether or not the site deserves further exploration, or should be placed on National Register of Historic Places, said Dr. Linda Stine, director of the contract archaeology program. The new service is geared to move quickly, independent of the academic calendar, she added. The program will also aggressively seek grants to help the community do archaeology, Stine said.
Persons interested in the service should contact Dr. Jeffrey Soles at (336) 334-5590, or (336) 334-5214.
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