Welcome to the website for ARCN246: Archaeological Methods, a course at Carleton College taught by Prof. Alex Knodell and Prof. Sarah Kennedy. This course is an introduction to the practice and process of archaeology. Students learn the foundational methods of archaeological research design and fieldwork, including techniques of survey, mapping, documentation, excavation, artifact identification and analysis, and archaeological interpretation. The goal of the course also extends beyond survey tracts and excavation trenches. Students engage with issues of presentation and representation, interact with professional and non-professional audiences, become familiar with political and ethical challenges, and integrate data from other sources into their research (documents, oral histories, museum collections).

In 2015 fieldwork for this course was undertaken at the site of the Carleton Women’s League Cabin. In the spring term of 2017, the focus of this course was the site of Pine Hill Village, a post-WWII veterans’ settlement constructed on Carleton’s campus (behind the present-day Goodhue Hall). In 2019, we turned to the site of the Waterford Mill. In 2021, we investigated Millpond Dike and Quarry. In the spring and fall terms of 2022, we focused our research at the historic farm site of Olin Farm. In 2023, we studied the Seccombe House aka the Old Music Hall. 

The collection of webpages for each course contains weekly summaries of archaeological research and fieldwork activities and also serves to publish the final projects undertaken by students in the course.