Field Opportunities
Want to get in the dirt and try your hand at archaeology? Volunteer opportunities and field schools are an excellent way to experience archaeology in action and find out if it's the career path for you! Most field schools take place in the summer and are administered by universities as part of a degree requirement; students from other schools can often participate for credit hours. Some field schools and organizations also offer opportunities for the non-student public to participate. Below is a list of public projects and field schools taking place in North Carolina. Please contact the university for information about volunteering, visiting or joining a field school.
Public Archaeology
The Berry Site is an active archaeological site dating back to the 16th Century. Archaeologists have identified the site as the location of the Native American town of Joara, which was visited by the Spanish explorers Hernan de Soto (1540) and Juan Pardo (1567). In 2013, archaeologists confirmed that this site is also the site of the Spanish Fort San Juan, established by Juan Pardo in 1567.
Check their calendar for monthly Dig Days and Public Lab Nights! Registration is required.
Public Archaeology Corps is a non-profit organization consisting of professional archaeologists, historians, and private citizens united in their concern over the rapid loss of archaeological sites. Every other Saturday they are open to visitors of all ages to experience a current archaeology active site. Visitors will experience the satisfaction of saving archaeological resources, enabling archaeological education, and helping to tell the lost stories of our community.
Register for field or lab work on their website!
North Carolina Archaeological Society
The North Carolina Archaeological Society (NCAS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and study of North Carolina's diverse archaeological heritage which reflects its population, past and present.
Keep up with any planned events on their calendar or follow their Facebook group!
2025 Field Schools
Please check back in late 2024 for updates to summer 2025 field schools.
If your field school is not listed and takes place in North Carolina, let us know! Email archaeology@dncr.nc.gov with the date, location, contact, and website and we'll add it.
Many universities in North Carolina also conduct international field projects. Please visit individual university pages to learn more.
This page was last modified on 10/17/2024