This is the place to find out the latest developments in the AVP. Find out what new archaeological discoveries have been made, and find out how to volunteer for an archaeological investigation.

Friday, October 7, 2016

Fall Newsletter

Volume 7 Issue 2 of the AVP Project News will be sent out electronically next Wednesday, and the hard copy versions will be mailed shortly thereafter. Brief profiles of the students and internationals from this past season are featured, as well as a story on gradiometer surveying. Remember to check your spam box, since the newsletter is sent en masse. If you are new to the AVP, and would like to receive the newsletter, email avp.archaeology@gmail.com and ask to be put on the newsletter list.

Thursday, August 25, 2016

Congrats to the Class of 2016

This year's SUNY JCC / AVP Field School students did a wonderful job of learning the ins and outs of archaeological fieldwork. Congratulations to Bronson, Rich, Al, Dustin, Jessica and Chelsea on a successful season. Izzy was there to cheer them on...


Sunday, August 7, 2016

Technology Week

This week our students were introduced to a few hi-tech gadgets that can be useful in archaeological contexts.
Shannon and Dan explain the archaeological and forensic uses of a laser scanner, and demonstrate its operation.

Students Chelsea and Rich run lines with a gradiometer. It is a machine that can give us an image of what lies beneath the plow zone, before we begin to dig,

Monday, July 25, 2016

What's It Like to Volunteer?

Our annual Community Archaeology Day is coming up on July 30 (Saturday, 10-5), and everyone is welcome to come on out and tour the site, and participate in fun activities for the entire family. We would also like to remind you that you are always welcome to visit or volunteer every day we're at the site. What's it like to volunteer? Here are some students and volunteers in action:

Bronson performs some needed screen maintenance. 



Colin and Noah use trowels to excavate a test unit.



Jessica and Manon use shovels to remove the plow zone from a test unit, while Rich tends to paperwork.



Anais, Andyfan and Cynthia take a break from excavating to pose for the camera.



Zoey, Bronson and Crissy screen dirt excavated from a test unit.



Anais shovels dirt into a bucket for plow zone screening.


Dustin and Jay use trowels to excavate their test unit.



Celia straightens up the walls of her test unit, which is located next to a woodchuck den.



The crew takes a break from excavating to help the Canticle farmers rid the potato plants of potato bugs and their larvae.


Colin and Rich work on their 1m X 1m test unit.


It can be hard work, hot and muggy, or cold and wet. That's just a part of being an archaeologist!

Saturday, July 23, 2016

AVP at Letchworth State Park

Our Sunday excursion on July 17 was to Letchworth State Park, where we enjoyed the beautiful scenery.
Colin, Zoey, Andyfan, Anais and Manon at a scenic overlook.


Manon, Jessica, Crissy, Rich, Colin, Anais, Andyfan, Zoey and Chelsea at the stone bridge.


The gang at Upper Falls, with the soon-to-be demolished railroad bridge in the background.




The gang milling about at an overlook.

Sunday, July 17, 2016

Our Fifth Annual Overlook Photo


As in years past, a wonderful group of students and volunteers!

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

VFP/AVP International Volunteers

Our international volunteers are settling in quite nicely.
Andyfan is screening at a 1m x 1m test unit. She is from Beijng, China.


Manon, from Lyon, France, uses a trowel to level out the base of a test unit.


Zoey takes a break from straightening the walls of a test unit. She is also from Beijing.


Anais removes dirt from the bottom of a test unit. She is another volunteer from Lyon.

Colin pours dirt into a screening bucket. He hails from Montpellier, France.

Friday, July 8, 2016

Season 2016 is Underway!

We've had a bit of a rainy start, but we've managed to set the grid and start a few test units in our first few days.
JCC/AVP Field School students Al, Dustin and Jessica set up a test unit.

JCC/AVP Field School student Bronson works on a wall within his unit.

JCC/AVP Field School student Chelsea screens with volunteer Crissy.

And one of our neighbors is keeping a sharp eye on us....

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

2016 Field Season Calendar

   
This year's field season will be the best yet! The schedule below lets you know when you can volunteer, and when we have events planned. Visitors are welcome at the site whenever we are working, so come on out and say 'Hi!'

2016 Schedule
     July
      5 – field preparations
      6 – field school student orientation
      7-8 – 8am-5pm: field school; volunteer shifts
      9 – 8am-5pm: field school; volunteer shifts; VFP arrivals throughout day
      10 – site closed; VFP orientation
      11-15 – 8am-5pm: field school; volunteer shifts
      16 – Seneca Pow Wow
      17 – Letchworth Park trip
      18-19 – 8am-5pm: field school; volunteer shifts
      20 – 8am-12pm: field school; volunteer shifts; afternoon group photo trip
      21 – 8am-5pm: field school; volunteer shifts
      22– 8am-5pm: field school; volunteer shifts; evening VFP farewell dinner
      23 – 8am-5pm: field school; volunteer shifts; VFP departures throughout day
      24 – site closed; field trip
      25-29 – 8am-5pm: field school; volunteer shifts
      30 – Community Archaeology Day
      31 – site closed; field trip
            August
      1-6 – 8am-5pm: field school; volunteer shifts
      7 – site closed; field trip
      8-13 – 8am-5pm: field school; volunteer shifts
      14 – site closed; field trip
      15-16 – field school; volunteer shifts; site closing ceremonies

            Calendar note: rain days are held in the lab; dates/times subject to change

Sunday, May 8, 2016

Gearing Up for Season 2016

We are already making arrangements for our 2016 Season, and it's shaping up to be a great one! We have heard from several volunteers, new and familiar, from around the country, who plan on making the trek to Allegany. It looks like we may also have more local volunteers than ever. We will be welcoming six new international volunteers as well, through Volunteers for Peace (www.vfp.org), for our two week international program. Also, students from all over the country are signing up for the field school. Below is a gradiometer map of our focus area at the Bockmier One site, that takes a look at what lies beneath the plowed soil before we dig. It shows many of the features we have looked at, and some that we will be looking at this season. We can't wait to see you all!


Tuesday, April 26, 2016

JCC Increases Tuition for Field School

The AVP has learned that Jamestown Community College has recently increased tuition rates for the field school by 49%. This means that, with fees, JCC's 6 credits are $634.50 for in-state, and $1198.50 for out-of-state. We at the Allegheny Valley Project are extremely disappointed in JCC's decision to drastically increase tuition during the registration period, but we have no control over the internal affairs of that institution. I sincerely apologize to all of the prospective students who have made arrangements with the understanding that the tuition would be as previously advertised by JCC and by our organization. I hope that all of you will still be able to join us this season.

A breakdown of the new tuition rates:
          In-state: tuition $94 per credit hour X 6 = $564
                        fees $11.75 per credit hour X 6 = 70.50
                        total $634.50

          Out-of-state: tuition $188 per credit hour X 6 = 1128
                                fees 11.75 per credit hour X 6 = 70.50
                                total $1198.50

Monday, March 28, 2016

International Volunteer Program

The AVP welcomes international volunteers, and the easiest route is through Volunteers for Peace, a non-profit volunteer placement group. VFP volunteers must pay their travel expenses to and from Allegany, NY, but while here, food and lodging are covered by volunteer contributions and a VFP fee. We currently take up to 6 VFP volunteers for two weeks (9 July to 23 July). VFP partners with local volunteer organizations in each country, to make it easier to apply. For more information, you can visit www.vfp.org. Our project code is VFP05-16.


Monday, March 14, 2016

Pot 'O' new section reconstructed

Add another large section of Pot 'O' to the growing catalogue. We may end up with more than 50% of this particular pot. Join us next season as we investigate the mysterious ditch, continue to work on the longhouse, and excavate the north "neck" of the refuse pit in which most of Pot 'O' was found. July 6 to August 16.


Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Winter Newsletter

The winter newsletter is set to be distributed next week, so keep an eye on your inbox or mail box. If you are not signed up to receive the newsletter (free), email avp.archaeology@gmail.com to be added to the list.

Monday, January 4, 2016

Registration open for 2016 Field School

Mail-in Registration runs from January 4 until July 1 for the Summer 2016 JCC-AVP field school. The 6-credit course has a discounted tuition rate of $378 for in-state students, and $756 for out-of-state students, plus JCC fees of $70.50. Download the mail-in form from https://www.sunyjcc.edu/sites/default/files/registrationforms_summer2016.pdf . For more information on tuition, fees or the registration process, email Shannon Bessette at ShannonBessette@mail.sunyjcc.edu . For more information about the field school itself, food/lodging options, and the project in general, email Steve Howard at avp.archaeology@gmail.com .