International Volunteers

The AVP welcomes international volunteers 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. This year we will host up to 6 VFP volunteers for two weeks (15 July to 29 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 VFP-STV05-17.

Spring 2017 Newsletter

The Spring 2017 Newsletter has been sent out electronically (for most) and in the mail (for some). It is free both ways, so if you'd like to be sent a copy, contact Steve at avp.archaeology@gmail.com and ask to receive the newsletter. If you are already on the list and haven't received it, check your spam box, as some servers will block bulk e-mailings.

SUNY JCC/ AVP Summer 2017 Field School Information

The summer field school for 2017 will run from July 10 to August 17. Tuition (current as of this post) is $579 for NY residents with a certificate of residence, and $1158 for non-residents. Additional JCC fees of $73.50 apply to both. You can find the registration form and certificate of residence form here:
http://www.sunyjcc.edu/credit-course-schedules/pdf/JCCsummer2017registrationpages.pdf
Mail-in registration runs from now until July 5. Email Steve at avp.archaeology@gmail.com or Shannon at shannonbessette@mail.sunyjcc.edu for additional information.

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.

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...

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,

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!