The Dhiban Excavation and Development Project: Paleolandscape Assessment
A Collaborative Research project (Faculty Research) awarded to:
- Katherine Adelsberger, environmental studies, Knox College
- Danielle Steen Fatkin, history, Knox College
This award provides funding for the first season of an interdisciplinary project in Jordan to develop a paleolandscape assessment of Dhiban as part of the Dhiban Excavation and Development Project (DEDP), an established archaeological project in the area.
The interdisciplinary FaCE-related portion of this project will involve regional survey for paleoclimate proxies and water resources, detailed site-specific survey for previously undiscovered cisterns and occupational periods, and the training of undergraduate students.
The excavations are part of a broader project to develop “best practices” in archaeological scholarship through the integration of outreach, excavation and geoarchaeology, and the currently proposed project would be the first step in the longer-term involvement of Knox College (and other ACM faculty and students) in the Dhiban Project.
Summer 2010 Field Season for Students
As part of the work of the DEDP, the project leaders will bring about 20 archaeology students from different institutions to participate in the project. The leaders train the students in archaeological field methods by rotating them through various learning stations, including excavation, materials processing, flotation, topographic survey and geologic survey. They are taught to dig, record, and analyze archaeological and geological materials. In addition, there are evening seminars on methods, theory, and history twice a week and two weekend field trips to major Jordanian archaeological sites during the season.
- Field Season Dates: June 23 - August 8, 2010
- Estimated Cost: $5,000 ($3,000 program fee + $2,000 airfare)
- Application Deadline: December 15, 2009 (application must be received by this date)
More information
For more information about the Dhiban Project in summer 2009 and the Summer 2010 Dhiban Field Season for Students, go to the Dhiban Project webpage.