Big Timber Archaeological Field School, Summer 2008

Posted by request of Ellen Baumler at the Montana Historical Society:

Dear Colleagues,

Chris Merritt, a Ph.D. student in anthropology at U of M, is recruiting for a field school for credit at Big Timber, May 25-June 14. Chris is a very capable, energetic young man who is an experienced archaeologist. I can personally vouch for his credentials as I am serving on his dissertation committee. My daughter took his field school, under the directorship of Dr. Kelly Dixon, last year and it was a tremendous learning experience. Chris is doing some very exciting, groundbreaking work on the Chinese in Montana . The site in Big Timber promises to be very interesting and rich in artifacts.

Please pass the attached flyer along to anyone interested in Montana history or archaeology. It is a great opportunity.

Thanks for your time!

Ellen Baumler, Ph.D.
Montana Historical Society
406-444-1687

ARCHAEOLOGICAL
FIELD SCHOOL
In partnership with local private property owners, the University of
Montana is holding a field school to excavate the remnants of Big
Timber’s largely forgotten Chinese district. Chinese came to Big
Timber while working on the Northern Pacific Railroad in the
1880s. After completion of the railroad dozens of Chinese immi-
grants called Big Timber home, and started a variety of businesses
to service the townspeople of the town and travelers of the rail-
road, including four restaurants and numerous laundries. Today,
all that remains of the Big Timber Chinese community are stories,
and the buried archaeological deposits of a laundry/restaurant
located on private property. Field school participants will be re-
quired to camp in primitive conditions for three, five-day weeks.
Students enrolled in this course will learn surveying and excava-
tion techniques.
Dates: May 25-June 14, 2008; 4 credits
Requirements
♦ No Previous Experience Necessary!
♦ Personal Camping Gear
♦ All Food and Travel Provided during work
Phone: 406-243-2450
Fax: 406.243.4918
E-mail: christopher.merritt@umontana.edu
Interested?
BIG TIMBER CHINATOWN
Please Submit a Curriculum Vitae (or Resume), and an
unofficial copy of your university transcripts to:

Christopher Merritt, Ph.D. Student
University of Montana
Department of Anthropology
Missoula, MT 59812

Total Cost ($765 Lab Fee included):
*Undergraduate: Resident: $1645.60 Non-Resident: $3646.40
*Graduate: Resident: $1690.00 Non-Resident: $3764.60