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Review: nautical Archaeological Society Underwater Archaeology Field School

3/16/2015

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* This is ArchaeoDirt's second review of the NAS Underwater Archaeology Field School. To see the first one, click here. This review was written by Nancy.

FIELD SCHOOL & WEBSITE: 
Nautical Archaeological Society International Field School at Northwestern           Michigan College
OTHER LINKS: Check out a video from the 2014 field school, or their Facebook page.
LOCATION: Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse City, Michigan
AFFILIATIONS: Nautical Archaeological Society, Northwestern Michigan College
CURRENT PROJECT: Participants will assist with an archaeological survey of the Northport wreck,    
          located in 4-8 meters of water in Lake Michigan. The survey will document the nature, extent, 
          history, and condition of the site. The project is appropriate for both novice divers and snorkelers.
STAFF: Staff includes instructors from Northwestern Michigan College, Grand Valley State University,
          Michigan Tech, the Nautilus Marine Group, and Nautical Archaeological Society tutors.
LENGTH & DATES:  July 12th - 26th, 2015. Week 1 (7/12 - 7/18) includes basic courses, and Week 2 
          (7/20 - 7/27) includes advanced courses.
COST: Accommodation in the Northwestern Michigan College dorms costs $50/night. The Week 1 basic
          course package is $1,299, and the Week 2 advanced course package is $1,399. Alternatively, you 
          can sign up for individual courses. Meals are not included.
CREDIT AVAILABLE: Both the NAS Part 1 and NAS Part 2 courses qualify for credit at Northwestern 
          Michigan College. Credits transfer to most major universities. 
APPLICATION PROCESS: The course booking form and payment can be submitted as described here.


Tell us about your field school experience.

I am fortunate to live in the Grand Traverse area and have been involved with the field school since 2010. Because of the field school's affiliation with the Nautical Archaeology Society in Great Britain, I have earned three certifications and am working on my Part IV diploma.  The instructors have all been top notch in their areas of expertise and have even extended assistance to me well after the field school experience.


What skills did you learn?

Skills I have learned are just too numerous to list all of them.  To list a few, I can write and implement a project plan, operate a total station used to survey piers, shipwrecks, and a lighthouse.  I have also learned the techniques of artifact illustration and the ship and boat construction course helps you to identify artifacts and remains of a shipwreck.  I have had the opportunity to build and operate an underwater ROV, use sector scan sonar and learn the ancient technology of flint napping.


What are the pros and cons of this field school?

The pros of this field school is that it has given me the opportunity to continue using my skills by working on various underwater and foreshore archaeological projects in my community.  I have worked on survey projects at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park, Skegemog Point and Grand Traverse Bay.  I cannot think of any cons.


Anything else you think readers should know about this field school?

The attendees have been a mix of college undergrads, professionals, teachers, local residents and those interested in maritime archaeology as a hobby.  My experiences have been that we all come together and work as a team, learning and having some fun at the same time.  



For those attending who do not have a vehicle, there are plenty of convenience stores, fast food and restaurant options within walking distance of NMC.  We also have a great bus transit system.  


I pursue nautical archaeology as a hobby with a purpose and continually go back each year to the field school to gain field work experience, practice my skills, assist other students and work towards my Part IV diploma.  
Picture
Surveying remains of a small shipwreck.
Picture
Trial run of an ROV.
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Review: Nautical Archaeological Society Underwater Archaeology Field School

3/11/2015

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* This review was written by Joe, a nautical archaeology student at Northwestern Michigan College. He has attended 4 different field schools and is finishing up his Nautical Archaeology Society Part 3 Certification. He is also interested in marine technology and ROV piloting. Thanks, Joe!

FIELD SCHOOL & WEBSITE: Nautical Archaeological Society International Field School at Northwestern           Michigan College
OTHER LINKS: Check out a video from the 2014 field school, or their Facebook page.
LOCATION: Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse City, Michigan
AFFILIATIONS: Nautical Archaeological Society, Northwestern Michigan College
CURRENT PROJECT: Participants will assist with an archaeological survey of the Northport wreck,    

          located in 4-8 meters of water in Lake Michigan. The survey will document the nature, extent, 
          history, and condition of the site. The project is appropriate for both novice divers and snorkelers.
STAFF: Staff includes instructors from Northwestern Michigan College, Grand Valley State University,
          Michigan Tech, the Nautilus Marine Group, and Nautical Archaeological Society tutors.
LENGTH & DATES:  July 12th - 26th, 2015. Week 1 (7/12 - 7/18) includes basic courses, and Week 2 
          (7/20 - 7/27) includes advanced courses.
COST: Accommodation in the Northwestern Michigan College dorms costs $50/night. The Week 1 basic

          course package is $1,299, and the Week 2 advanced course package is $1,399. Alternatively, you 
          can sign up for individual courses. Meals are not included.
CREDIT AVAILABLE: Both the NAS Part 1 and NAS Part 2 courses qualify for credit at Northwestern 

          Michigan College. Credits transfer to most major universities. 
APPLICATION PROCESS: The course booking form and payment can be submitted as described here.


Tell us about your field school experience.

My field school experience here at Northwestern Michigan College for the last 3 years has been excellent. In just a few short days they are able to teach you fully the basics of Nautical Archaeology and then you go out and put your training to the test on sites in the field. Plus you are working in one of the most beautiful locations in the Great Lakes region.


What skills did you learn?

During the field school you will learn from the ground up on basic surveying and site report procedures. You will also be using different equipment such as a total station and if you choose to survey an underwater site this year you will be able to use a side scan sonar to image the lake bed. More advanced training includes the use of ROV's and Sector Scan sonar.


How were accommodations?

Students live in the Northwestern Michigan College dormitory which is on the main campus, or they can choose to stay at hotels, the dorms are always cheaper though. The dorms have wifi internet and shared bathrooms. There is a recreational area on the first floor with a big screen TV and video game consoles. 


What are the pros and cons of the field school? Would you recommend it?

The pros of this field school are you will learn in depth surveying of sites both ashore and underwater techniques, you will be joined by students from all over the world and have the opportunity to network with them and the instructors, and of course you will be a Nautical Archaeological Society (NAS) certified archaeologist by the end of your training in the part 1 course, there is also the opportunity to complete a part 2 certification. Also you do not need to be a scuba diver to attend this field school, there is plenty of work to be done on shore or you can snorkel above sites.

The cons of this field school are if you have your heart set on excavations you wont be doing any here. By Michigan law you cannot excavate anything without a permit from the state which is an incredibly difficult process. You will be surveying sites only and making your reports from there.

I would wholeheartedly recommend this field school to anyone who is a first time field school student or is interested in learning more about Nautical Archaeology. The NAS part 1 certification is a great way to get your foot in the door to the Nautical Archaeology field and the instructors will guide you along the way including writing letters of recommendations to schools and potential jobs.


Anything else you think readers should know about this field school?

Something students should know is this field school is a combined effort between Northwestern Michigan College and the Nautical Archaeological Society in Great Britain. While attending the school students will have the opportunity to earn both part 1 and 2 certifications and take part 3 courses. Part 1 is the basics of Nautical Archaeology, part 2 is writing up and publishing a full report on any site you choose, and part 3 courses are the advanced courses.
Diving the pier at Glen Haven
Instructor Ian Cundy with ROV
Students practicing surveying
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    DISCLAIMER
    Each review is the product of one persons experience during one field season. With different staff & students and new research questions, a field school can change a lot from year to year. Use these reviews to guide your decision, but remember that none of them are by any means the final word on a field school.

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