Field School Survey, Day 5 - By Christina S.

Crew chiefs Kolin and Christina
talking strategy

During the summer of 2010, I was a student of the Cabrillo College Field School.  My experience at Henry Coe State Park involved far more than what I had imagined. Not only did I walk away with archaeological skills (i.e. survey techniques, mapping and excavating), but I developed an understanding that has increasingly affected how I approach archaeology as a social science and public action. Ultimately I realized that archaeology can and does affect contemporary people as it constructs history, memory and identity of both Native and non-Native peoples. That being said, the archaeological community has a huge responsibility to preserve and protect cultural resources. However, this goal should not be limited to the concerns of archaeologists alone.  While volunteering as a crew chief with the 2012 Cabrillo Field School at Big Sur this past week, it was apparent that coastal sites are in jeopardy of literally slipping away due to global warming, sea level changes and erosion.



Part of the beautiful California coastline





Students surveying an archaeological site along the California coast

Consequently, potential information is being lost. It is obvious how this affects archaeology and its pursuit in understanding the past. The question, or issue, for me is how to inform and involve other disciplines, professionals and the public at large in the process of preserving and protecting our cultural resources and heritage. Why, one might wonder? Because history is the foundation for the future. Past stories are meaningful and give purpose to our everyday interactions. In other words, archaeology is relevant to now. And especially "now" carries an urgency as we witness environmental change quickening at a pace for which we may not be/ are not prepared.  Here I am going to withdraw from going down a pessimistic blogging path and instead express how awesome it is to know that students and volunteers do participate in archaeology. The opportunities that the Cabrillo Field School and the Society for California Archaeology (SCA) offer are a public service as they work towards preserving cultural resources while educating people from various backgrounds. Thank you Dustin McKenzie, Mike Newland, Gary Breschini & Trudy Haverstat and Annamarie Guerrero for your time and efforts in the archaeology of California.