NMC to host nautical archaeology field school in July

TRAVERSE CITY — Underwater archaeology enthusiasts will have a unique opportunity to train with instructors and students from around the world July 12-26, when NMC hosts the Nautical Archaeology Society's 2015 International Field School.

Nautical archaeology is the specialized study of maritime technology (e.g., ships, boats and other craft). Based at NMC's Great Lakes Campus on West Grand Traverse Bay, the NAS Field School will consist of taught courses and the supervised archaeological survey of a historic shipwreck in Northport, Grand Traverse Bay and an early Archaic site on the shore of an inland lake.

This is the fifth consecutive year NMC has been selected to host the field school. Based in the United Kingdom, the Nautical Archaeology Society is a non-government organization formed to further interest in underwater cultural heritage. The field school is open to anyone interested and no previous experience is necessary. Although scuba experience is not required, certified divers may dive as part of their field research.

The program is structured as follows:

Week One: Introduction to foreshore and underwater archaeology and the supervised survey of either a dry-land or underwater archaeological site

Week Two: A series of day-long specialty courses covering topics such as: archaeological surveying, artifact typology, ship and boat construction, flint knapping, Native American settlement in northwest Michigan, documentary research, underwater archaeological surveying and archaeological illustration.

For more details, visit www.nasnmc.com. A variety of tuition packages are available, and on-campus housing is available.

Release date: March 2, 2015

For more information:

Mark W. Holley, Ph.D
(989) 307-9651
mholley@nmc.edu