Staring Monday the Medalta Museum is hosting a field school program where participants will work with a trained scientist to dig up a real excavation site located on the museums historic location. - NEWS PHOTO BRENDAN MILLER
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
Calling all aspiring archeologists, or anyone interested in participating in an official archaeological dig, this Monday the Medalta Museum is hosting a field school program where participants will work with a trained scientist to dig up a real excavation site and be a part of uncovering local history.
As of the time of publication, there are still spaces open for the unique program which is open to anyone 16 years and older interested in joining a real archaeological dig under the supervision of Dr. Talva Jacobson, who, in 2010 led a team that was able to excavate the historic kiln foundations that are now a showpiece of Medatla’s mains foyer.
“She (Dr. Jacobson) is extremely thorough and she knows all of the processes,” said April Mandzlak, Medalta marketing director. “It was a lengthy application process for her to provide all the information requested for the specific permits, set up everything she needs for this to be property done, that’s important to her and that’s extremely important to us, that we are doing this with care and caution.”
Participants of the three-week dig will be excavating a historic stable that was used to shelter draft horses that were employed at Medalta Potteries sometime between 1912 and 1954.
“It’s going to be filled with a lot of learning because it is a legitimate and permanent archeology
dig,” said Mandzlak. “They’re going to be learning real skills from a real doctor and everything they do is going to be skills that they could take away, that they could even brag about, that they’ve learned these skills.”
Typically members of the public are not allowed to participate in an official archeological dig and don’t have that opportunity to unearth history, and perhaps treasure.
“You’re becoming a part of history, now you’re the one who’s doing the digging, you’re going to now be in the records as someone who was a part of the experience,” said Mandzlak. “Its a rare opportunity for literally almost anyone to come and be a part of something that is typically kept a bit separate from us, it’s something that is a specialty, that you need to be an expert in, that you need to have experience and you need to have an education.”
Throughout the dig, participants will excavate the historic site with tools used by scientists and learn the entire process of excavating, site mapping, story building as documenting, cataloging and washing any artifacts that are discovered.
The program begins Monday and runs throughout the week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants will be on-site the entire time and are advised to dress for the weather.
The entire dig will run over a three-week period, however registration is open so participants can join for one, two or all three weeks at a discounted price for multiple weeks.
Participants are required to be over the age of 16 and multi-week participants will take on leadership roles and deepen their skill through expanded lab work and presentation opportunities.
The cost of the program is $350 per week and is offered at this rate due to what Mandzlak says was a generous donation from an anonymous resident.
“The fact that we get to actually open this up to the public and that anybody can access this kind of opportunity, especially with that donation making it more affordable that it traditionally would be, to me that just feels like exactly who and what we are, and I think it’s something that we’re really proud to be willing to offer in Medicine Hat,” said Mandzlak.
