Archeological Society of Virginia, Council of Virginia Archaeologists, and The Virginia Department of Historic Resources Archeological Technician Certification Program

Introduction

The ASV, in conjunction with the Council of Virginia Archaeologists (COVA) and the Department of Historic Resources (DHR) has a certification program for the training of archaeological technicians. It is necessary to pre-register for a training program and to have a set number of hours in each of the modules of study. The information posted here is for reference use only and does not constitute participation in the program. Contact Bruce Baker for details on enrollment and requirements.

Program Management and Administration
Area A: Laboratory Techniques
Area B: Field Study
Area C: Excavation
Required Reading List
Forms and other paperwork

Program Management and Administration

Certification Review Panel: The 7-member Certification Review Panel will consist of two (2) members each from the sponsoring agencies-the Archeological Society of Virginia (ASV), the Council of Virginia Archeologists (COVA), and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (VDHR) plus the program coordinator. The review panel will have the following responsibilities:

Oversight of program including any recommended changes or additions to the program.
Development and administration of regional lectures and workshops, including the two annual weekend workshops scheduled in the fall and spring.
Review of student records and approval of certification.
Review of applications for "grandfather" status. (Only experience under the supervision of a professional archeologist during the past five (5) years will be considered under the "grandfather" clause.) Each application will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

Program Coordinator: The program coordinator will be a voluntary position held by any approved member of the sponsoring organizations. The responsibilities of the program coordinator will include:

Organizing regional lectures and workshops, including distribution of schedules and field and laboratory opportunities to students.
As program contact person, will answer inquiries, distribute program information, collect fees, and maintain student files.

Certified Technician ProgramArea A: Laboratory Techniques

Goals and Objectives

Goals:
To train candidates in basic laboratory procedures including washing, sorting, labeling, and bagging artifacts, and in basic artifact recognition and analysis. This training is designed to enable candidates to do basic laboratory processing competently under supervision, within the framework of a professional program. Certification projects must (1) be consistent with research objectives of the appropriate institutions, agencies, and the VDHR; (2) use appropriate procedures; and (3) produce results consistent with professional standards as advocated by COVA.

Objectives:
1. Required Readings. See attached list. Additional readings assigned as needed.
2. Lectures and Classroom Work:
  Core Courses (to be taken only once during training):
  1. Certification Program Overview/General Orientation
  2. Virginia Archeology-Prehistoric and Historic Overviews
  3. Archeological Ethics and Laws
  Area Courses:
  1. Basic Laboratory Procedures
  2. Lithics Analysis
  3. Native American Pottery Analysis
  4. Historic Ceramics Analysis
  5. Glass Analysis
  6. Metals Analysis
  7. Faunal Analysis
3. Practical Experience: At least 60 hours of supervised laboratory experience involving at least 30 hours each in historic and Native American artifact processing. Laboratory experience must include at least two different archeological projects.
4. Test: A two-part test will be administered to candidates after completion of the classroom work and practical laboratory experience. A written test will be given covering the required readings as well as the course work. In addition, a practical test will be administered in the laboratory to evaluate the candidate's knowledge of basic laboratory procedures and artifact recognition. Minimal passing grade is 70% on each test.
5. Log Book and Journal: Participants must maintain a detailed personal record of laboratory, projects, experience and hours logged.
Certified Technician ProgramArea B: Field Survey
Goals and Objectives
1. Goals:
  To train candidates in the use of basic field survey procedures, including proficiency in the use of a compass and field maps, and in the field recognition of Native American and Historic artifacts and sites. The participant will gain a workable knowledge of survey terms and practical experience in completing standard site survey forms to document an archeological site. This training is designed to enable candidates to perform competently as a crew member of professionally supervised projects. Certification projects must (1) be consistent with research objectives of the appropriate institutions, agencies, and the VDHR; (2) use appropriate procedures; and (3) produce results consistent with professional standards as advocated by COVA.
2. Objectives
  1. Required Readings: See attached list. Additional reading assigned as needed.
  2. Lectures and Classroom Work:
    a. Introduction to Archeological Resource Survey Skills
    b. Topographic Mapping
    c. Standard Site Form Preparation.
    d. Understanding the Use of a Transit and Grid during Field Surveys
  3. Practical Experience: At least 60 hours of supervised field survey, including experience in transect interval sampling. Completion of at least 2 standard site survey forms, including detailed maps, 1 of which must record a historic and 1 a prehistoric site.
  4. Test: Successful completion of a written test on the required readings and course material. Minimal passing grade is 70% on each test. The ability to perform competently all basic aspects of Phase I survey as a crew member must be demonstrated. In addition, a candidate must locate a previously unrecorded archeological site and record the site by satisfactory completion of all parts of one VDHR state site form.
  5. Log Book and Journal: Participants must maintain a detailed personal record of field activities and hours logged.
Certified Technician Program Area C: Excavation

Goals and Objectives
1. Goals:
  To train candidates in the use of basic field equipment and techniques of excavation, including laying out excavation units, stratigraphic excavation, identification and collection of artifacts by unit and level, mapping techniques, feature identification and completion of level and feature forms, and "in the field" recognition of Native American and historic artifacts and features. This training is designed to enable candidates to serve competently as crew members of professionally supervised projects. Certification projects must (1) be consistent with research objectives of the appropriate institutions, agencies, and the VDHR; (2) use appropriate procedures; and (3) produce results consistent with professional standards as advocated by COVA.
2. Objectives:
  1. Required Readings: See attached list. Additional readings assigned as needed.
  2. Lectures and Classroom Work:
    a. Introduction to Site Organization
    b. Excavation Techniques
    c. Stratigraphy and Soils
    d. Feature Recognition and Excavation
    e. Use of a Grid and Transit during Site Excavation
  3. Practical Experience: At least 60 hours of concentrated and controlled experience as a crew member on a professionally run excavation, including at least 30 hours each of excavation on historic and prehistoric sites. A minimum of 24 hours must be completed at an approved field school.
  4. Test: Successful completion of a written test on the required readings and course material. Minimal passing grade is 70% on each test. In addition, a practical examination will be administered in the field to evaluate basic knowledge of excavation techniques. A candidate must successfully excavate and record one level of a unit.
  5. Log Book and Journal: Participants must maintain a detailed personal record of experience and hours logged.
Certified Technician ProgramRequired Reading List

Core Courses:

Required:
Carnett, Carol.
1991 "Legal Background of Archeological Resources Protection," Technical Brief No. 11, U.S. Department of the Interior. National Park Service, Washington.
Deetz, James.
1997 In Small Things Forgotten. Archer, Garden City, New York.
Egloff, Keith and Deborah Woodward
1992 First People: The Early Indians of Virginia. The Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Richmond.
Hicks, Robert
1996 Virginia Statutes. Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, Richmond.
U.S. Department of the Interior/National Park Service
1989 Federal Historic Preservation Laws. Washington.
Area A: Laboratory
Required
Noel Hume, Ivor
1969 A Guide to Artifacts of Colonial America.Alfred A. Knopf, New York.
Recommended:(Choose any 2 of the following laboratory manuals to read.)
Fairfax County Archeology
1991- rev. Artifact Inventory System.Environmental and Heritage Resources Branch, Falls Church.
Magid, Barbara H. (Editor)
1984 -rev. Alexandria Archaeology Artifact Code Books. Archaeology Publication No. 11. Alexandria.
Patton, M. Drake (Editor)
1992 Poplar Forest Archaeology Lab and Field Manual. Forest, Virginia.
Area B: Field Survey
Required:
Hranicky, William Jack
1993 Using United States Geological Survey (U.S.G.S.) Topographical Maps.Special Publication Number 20.Archaeological Society of Virginia.
Virginia Department of Historic Resources
1993 How to Complete Virginia Department of Historic Resources Archaeological Site Forms.Richmond.
Recommended
Chartkoff, Joseph L.
1978 "Transect Interval Sampling in Forests." American Antiquity 43: 46-53.
Dancy, William S.
1981 Archaeological Field Methods: An Introduction.