While an archaeological dig will never be as thrill-bound as those seen in the movies, they provide an excellent outlet and are a natural choice for vacationing enthusiasts. The work is sometimes difficult, even grueling, but the end results are always well worth the effort and the wait. If you or a loved one love archaeology, an archaeological dig vacation might just be the perfect retreat!
The following four retreats are located in North and South America. All provide opportunities for the aspiring archaeologist to explore and enjoy the thrill of the hunt for life’s mysteries.
Crow Canyon Archaeological Center
The Crow Canyon Archaeological Center is located or Cortez, Colorado. This area of the San Juan Mountains was a major cultural spearhead from approximately 850 until 1250. Visitors to Crow Canyon are allowed to dig at Goodman Point Pueblo, once a village. After getting instructions, each visitor is allowed to pick at a designated spot.
picture sources: flickr
The spot was once the site of an official project, which ended in late 2007. Visitors may opt out of the actual dig, instead purchasing a program, which would allow them to watch and help researchers analyzing artifacts that were recently pulled from the ground!
The Presidio
Located in San Francisco, California, within clear sight of the Golden Gate Bridge lies the Presidio. The land was operated as a US military base for almost 150 years, but previous to that it was the home of a Spanish fort. The site is open year round to those who wish to participate in the Levantar program, designed to allow volunteers work side by side with archaeologists.
picture sources: Presidio
The program is excellent for children and schools are quick to bring children to Presidio during the year to help excavate and analyze artifacts. Their annual festival, Pasados del Presidio, allows volunteers of all ages, including adults, to visit the site and learn how to study, extract, and preserve historical artifacts.
Two Medicine Dinosaur Center
Technically, the work done at the Two Medicine Dinosaur Center, located in Bynum, Montana, is not really archaeology. Here, paleontologists are searching for the remains of dinosaurs instead of humans. Visitors are given the opportunity to dig side by side with researchers and have been credited with finding approximately 90% of the fossils on the site.
picture sources: tmdinosaur, Missouri River.
Cotocotuyoc
For those willing to travel out of the country, Cotocotuyoc in Cozco, Peru is the perfect destination. This particular area is known to have belonged to the Wari Empire, an existence that predates even the Incas by a few hundred years. Archaeologists dig at Cotocotuyoc throughout the year, but visitors are welcome to contact a group called Earthwatch Institute in order to arrange for a summer trip to the site. The trips run in 13 or 14-day increments, allowing visitors the opportunity to work alongside locals and researchers. Guests to Cotocotuyoc do not get to do much digging, as there are safety concerns due to the high elevation that most outsiders are not able to adjust to very quickly. Visitors will get to help trowel soil, record which artifacts have been excavated, and participate in lab work.
picture source: terradaily
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