The Community Archaeology Program (CAP) is a week-long summer program sponsored by the Public Archaeology Facility (PAF) at Binghamton University. PAF is a research center on campus and one of its specialties is providing programs about archaeology for the general public. CAP is one of those programs. CAP is taught by professional archaeologists and graduate students from Binghamton University. The week-long summer program provides non-archaeologists with supervised experience on one of PAF's archaeological excavations. Lectures and lab time supplement the field experience.
Concurrently each summer, CAP offers sessions for kids (entering Grades 5 and 6), teens (students entering Grades 7-10), and adults (ages 16 and above). Daily sessions include lessons about precontact and historic archaeology, instruction on archaeological techniques, practice excavations, hands-on activities with artifacts, and participation in real site excavations. Our goal is to provide an enjoyable and educational experience for all who participate by sharing the thrill of discovery and our collective responsibilities for preserving the past.
In addition to our summer program, PAF offers a broad array of community outreach programs specifically designed for the public. These include talks to community organizations as well as hosting local school groups at our campus lab facilities, and providing speakers at school STEAMfeasts and Career Days. PAF also serves as a community resource. Staff responds to numerous calls from the public asking for assistance in the identification of artifacts found on their properties and elsewhere.
