Hamline University’s sesquicentennial anniversary provides a unique opportunity for an on-campus archaeological research project highlighting Hamline’s history as an early Minnesota institution of higher education. An archaeological excavation focused on the site of the old science building, known originally as the Hall of Science, is planned for the 2004 fall semester.

This excavation will also be the centerpiece of two Anthropology courses: an archaeological/ interdisciplinary field methods course, and a FYSEM. In addition to involving current students and Hancock Elementary students, the public will also be invited to participate in the excavations. (LINK TO COURSES) This excavation will allow participants to literally - see the history under their feet!

The project will also help us understand how the campus and science education have evolved during the decades of the Hall of Science’s existence. Finally, the project will provide our students with an extraordinary opportunity for collaborative research – including collaboration across the disciplines on campus, collaboration between first year students and upper classers, and collaboration with Hamline’s faculty and staff.