Forensic Anthropology Summer Lab

Forensic Anthropology is not offered as a practical course. This 40-hour lab prepares the students to participate in active site recovery, collection, and documentation in the exhumation of human remains. This is a specialized hands-on class.

Students will experience exposure to bone recognition and differentiate between human and other animal remains. The 40-hour block of instruction includes instructional segments in bone recognition, surveying, excavation, documentation of grave sites and bone scatter fields, and collection of physical evidence. Students will use photography, sketching/mapping, and written narrative to express these collections. Bone scatter field practicals and excavations of gravesites will be conducted within typical environmental exposures.

The student will receive a certificate of completion and can list this class on their resume.

Students will stay in their current dorm room assignment and eat in the Commons. Students from other colleges and universities will be assigned a dorm room.

What to bring:

• Camera- optional
• water bottle
• snacks

What to wear:

• Old clothes you can get muddy
• Old tennis shoes or hiking boots      (no sandals or flip flops)
• Raincoat
• Sunscreen / bug spray
• Hat

Frequently asked questions

Who do I contact for questions?

Professor Bruce Willis bwillis@piedmont.edu or Coordinator Katrina Willis aboutfacts.kwillis@gmail.com

What do I wear?

You will be working outside, exposed to the weather, digging, sifting, crawling, and moving dirt. Wear older clothes, you can get dirt, closed-toed shoes, and a hat. Also, consider sunscreen and bug spray.

Where will I stay?

In the existing dorm assignment. If you are not a current Piedmont University student, be prepared to commute or be assigned to a dorm.

What about food?

Three meals a day will be provided Monday- Thursday of the camp and two meals on Friday in the Commons.