Archaeology Research Program


See our 2023 program sessions below.

Crow Canyon was founded on the idea that members of the public could play an important role in archaeology. Each year, we welcome people of all ages to our campus near Mesa Verde in Southwest Colorado. Participants serve as citizen scientists in support of our mission to pursue archaeological research and experiential education in collaboration with Native Americans.

Crow Canyon’s experiential education programs not only provide instruction in archaeological techniques but also involve citizen scientists in the actual research process. This firsthand approach increases awareness of, and appreciation for, our rich cultural heritage, while providing broad-based support for archaeological research, preservation, and cultural continuity.

ARCHAEOLOGY RESEARCH PROGRAM

As a “citizen scientist,” you’ll conduct research and in-field artifact analyses alongside Crow Canyon archaeologists in an effort to help us build new, relevant understandings of the past. For lifelong learners age 18 and up.

Highlights


  • Study the effects of human impacts on the natural environment through time, and how humans have responded to environmental change.
  • Learn about the technological innovations and sustainability of cultures past and present.
  • Dive into the variables that shape the development of human societies and gain an appreciation for cultural diversity and social frameworks.
  • See how human history unfolded across the landscape of the Mesa Verde region.
  • Gain transferable skills in cultural and scientific literacy.

Join an archaeological survey at Hawkins Preserve, a 122-acre natural area located just south of Cortez, Colorado. The Preserve includes numerous...
read more

Starting at: $1025.00

Join an archaeological survey at Hawkins Preserve, a 122-acre natural area located just south of Cortez, Colorado. The Preserve includes numerous...
read more

Starting at: $1025.00

Contact Us

Program availability is limited due to COVID-19. Please contact us for updates, or join us every Thursday at 4:00 p.m. for the Discover Archaeology webinar series. Check the homepage for upcoming events.


For more information, please contact our engagement coordinator:
800.422.8975, ext. 451
M–F, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Mountain Time)
programs@crowcanyon.org

  • "I think the most amazing thing for me was how something could be so personally enriching but also still feel like we contributed in some small way."

    Elizabeth H. Flagstaff, AZ

Our Research Themes

Our projects address a wide variety of interrelated issues relevant not only to archaeologists but to educators, policy makers, advocacy groups, and Indigenous peoples.

Humans and the Environment


We study how humans responded to environmental change in the past and the implications for environmental policy.

Multivocal Histories


We promote respect for different cultures and preserve traditional knowledge, past and present.

Cultural and Scientific Literacy


As a social science with deep roots in STEM, archaeology helps students become critical thinkers and lifelong learners.