An Archaeology Field School for Today’s Students

Under white pop-up canopies in a dry summer field dotted with Queen Anne’s lace and fewleaf thistle, students crouched close to the ground with brushes, spades, and sieves in hand. From a Bluetooth speaker, the 1971 song “A Horse with No Name” drifted across the site, part of the group’s collaborative excavation playlist. 

“It’s digging, but careful digging,” one student explained, marking the coordinates of her assigned quadrant before sifting away dirt ten centimeters at a time. 

The students were historical detectives at the Charles and Melinda Applegate House, participating in an archaeology field school run by the University of Oregon’s Museum of Natural and Cultural History (MNCH). By analyzing clues such as glass thickness and nail shapes, they could date buried artifacts and piece together the story of a cabin and blacksmith shop that once stood on the property. 

Emerald Marx, BA ’25, center right, listens as archaeologist Chris Ruiz lays out the plan for the day for students at the UO’s 2025 Applegate House Field School with the Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural History.

Expanding Access with a Commuter Model 

MNCH has offered archaeology field schools since 1937, providing students with hands-on experience at some of North America’s earliest cultural sites. The Applegate House Field School builds on that tradition while making participation more accessible. 

Unlike many field schools that require weeks of camping in remote areas, the Applegate House site near Yoncalla—about forty miles south of Eugene—allows students to commute daily from the UO. This model makes participation more affordable and flexible for students who are balancing other responsibilities.  

Last summer’s crew included current students, recent graduates, and even a local fourth-grade teacher spending her summer gaining experience to share with her students, who look up to Ducks as they imagine their own futures. 

Students Step into the Field 

When anthropology majors Emerald Marx, BA ’25, and Addie Kosterman, BS ’25, arrived at the Applegate House, they weren’t just stepping onto a historic Oregon homestead, they were stepping into their future careers as archaeologists. The program fulfills training hours required for archaeology licensing. 

Left: Marx inspects small pieces from the dig that may be of importance // Right: Kosterman screens material.

For Emerald, accessibility was key, but so was a personal connection to the land.  

“I had heard my family talking about our history of being related to the Applegates ever since we moved to Oregon,” he explained. “So, I thought it would be really cool to come here and experience a little bit of the cultural history of this space as a descendant. It feels like a full-circle moment, like I’m returning to a very important piece of family history.” 

The Applegate House, built in the 1850s and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is more than a European-American settlement site. It also has a precontact Yoncalla winter village component, offering students the chance to work across layers of cultural history. Emerald found that interplay especially meaningful. 

“The family maintains a close connection with descendants of the tribes who lived and continue to live here,” he said. 

That dual perspective shapes the curriculum. Over four weeks, students practice excavation, site mapping, artifact identification, and cultural resource management while learning to connect oral history with archaeological research. 

For Addie, the experience confirmed her passion for the field.  “I knew I wanted to do a field school because it’s necessary for any archaeology job after graduation,” she said. “This one sounded like the best fit for me. Everyone’s lives are busy, and this was a happy medium between learning everything I wanted to learn while also being able to participate in my daily life back at home.” 

She added that the excitement of unearthing artifacts never wore off.  

“It’s a split second where you’re combing through the dirt and you spot something—you just know it’s different from everything else,” she said. “Even washing it off and imagining how old it is, it’s such a good feeling. Every day brought something new.” 

Scholarships Drive Career Preparation 

Both Emerald and Addie credit scholarship support with making their participation possible. Each received the donor-funded C. Melvin Aikens Scholarship, named for the late UO archaeologist whose career helped shape the museum’s research legacy. In 2025, Ducks Give donors contributed nearly $18,000 to grow the scholarship’s endowment.

“Being a recipient of this scholarship determined my ability to participate,” Addie said. “Without it, I probably wouldn’t have gone to a field school at all. It lessened the financial stress and made it possible for me to focus on the learning.” 

Emerald agreed.  

“For most archaeology careers starting out, you need a field school,” he said. “Having financial support is critical because otherwise I would have struggled to get started. History is worth investing in—the more we understand the past, the more informed we are about the future.” 

An Enduring Connection to Oregon 

Beyond the skills they gained, both students said the program deepened their connection to the UO and to Oregon itself. 

“I found something I’m super passionate about here,” said Addie. “Coming into school, I wasn’t sure about continuing an academic career. Leaving it, I’m actually thinking about pursuing a master’s degree.” 

Emerald, too, sees a future rooted in the region.  

“I really love Oregon—the culture, the people, the landscape,” he said. “I hope I can continue doing archaeological work here, maybe even back at Applegate someday.” 

The Applegate House Field School shows how innovative program design and donor generosity can open doors for students, connecting them to history while preparing them for meaningful careers. For Emerald and Addie, it was a true launching pad. 

Your support ensures students like Emerald and Addie can pursue their passions in archaeology. Learn more about including the UO in your estate plan or donate to the field school scholarship fund today.  

Finds at the UO’s 2025 Applegate House Field School with the Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural History are inspected, recorded and bagged for future research.