Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is ArchaeoPLUS?

ArchaeoPLUS (Practical Learning Under Supervision) Inc. is a nonprofit organization that offers workshops, field schools, and other educational opportunities in archaeology, anthropology, and history. We focus on providing the hands-on skills necessary to work in Cultural Resource Management (CRM) and other related fields.

2. Who can participate in your programs?

Participants in our field schools must be 18 years or older and either currently enrolled in, or recently graduated from, a degree program in archaeology, anthropology, history, or a closely related field. Our workshops are open to anyone aged 18 or older, regardless of educational background or experience.

3. Where do your programs take place?

Currently, our programs are held primarily in Alabama, but we have plans to expand across the southeastern United States and possibly overseas.

4. How long do your programs last?

Our field schools last one month, typically in the summer. Workshops are shorter, lasting either 2 days (over a weekend) or 5 days (Monday-Friday), depending on the topic, and typicsally happen in the fall and spring.

5. What kinds of skills will I learn?

Our programs focus on teaching practical, hands-on skills that are useful for careers in archaeology and CRM. Workshops include technical training in photogrammetry or ground-penetrating radar (GPR) at the moment, and our field school (coming in June 2025!) will focus on excavation techniques, site recording, artifact analysis, and public engagement with a real emphasis on preparing participants for real-world CRM jobs.

6. What should I bring to a field school or workshop?

Each project and workshop has a page dedicated to the specifics in which you will find tools which you should bring, and tools which are provided to you. It is recommended that for all workshops you bring comfortable clothes, sturdy shoes, and something to write with and on.

7. Do I need previous experience in archaeology to attend?

Previous experience is not required for our workshops, though having some familiarity with archaeology or related subjects can be helpful. For field schools, participants should have some academic background in archaeology, anthropology, or history, as these programs build on foundational knowledge from these fields.

8. What is Cultural Resource Management (CRM)?

CRM refers to the practice of managing and preserving cultural heritage, often through archaeological investigations, as part of compliance with historic preservation laws. It represents a significant portion of professional archaeology work in the U.S. and involves everything from surveying potential construction sites to preserving historical artifacts and sites.

9. Do you offer online courses or programs?

At this time, all of our programs are conducted in person to ensure that participants gain the hands-on experience needed for fieldwork and technical skills. However, we are exploring options for future online offerings in Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

10. How do I apply for a field school or workshop?

To apply, simply visit the program page of the project you’d like to join, where you’ll find detailed instructions for each course, along with application forms, payment portals, and deadlines.

11. What are the costs for attending your programs?

Program costs vary depending on the length and scope of the course. Please check the specific field school or workshop page for pricing details. We strive to keep our programs as affordable as possible, and are proud to say that our June 2025 field school will be one of the least expensive in the world!

12. What partnerships do you have?

We proudly collaborate with Tennessee Valley Archaeological Research, the Alabama Archaeological Society, and are building future partnerships with the University of Alabama in Huntsville and Moundville Archaeological Park, among others. If you are a representative of an institution, organization, company, etc. seeking to partner with us for workshops, field schools, or something else you have in mind, please contact us!