Be part of the Jamestown Rediscovery Project’s ongoing mission to excavate, interpret, preserve, conserve, and research findings from the site of England’s first successful colony in North America by participating in Jamestown Rediscovery’s annual Archaeological Field School from May 26 to July 2, 2026!
The Program
Jamestown’s Field School provides a unique opportunity for students to contribute to the research and interpretation of early 17th-century English America. The Field School, jointly offered by the Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation and the University of Virginia, introduces participants to the methods and theories of American historical archaeology through hands-on fieldwork. Students will be helping to expand our understanding of the site of James Fort (1607-1624). Throughout the Field School, students will learn excavation and recording procedures and identify and interpret 17th-century artifacts from each culture that interacted at Jamestown — European, First Peoples, and Africans. In addition, the Field School will include field trips and weekly seminars exploring recent contributions of historical archaeology to colonial history, new field recording and interpretation methods, cutting edge technology in archaeology like ground-penetrating radar, and a survey of the recent literature in the discipline. Both novice and experienced students will learn practical archaeological skills and the course is also an excellent educational opportunity for teachers seeking recertification in the social studies content area.
For more details regarding excavations planned for the 2026 Field School, click here.
Course Requirements
Field School Director: Sean Romo, Director of Archaeology
Students will be required to attend classes 40 hours a week (Monday-Friday), with most of that time spent on-site working on the excavation. Strenuous daily activities will require physical endurance and excellent health. Specifically, students must be willing and able to work outdoors in high heat and high humidity conditions. In addition, students must be able to stand, kneel, or crouch for up to 7 hours and lift weights of approximately 50 pounds. Students also will spend time processing and learning to identify artifacts from the early Anglo-American settlement period in the Jamestown Rediscovery laboratory. Students will be required to keep a journal of their field, lab, and seminar work.
Upon completing this course, participants will receive six graduate credits from the University of Virginia. Students who transfer credits must make arrangements directly with their college or university. Educators wishing to apply this course toward recertification must obtain prior approval from their school systems. See below for 2026 tuition rates and fees as well as information on housing.
A field school student shares her findings
2026 Tuition Rates and Fees
The tuition rate for the 2026 Summer Field School is yet to be determined. The rates from the previous two years are listed below to give an estimated cost for the program. These rates are subject to change.
Tuition is based on University of Virginia Summer Session rates for 2025, which can be found here: https://summer.virginia.edu/tuition-fees. All tuition/fees listed above include the University of Virginia’s additional off-site fee of $60.
* Virginia Domicile has stricter requirements than Residency, and is determined by the University of Virginia. Domicile requirements can be found here: https://vastatus.virginia.edu/virginia-domicile-requirements ** Tuition rates for out-of-state students reflect a scholarship of 50% provided by the Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation.
Room and Board
Jamestown Rediscovery works with the College of William & Mary to secure local housing for interested students. Please note on your application if you would like to rent local housing through Jamestown Rediscovery, so the proper number of rooms may be secured.
2025 Rates
Single apartment: $2,415 ($55 per night + $15 management fee + $90 key deposit)
Double apartment: $1827 ($41 per night + $15 management fee + $90 key deposit)
Application
To apply, please submit an application form (download application form), a résumé, a statement of personal and professional reasons for wanting to participate in the Jamestown Archaeological Field School, any other evidence of a well-rounded personality, the ability to work with others, willingness and ability to work outdoors for up to 7 hours in high heat and high humidity conditions, ability to lift weights of approximately 50 pounds, and two recommendation letters (download recommendation form). Current or previous affiliation with the University of Virginia is not required to attend the Field School. Completed applications must be received by April 10, 2026 (if you cannot make this deadline, please contact the staff).
Applicants will be selected based upon a review of their résumé, application form, statement of personal and professional reasons for wanting to attend the school, and recommendations. Applicants will be notified no later than April 14, 2026 (In some cases, early acceptance may be granted if required by the applicant).
