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 27 to July 3, 2025!
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 European and First People’s artifacts. 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, 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 2025 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 (Anthropology 5589) 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 2025 tuition rates and fees as well as information on housing.
A field school student shares her findings
2025 Tuition Rates and Fees
In-State Tuition (Virginia Domicile*)
Undergraduate Students: $2,880
Graduate Students: $3,366
Out-of-State Tuition (Non-Virginia Domicile*)
**Undergraduate Students: $5,268
**Graduate Students: $3,411
Tuition is based on University of Virginia Summer Session rates for 2025, which can be found here: https://summer.virginia.edu/tuition-and-fees-2025. 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.
Students choosing to stay with William & Mary will reside at the Ludwell Apartments:
