Phillip Wanyerka (Ph.D.), Director of Anthropology, and the CSU Archaeological Field School Program, was contacted by the Richfield Heritage Preserve to do winter archaeology at an historic 1836 home called the Oviatt House.

This house was part of the Underground Railroad system and house where the famed abolitionist Jim Brown also resided for a time.

The park asked Dr. Wanyerka and his students to monitor the removal of a concrete patio and sidewalk around this historic structure. So on a nice cold day, he and four of his archaeology students spent most of the day digging and monitoring the removals.

They located and saved numerous historic artifacts including early 1800s decorated whitewater and crockery. They also monitored the removal of a large cistern. This was a valuable teaching and learning experience for his students. It gave them further practical archaeological experience and even though it was quite cold that day, Dr. Wanyerka said that he never heard a peep of complaint from any of his students.

When talking about Engaged Learning, no one does this better than we do here in Anthropology!!