Clearing Away the Cobwebs: The AVCAR Orphaned Collections and Innovative Undergraduate Research

Summary

This is an abstract from the "Expanding Our Understanding of the Mojave Desert: Emerging Research and New Perspectives on Old Data" session, at the 89th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

The Antelope Valley Archaeological Repository (AVCAR) houses over 300 archaeological sites from the western Mojave Desert. These collections constitute over 40 years of compliance-based and salvage archaeological excavations led by Antelope Valley College and the Antelope Valley Archaeological Society. While these documented sites vary in complexity, quantity, and size, they resemble some of the most extensive excavations within the region. AVCAR collections are largely unanalyzed and most of the associated field work remains unpublished; hence, they meet the typical definition of “orphaned” archaeological collections. Furthermore, various curation methodologies known to be research precursors provide organic and meaningful encounters that inspire undergraduate research. In this presentation, I will outline the various management strategies and research designs applied to the AVCAR orphaned collections, which have promoted student stewardship and research at the community college level. Additionally, by uncovering the research potential of the AVCAR orphaned collections, students have gained valuable insight into the process of collaborative efforts between local tribal governments throughout the region. By employing “community-based” archaeological practices for the AVCAR orphaned collections, students can develop pragmatic skills that promote a more sustainable form of archaeology in the region.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 89th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2024)   •
• Expanding Our Understanding of the Mojave Desert: Emerging Research and New Perspectives on Old Data

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 41618.0