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Migrant Material Culture Project: Ethnoarchaeology of undocumented migration

Since the mid-1990’s, thousands of undocumented migrants from Mexico and beyond have been entering the U.S. through the harsh Sonora Desert of Arizona on foot. Migrants carry backpacks loaded with food, clothing and provisions and often walk for days to reach places such as Tucson and Phoenix. Along the way people will eat, sleep, and discard artifacts at temporary migrant campsites known as “lay-up” sites. The Migrant Material Culture Project studies lay-up sites using traditional archaeological methods along with ethnography to better understand the complex social, political, economic, and environmental issues currently surrounding modern undocumented migration into the United States.

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Room and Board Specifics

ACCOMMODATIONS:
During the week students will camp on the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Reserve and other public lands in southern Arizona. Weekends (Friday and Saturday) will be spent in a hotel in Tucson. Students will be able to do laundry on the weekends in Tucson. Students are responsible for bringing a tent, sleeping bag, and basic survey/excavation kit to the field (see syllabus). A list of other recommended gear and apparel appears on the course syllabus.

MEALS:
Tuition covers the cost of meals on weekdays (Monday-Friday). Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be prepared by a professional cook. Students are responsible for their meals on weekends. Tucson features an array of ethnically diverse and affordable cafes and restaurants, and grocery store trips will be taken bi-weekly for those wishing to purchase additional supplies or goods during the week.

Please let us know when you apply for this program if you have special dietary needs, as well as any medical or physical conditions. We will advise you accordingly.