Students from the 2008 Bates
County Field School excavate a
farmstead burned to the ground
as the result of General Order
No. 11.
County Field School excavate a
farmstead burned to the ground
as the result of General Order
No. 11.
Screening for artifacts.
Photos: L. Mark Raab
Photos: L. Mark Raab
Welcome to the Home of Bates County Archaeology
Welcome to the Bates County Missouri
Archaeological Field School website. This website
contains information about the Bates County
Archaeology field school, as well as the history
behind the events.
2012 Field School Dates Announced:
June 7-29, 2012! Download the Application HERE!
Archaeological Field School website. This website
contains information about the Bates County
Archaeology field school, as well as the history
behind the events.
2012 Field School Dates Announced:
June 7-29, 2012! Download the Application HERE!
The field school, with its first season being conducted in summer of 2008,
focuses on one of the most traumatic events in American history. In the run-up to
the Civil War, the Missouri-Kansas border was the scene of merciless partisan
fighting between pro-Union and secessionist groups, culminating in William
Clarke Quantrill's infamous raid on Lawrence, Kansas, in which nearly 200 men
and boys were singled out for death. Following Quantrill's raid, the Union Army
issued General Order No. 11. This order, issued in 1863, resulted in the complete
depopulation of Bates County and the total destruction of all towns, farms,
livestock and crops, creating an extraordinary archaeological time capsule in
Bates County.
Bates County was also the site of the Battle of Island Mound, the first military
engagement of African-American soldiers in the Civil War. Missouri's newest state
park, The Battle of Island Mound State Park, was recently established in Butler,
Missouri to commemorate and interpret this extraordinary event in our nation's
history.
Starting with initial excavations in the fall of 2007, and continuing with the 2008
and 2009 field seasons, this field school first began to research the effects of
General Order No. 11, particularly the ability of the county's people to recover
economically and socially after the war. The 2011 field season turned its attention
to the Battle of Island Mound State Park, in order to locate the primary activity
areas associated with the Toothman Farm/Fort Africa, and to begin the process of
interpreting the day-to-day lives of the people who lived on the site, as well as the
soldiers of the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry.
Although this program focuses on Civil War-era archaeological sites, students
will receive training in research techniques employed by archaeologists around
the world. This field school is valuable to students planning advanced work in
archaeology, students seeking employment in contract (CRM) archaeology, or
who merely want to experience field research in archaeology.
Please use the links above learn more about the history of the area, early
excavations, the 2008/2009/2011 field seasons as well as the upcoming 2012
field season. If you'd like to get involved either in the field or on the sidelines,
please click on the Field Schools and/or Contact Us links to learn more.
focuses on one of the most traumatic events in American history. In the run-up to
the Civil War, the Missouri-Kansas border was the scene of merciless partisan
fighting between pro-Union and secessionist groups, culminating in William
Clarke Quantrill's infamous raid on Lawrence, Kansas, in which nearly 200 men
and boys were singled out for death. Following Quantrill's raid, the Union Army
issued General Order No. 11. This order, issued in 1863, resulted in the complete
depopulation of Bates County and the total destruction of all towns, farms,
livestock and crops, creating an extraordinary archaeological time capsule in
Bates County.
Bates County was also the site of the Battle of Island Mound, the first military
engagement of African-American soldiers in the Civil War. Missouri's newest state
park, The Battle of Island Mound State Park, was recently established in Butler,
Missouri to commemorate and interpret this extraordinary event in our nation's
history.
Starting with initial excavations in the fall of 2007, and continuing with the 2008
and 2009 field seasons, this field school first began to research the effects of
General Order No. 11, particularly the ability of the county's people to recover
economically and socially after the war. The 2011 field season turned its attention
to the Battle of Island Mound State Park, in order to locate the primary activity
areas associated with the Toothman Farm/Fort Africa, and to begin the process of
interpreting the day-to-day lives of the people who lived on the site, as well as the
soldiers of the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry.
Although this program focuses on Civil War-era archaeological sites, students
will receive training in research techniques employed by archaeologists around
the world. This field school is valuable to students planning advanced work in
archaeology, students seeking employment in contract (CRM) archaeology, or
who merely want to experience field research in archaeology.
Please use the links above learn more about the history of the area, early
excavations, the 2008/2009/2011 field seasons as well as the upcoming 2012
field season. If you'd like to get involved either in the field or on the sidelines,
please click on the Field Schools and/or Contact Us links to learn more.
Bates County Archaeology
Bates County Archaeology
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