LAKEPORT, Calif. – Consider spending your summer in medieval Ireland, living and learning while experiencing an amazing archaeology and cultural program with anthropological field work, course work, group trips, service learning projects and a living history opportunity.
The public is invited to attend a special free program presented by Dr. Samuel Connell, professor of anthropology at Foothill College, to learn about this unique research project that includes archaeological survey and excavation and community development activities.
The program, sponsored by the Lake County Friends of Mendocino College, Friends of the Lake County Museum, and Mendocino College Lake Center, is on Sunday, March 26, at 2 p.m. in Room 7050 at Mendocino College Lake Center, 2565 Parallel Drive in Lakeport.
The archaeological and anthropological project this year is a student-focused investigation of the ancient and modern medieval Irish landscape.
The archaeology will consist of text excavations within the Ballintober Castle in northwest Ireland coupled with systematic foot survey and geophysical techniques such as ground-penetrating radar. The anthropology will trace a community’s relationship with castles through time.
Additional time will be spent participating in experimental archaeological research and learning medieval life-ways from experts at living history museums.
The project is entitled, “Castles in Communities in Ireland 2017: Archaeology Stories of the Middle Ages from Beyond the Pale,” in medieval Ireland and the kingdom of Connacht where the last high kings defended their country against invading English nobles.
Whether you’re interested in travel, research, archaeology and anthropology, castles and communities - this presentation will enchant and inform and be of interest to a wide audience.
Dr. Connell’s talk will include photographs of previous field projects where his students have conducted research in Ecuador, Belize and Ireland and here in California.
He is a longtime visitor to Lake County and passionate about discovering and experiencing places you won’t believe exist.
Visit http://www.foothill.edu/anthropology/ireland.php for more information about the Field School. Program information is available from the Lake Center, 707-263-4944.