Strawbery Banke archaeologists have conducted some of the most extensive urban archaeology projects on the East Coast.

Since the earliest excavations at Puddle Dock in the 1960s, historical artifacts and features have helped the Museum interpret social behavior, cultural change, and daily life in the past. The Collections Department houses over 1,000,000 artifacts, including ceramics, glass, metal, wood, animal bone, shell, seeds, and leather. The examination of these belongings yields information about domestic life, maritime activities, industry, architecture, diet, horticultural practices and the local economy. Archaeology has also helped the Museum to reconstruct buildings, wharves, gardens, roads, and pathways.

Archaeologists at Strawbery Banke have uncovered:

  • Artifacts and features reflecting human occupation over 10,000 years

  • Building foundations along former streets and alleys

  • Features and deposits behind dwellings

  • Historic water management and other utilities in the neighborhood

  • Information about historic landowners and tenants who occupied the historic structures

  • Evidence of Indigenous people, community leaders, immigrants, women and children, and enslaved Africans

  • Occupational transitions from farmers to tradespeople to merchants

Archaeology Field School

Field Session: June 3-14, 2025,
9 AM-4 PM in Rollinsford, NH - Full; Join the Waiting List!
Lab Session: June 16-27, 2025,
9 AM-4 PM at Strawbery Banke Museum - Full; Join the Waiting List!

This course offers hands-on training in archaeological field and lab methods, focusing on the c. 1701 Col. Paul Wentworth site in Rollinsford, NH. Students may join the Field Session to excavate, identify artifacts, and lead tours and/or the Lab Session to process, catalog, and interpret finds.

Click the “Apply” section below to learn more and apply.

Interested in learning more?

  • Read the Dig Strawbery Banke archaeology blog

  • Review the Archaeology bibliography for more resources including various published articles

  • 2025 Archaeology Field School

    Take one or both of two 2-week sessions!

    Field Session: June 3 – June 14; Tuesday – Saturday 9am – 4pm in Rollinsford, NH -

    Lab Session: June 16 – June 27; Monday – Friday 9am – 4pm at the Carter Collections Center, at Strawbery Banke Museum

    $500 per session

    CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE WAITING LIST

    Course Description:  This course is intended to offer students in the fields of archaeology, anthropology, history, or related fields, hands-on training in field and lab methodology. This year, we are pleased to be working with the Association for Rollinsford Culture and History and Dr. Tad Baker. Research will focus on recovering archaeological resources at the site of the c. 1701 Col. Paul Wentworth in Rollinsford, NH. Field trips, tours by experts, and required readings on historical archaeology will introduce students to various areas of historic specialization. This summer the museum offers a field session as well as a lab session. Students may choose either or both (the field session is not a pre-requisite for the lab session).

    During the Field Session, students are trained in archaeological field techniques and learn to identify historic artifacts. This field school places a special emphasis on public archaeology and interpretation. Students will lead tours for visitors daily, and are expected to offer interpretation of the site and the excavation activity.

    During the Lab Session, students work in the Carter Collections Center laboratory at Strawbery Banke Museum to gain experience in processing, identifying, and cataloging artifacts recovered from the Wentworth site. Students are expected to prepare a blog post or interpretive panel to describe artifacts to museum visitors.

    Requirements: This field school does not require previous archaeological experience, though coursework in anthropology, archaeology, or history might be helpful. Students should be able to work well as part of a team. 

    For the Field Session: Archaeological fieldwork can be demanding. Students should be able to tolerate physical activity in the summer weather. Students should also be comfortable kneeling, bent, or standing for long periods of time; and be able to lift heavy loads, climb in and out of deep trenches, and work on uneven terrain. If you are concerned about these requirements, please contact the instructor so that we can make accommodations for your involvement in the fieldwork without risk of injury to yourself or others, or damage to the integrity of the site.

    Available Credits: Students may arrange to receive academic credit through their university. Please contact museum archaeologist Dr. Alix Martin for more details at amartin@sbmuseum.org.

    Room and Board: Students are responsible for their own accommodations and transportation.

    Click here to view a short video on the Archaeological Field School!

  • Join the NH Archaeology Month celebrations every April

  • Contact Alexandra Martin, Strawbery Banke Archaeologist about research opportunities at amartin@sbmuseum.org