Summer dig holds open house on Monday
Contact: Kathleen Maclay, Media Relations
(510) 643-5651
kmaclay@berkeley.edu
12 June 2009
ATTENTION: Higher education and feature writers, photographers
WHAT
An open house for a University of California, Berkeley, archaeological dig being conducted a few blocks from campus by 20 students as part of a field school. The dig site was once home to Berkeley entrepreneur John Hinkel's mansion and conservatory, the "Casa Hispana" boarding facility and housing for World War II workers.
The students will explain and interpret for visitors the unearthed treasures and other remains - including pieces from an 1895 greenhouse and a 1910 garage - that reflect the city of Berkeley's early 19th and early 20th century residential life and community development.
WHEN
10 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday, June 15
WHERE
The dig site is in Berkeley's Southside area, near People's Park, and includes small areas within the Anna Head West parking lot. The lot is on the block bordered by Channing Way, Haste Street, Telegraph Avenue and Bowditch Street.
DETAILS
The dig is the central focus of a course offered this summer through the campus's Department of Anthropology, its Archaeological Research Facility and Summer Sessions.
UC Berkeley Professor Laurie Wilkie is supervising the effort, which is designed to expose students to the rigors, practicalities and professional practices of a real archaeological dig, without the added expenses of transportation and housing. The field school site is slated for future development as student housing.