Primary and Secondary Archaeologies

A six-year collaboration between
St. Stephen’s Episcopal School http://www.ourmindbodyspirit.org/
and the City of Austin's Water Quality Protection Lands.





Archaeology at SSES is focused on teaching the methods of archaeological field survey, mapping, excavation, and interpretation.

The program begins with a trip to the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory for lessons on artifact and records curation.


Lessons in field situations emphasize integrated/interdisciplinary learningthrough scientific methods, site recording, teaching the importance of context, a preservation ethic as well as chronology (prehistory & history), and mapping.






Field surveys at the Rutherford Ranch have revealed multiple historic and prehistoric activity areas.


Large biface oblate tools are inferred to have been used for processing plants and as valuable chert resources for trading.

The goal of the Archaeology Program is to provide our students with an experiential opportunity for interdisciplinary, cross-curricular and applied lessons.


Using the theme science as service the program facilitates the gifts of archaeological data and interpretations.