Kisatchie National Forest Archaeological Survey

Participating agreement between the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and the USDA Forest Service, Kisatchie National Forest, Kisatchie Ranger District


Since 2012 an agreement has been established between the Kisatchie National Forest, USDA Forest Service, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and Louisiana State University for the purposes of involving students in the Kisatchie Ranger District's summer archaeological survey program. Students participate in archaeological fieldwork under the supervision of the Kisatchie Ranger District archaeologist. This experience provides valuable career training to students interested in archaeology. The students assist the District Archaeologist with archaeological surveys and projects in the Kisatchie Ranger District, thereby facilitating compliance with Federal cultural resource management legislation and regulations. The Participating Agreement provides beneficial assistance to the Kisatchie Ranger District, while providing students with an additional source of applied instruction and practical field experience.

Summer Archaeological Survey in Kisatchie National Forest

The Kisatchie Ranger District of the Kisatchie National Forest anticipates openings for four students to perform archaeological surveys in the longleaf pine uplands of Natchitoches Parish this summer. These positions will be filled through a participating agreement with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and Louisiana State University.

The positions will run for ten weeks, Monday through Friday, 8 hours per day. University policy requires that students be currently registered to be eligible (but not enrolled in summer courses). Previous experience is not required, but the ability to at least recognize basic artifact categories (debitage, ceramics) in the field is preferred.

Work will consist of archaeological survey in wooded areas (screened shovel tests at 30 meter intervals along transects). Hot weather, bugs, uneven terrain, heavy vegetation and otherwise primitive conditions will be a part of daily operations. Students will work under the direct supervision of the District Archaeologist. A description of Phase I archaeological survey can be found online under the Louisiana Division of Archaeology's Section 106 Field Standards. Government housing will be available in trailers at Dogwood Campground immediately adjacent to the District office.

If you are interested in being considered for one of these positions, fill out an application and send to Dr. Rees.

For more information, contact:

Dr. Mark A. Rees, Louisiana Public Archaeology Lab, 108 Mouton Hall, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70504.

Geoffrey Lehmann, Kisatchie Ranger District Archaeologist, 229 Dogwood Park Road, Provencal, LA 71468.

LAPAL