Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Survey 2017 - Passport in Time
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Michigan - Huron-Manistee NF
Closed! Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Cultural Resource Eligibility Assessments
View from dunes with Lake Michigan in background
MI-4355
September 18-22; 25-29, 2017
Must commit to 1 entire session; may participate in both
Imagine: a wilderness setting; warm, gentle breezes and the sound of the surf filling the air and greeting you; waking each morning for an exciting day of archaeological exploration! Well, you’ll find this and more on the shores of Lake Michigan in the Huron-Manistee National Forests! Based within the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness in Mason County, Michigan, our two-week Passport in Time (PIT) Project will perform 15 National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) site eligibility determinations. The Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area was established by Congress in 1987, designating approximately 3,450 acres of Manistee National Forest Lands as wilderness. The Wilderness is located along Lake Michigan, and consists of lake shore, dune fields, low wet-land, and both hardwood and coniferous woodlands. The primary purpose for this project is to provide the general public an opportunity to actively participate in the cultural resource management of their National Forests, so why not be one of those?!
Participants will hike across the Wilderness in order to complete NRHP eligibility determinations on ten prehistoric- and five historic-period cultural resource sites. We also hope to establish cultural contexts for eight of the ten prehistoric sites, and identify subsistence and settlement patterns. To accomplish this additional goal, we will perform shovel testing; test unit excavation and site monitoring; and artifact sorting, cleaning, and cataloging – literally, a little something to fit every retired, aspiring, amateur, expert, or curious archaeologist! We are excited about being able to provide an opportunity like this and we look forward to hosting you in September – see you this fall!
Number of openings: 20 (10 per session)
Special skills: Must be physically capable of hiking moderate distances each day, over often difficult terrain, and in a variety of weather conditions; previous archaeological survey, excavation, mapping, documentation procedures, artifact identification, area history, and/or archaeological laboratory/curation experience helpful, but not required
Minimum age: 18 years old
Facilities: There are a number of public and private campgrounds located in the greater Hamlin Lake area; amenities vary; fees will apply and are the responsibility of the volunteer. The following is a brief (but not comprehensive) list of possible accommodations (please use web search or, where indicated, phone numbers to inquire about lodging, fees, and amenities): Lake Michigan Recreation Area Campground – Fee (flush toilets and vault toilets, water), Freesoil, MI; Lakeview Campground – Fee; 6181 No. Peterson Road, Ludington, MI (231) 843-3702; Ludington State Park Campground – Fee; 8800 West M-116, Ludington, MI (231) 843-2423; Cartier Park Campground – Fee; 1254 No. Lakeshore Drive, Ludington, MI (231) 845-1522; Ludington and Manistee are full-service communities with hotels/motels, restaurants, grocery, RV parks, B&Bs, and a full range of other amenities; volunteers responsible for own lodging/camping equipment, meals, water, day pack, and daily transportation to and from designated meeting area
Nearest towns: Project based in Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness; Ludington, 12 miles; Manistee, 12 miles away
Applications due: Deadline Extended!
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