Analysis of Archaeological Data from Excavations at Frenchman's Park (Data Archaeology)

The Stanford Archaeology Center plans to offer the lab experience in Summer 2026.

The dates of this lab experience offering will be Summer 2026.

Applications for 2026 are open and will close on March 1, 2026. Read more about the opportunity and apply here.

Undergraduate Lab Experience

This student research opportunity involves analysis of excavation data from archaeological site of the multi-layered Frenchman's Lake site on the Stanford campus. We will primarily use ArcGIS Pro to visualize changes in patterns of archaeological features and material culture over time and make these informative for viewers (such as data animations). We will also employ statistics and graphing techniques to query the data.

The site's rich historical layers - ranging from 19th-century European settlement to early Stanford student recreation and the creation of a public park - offer a dynamic setting to explore archaeological methods. Beyond technical training, the course encourages critical inquiry into how archaeology can illuminate everyday life, institutional histories, and the material legacy of the modern university. Open to all, no experience required. By the end of the summer, the student will have gained experience in various approaches to archaeological data analysis, the development of research questions, and how data is used to visualize and narrate a compelling story. By the end of the summer, student researchers will prepare a poster for presentation based on their analyses.

What Will You Do

Analysis of Archaeological Data
Data Visualization
Archaeological Interpretation
Communication of Results to the Broader Community

Requirements for Participation

Students accepted to our lab experiences are required to participate in any pre-meetings with the faculty leader of their program in the quarter prior. Each lab experience has different requirements that will be communicated by the faculty leader.
After the conclusion of their lab experience, the Archaeology Center requires that all lab experience students apply to participate in SURPS (Symposia for Undergraduate Research and Public Service). Students from each lab experience are expected to work together to complete an application, prepare a poster, and present at the SURPS event on the Friday of the reunion homecoming weekend.
Each of our field and lab experiences is part of an ongoing research project led by a Stanford faculty member. While in the lab, undergraduates are expected to contribute to the team effort of the archaeological project at the faculty member's direction. Fieldwork can take the form of several different activities. Each day's activities can look different and may change depending on the evolving direction of the research. Students participating in a field or lab experience should be prepared to be flexible and responsive to the instructions of the faculty member or other senior project staff.

Application Information

This field experience opportunity is open to all undergraduates except graduating seniors.
Undergraduates from all majors are encouraged to apply.
No prior knowledge of archaeology is required, although we prefer to support students who will pursue an archaeology-centered career. All necessary training will be provided while in the field.
Acceptance of the lab experience comes with funding for eligible expenses subject to the budget of the project. The Archaeology Center will issue a one-time stipend at the beginning of the project. Students will be informed of the stipend limit.
Stipend amounts will be determined by VPUE and communicated to students when they are accepted to the lab experience.
Students who plan to participate in an archaeology lab experience cannot receive a major grant or a Chappell-Lougee scholarship within the same academic year as their lab experience.

Learn more about general field or lab experience opportunities with the Stanford Archaeology Center.

Frenchman's Park

excavations

Archaeological data analysis