University of Wisconsin–Madison
Study Abroad
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UW Archaeology Field School

Steep rocky mountains, concealed at the top by clouds.
Students gathered on a grassy plain, with hills in the background, on a sunny day.

This program is currently suspended. We will continue to evaluate circumstances for future durations.

South Africa, Swartkrans

Experience Paleoanthropology in South Africa

The Swartkrans Cave site has provided the:

  • Largest sample  (> 126 individuals) of Paranthropus robustus in the world
  • First evidence for the co-existence of two different hominin lineages
    • Homo erectus (direct ancestor of modern humans)
    • Paranthropus robustus (extinct “cousin” of the genus Homo)
  • First and earliest evidence for controlled use of fire found anywhere  c. 1.0 million years ago
  • First and earliest evidence of tool use with non-stone material (i.e. bone tools) c. 2.0 million years ago

This four-week program offers you the opportunity to participate in a paleoanthropology fieldschool at the famous fossil human locality of Swartkrans, South Africa. Swartkrans, a cave site approximately twenty miles from Johannesburg, is recognized as one of the world's most important archaeological and fossil localities for the study of human evolution, and is part of the "Cradle of Humankind" World Heritage Site. The site's geological deposits span millions of years and sample several important events in human evolution.
The oldest finds at the site date between 2.0 and 1.0 million years old-a time period during which our immediate ancestor, Homo erectus, shared the landscape with the extinct ape-man species Australopithecus robustus. In addition to fossils of these species, Swartkrans also preserves an abundant archaeological record of their behavior in the form of stone and bone tools, as well as butchered animal bones. Most spectacularly, the site contains evidence of the earliest known use of fire by human ancestors, dated to about 1.0 million years old. Younger deposits at the site sample the Middle Stone Age archaeological traces of early Homo sapiens.

You will learn about these fascinating ancestors through a hands-on course that includes instruction in archaeological survey, site mapping, excavation, recording, artifact and fossil analysis (human and animal), and laboratory techniques. Fieldwork will be supplemented with occasional lectures, workshops, and fossil locality tours with internationally recognized paleoanthropologists working at nearby sites.

The program is directed by Dr. Travis Pickering, Professor of Anthropology at UW-Madison. Over his decades of working in South Africa, Dr. Pickering has cultivated strong relationships with researchers in the area ensuring that students on this program will see original fossils and artifacts and receive site tours from the primary researchers in the field.

Learn more about how UW-Madison students are searching for traces of our earliest ancestors in Swartkrans and uncovering our evolutionary past.

Learning Objectives

We have overall Goals and Expectations for Study Abroad Participants, covering the personal, academic and professional aspects of study abroad. Additionally on this program, you can:

  • Learn archaeological survey, site mapping, excavation, recording, artifact and fossil analysis (human and animal), and laboratory techniques.
  • Participate in excavation research under the guidance of the Program Leader and project staff.
  • Gain extensive training in paleoanthropological excavation and laboratory analyses of fossils and stone tools.

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to providing quality study abroad and domestic study away programs for every UW-Madison student. We work strategically to identify, address, and remove barriers that may prevent participation and to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for students. Our staff actively engages with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and prioritizes the continuous development of our knowledge and cultural competence. We also recognize the importance of increasing access to study abroad for historically underrepresented student populations. We are committed to diversity and inclusion so that every student can engage with and understand their identity through a new lens and continue to develop and make progress on their personal, professional, and academic goals.

Sustainability

We recognize that the future of study abroad, domestic study away, and international internship programming requires a Commitment to Sustainability. We are devoted to examining, developing, and improving sustainability in all our endeavors, aligning with campus priorities and following through with UW-Madison's climate action and Resilience Commitment. Join our efforts and learn more about how to study abroad sustainably.

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Eligibility

  • Finalists may be interviewed by the Program Leader or have a reference requested.

  • 2.0 cumulative GPA
  • Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior, Graduate Student
  • Open to UW-Madison degree seeking students and all degree-seeking undergraduate students at a US college or university. Preference is given to UW-Madison students
  • Good academic and disciplinary standing
  • At the time of application and the semester prior to participation, UW-Madison students must be currently enrolled. Transfer Students to UW-Madison need to be currently enrolled at their home institution

Advising Location

Program Structure

UW Signature

Subjects

Anthropology, Archaeology

Classroom Language

English

Housing

Permanent Campsites

Program Duration

Summer: Mid-June - Mid-July

Application Deadline(s)

Future durations will be posted at a later date.

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Upon arrival, you will head directly to the Swartkrans camp to get oriented to the program. At camp, you will attend lectures and seminars on relevant topics including faunal analysis, taphonomy, hominid fossils, and stone tools conducted by leading researchers in the field. You will also participate in excavation research under the guidance of the program staff. Extensive training will be provided in paleoanthropological excavation and laboratory analyses of fossils and stone tools. Participants will take fieldtrips to the local sites of Kromdraai, Drimolen and Sterkfontein.

You will earn six credits in Anthro 454 - Study Abroad: Topics in Biological Anthropology credits. Grades will be based on fieldwork, field notes, and a final term paper on a topic covered in laboratory and/or field instruction.

Coursework taken on this program may lead to the Certificate in Archaeology at UW-Madison.

Program Web Pages

Swartkrans Cave UNESCO Site

Course Equivalents

Use the links below to see a list of courses that past students have taken on this program and the UW equivalents. Note: This list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses, departments or equivalents. Courses may not be available the semester you are abroad. You will receive instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance. View Course Equivalents

Program Leader

Dr. Travis Pickering

Professor, Anthropology

https://www.anthropology.wisc.edu/staff/pickering-travis/ 

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Social, Environmental, and Economic Development (SEED) Scholarship

Description
SEED stands for Social, Environmental and Economic Development. The Authentica SEED Scholarship is a $1,500 study abroad sustainability scholarship — $1,200 toward your program cost and a further $300 once you submit a post-program report on your project — awarded twice a year to a student who turns a real observation abroad into a practical, SDG-aligned idea. It is open to students worldwide, with any program or provider — no application fee and no minimum GPA. Award Amount
$1500 $1,200 applied toward your program cost · $300 released once you submit your post-program repor

How to Apply
For more information and to apply, visit the scholarship website.