YSU students teach Boardman campers archaeology basics

By JORDYN GRZELEWSKI

jgrzelewski@vindy.com

BOARDMAN

“I found something!” one boy called out excitedly.

He and other participants in Boardman Park’s Adventure Day Camp were digging for artifacts in the park’s sand volleyball court Friday. Campers eagerly uncovered seashells and brightly colored gemstones.

The activity was organized and led by a group from Youngstown State University’s department of sociology and anthropology. Several YSU students, led by instructor/archaeologist Tom Delvaux, volunteered at the camp four days this week, culminating in Friday’s dig. This marked the fourth year the YSU archaeology group visited campers.

The aim, Delvaux said, is that kids “get a taste for what archaeology is. It’s a science. It’s not Indiana Jones.”

Archaeological skills “apply to a lot of different things,” said Delvaux. “Methodology. Patience.”

Earlier this week, campers learned archaeology basics and got to see artifacts that the YSU team brought with them. On Friday, campers learned about the tools archaeologists use and how to properly dig for artifacts. They also got to put their knowledge to use.

Crouched in the sand, campers clustered around the small, square areas that had been roped off for digging. They used trowels to push sand aside and uncover whatever might be hidden below. They then scooped sand into buckets and used large sifting screens to filter out sand and find small artifacts.

Kids expressed delight at the activity.

“I like digging,” said Adelynn Rudge, 7, of Boardman. “We all found a little gem.”

Braeden DuPont, 7, smiled brightly as he showed off the seashell and gemstone he had unearthed. Finding seashells was his favorite part of the exercise, he said.

Will Garrett, 7, smiled as he said that he, too, liked finding items under the sand.

Karen McCallum, park recreation director, said the collaboration with YSU is a “great partnership.”

It’s “community involvement with a fantastic university group that wants to do this outreach,” she said. “For the kids, it’s great learning – and who wouldn’t want to get their hands dirty and learn about history?”

“It’s learning in a fun, hands-on experience,” she added.