Join us for an unforgettable summer of discovery, learning, and adventure. The Archaeology Summer Field Training Program at Boomplaas Cave will challenge you, inspire you, and equip you with unique experiences as you uncover the past in a truly epic setting. Get ready to dig deeper – into history, into other cultures, and into your own potential as a future archaeologist!
Over the past three years, our team has provided training opportunities for 87 undergraduate and graduate students from several countries. These students have trained in state-of-the-art Palaeolithic field excavation methods and trans-disciplinary scientific field research. Most of these students come from African countries, most are women, and many are from historical disadvantaged backgrounds. Six of these students, Bacara Spruit (University of the Witwatersrand), Setareh Shafizadeh (University of the Washington), Caitlin Craig (Simon Frazer University), Zarah Abrahams (University of Cape Town), Asithandile Ntsondwa (New York University), and Kathryn Sokolowski (University of Utah), have gone on to use their training experience at Boomplaas Cave to support postgraduate research projects involving materials from the site.
The Boomplaas Project Archaeological Field School, South Africa, is a summer research program that has been operational since 2022. The Boomplaas project examines the role of climate-driven environmental change in shaping the behavioral evolution of early modern humans. This program provides students with training in state-of-the-art Paleolithic excavation methods and broadens participation in interdisciplinary field archaeology. It also immerses students in the scientific culture of international collaborative field science.
At its heart, the program is about hands-on discovery and collaborative science. Students receive training in state-of-the-art Paleolithic excavation techniques while actively contributing to ongoing research at a world-renowned archaeological site. Along the way, they become part of an international research team—gaining experience in interdisciplinary fieldwork, exposure to global scientific collaboration, and a deep appreciation for the scientific process in action.
As of 2025, the program is open to both NYU and non-NYU students in archaeology or related fields. It combines excavation training, laboratory analysis, and cultural exploration in one of the most stunning and scientifically significant landscapes in the world. At Boomplaas students will get the opportunity to work side by side with expert archaeologists and fellow students from around the globe, gaining skills and memories to last a lifetime. Skills that the students will receive include excavating, processing site materials, site recording, team work and leadership, laboratory skills, and scientific thinking.
In addition to fieldwork, students will participate in workshops and three unique excursions designed to highlight South Africa’s world-renowned natural and cultural heritage. These excursions include visits to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Pinnacle Point and the Swartberg Complex, as well as a trip to Monkeyland - a renowned primate sanctuary.
Living and working in South Africa for five weeks means you’ll experience much more than just academic learning. You’ll be immersed in the local culture and environment of the Western Cape. Even off-duty, every day is a learning experience – from enjoying South African cuisine and hospitality to learning a bit of local language or customs. The surrounding region is safe, welcoming, and rich in history, giving you a chance to broaden your cultural horizons while you make lifelong memories with your peers.
Throughout the program, you’ll also benefit from strong mentorship and support. Our instructors include NYU faculty and senior scientists who provide one-on-one guidance in the field and lab. They will teach you techniques, answer your questions, and involve you in real research decision-making. Alongside them are graduate student mentors and experienced field assistants who remember what it’s like to be a beginner and can offer tips, encouragement, and help whenever you need it. This dual mentorship model – learning from professors and near-peer mentors – creates a supportive learning community. Every student receives personal attention to build confidence and competence. Whether you’re troubleshooting an excavation strategy or discussing career paths over dinner, you’ll have mentors invested in your growth as an archaeologist and a scholar.
By the end of the program, you will have built an impressive toolkit of practical skills and experiences that will benefit your academic and professional journey. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll develop:
Archaeological Field Techniques: Master the basics of excavation, site mapping, surveying, and artifact recovery in a real dig environment.
Laboratory Analysis: Learn how to clean, catalog, and analyze artifacts and ecofacts (like animal bones or charcoal), using both traditional methods and digital recording tools.
Data Management: Record and manage field data using notebooks, cameras, and computers, and understand how to organize large datasets for research.
Scientific Thinking: Strengthen your ability to observe carefully, ask questions, and connect daily findings to bigger research goals – skills at the heart of scientific inquiry.
Teamwork & Leadership: Work as part of a close-knit team, collaborating on tasks and solving problems together. You’ll practice communication, project management, and leadership in an outdoor research setting.
Cross-Cultural Competence: Live and work in a multicultural group, gaining confidence in navigating new environments, respecting diverse perspectives, and conducting research abroad.
These skills go far beyond archaeology – they’re transferable to any field that values critical thinking, data handling, collaboration, and adaptability. Whether you continue in anthropology or pursue another path, your time at Boomplaas will prepare you for complex challenges and teamwork in the real world.
Despite its remote-sounding location, the Boomplaas field site offers comfortable living and full support, so you can focus on learning and discovery. Students stay in a safe, clean field camp with modern amenities. You’ll share either single or double rooms equipped with reliable electricity, hot running water, and flush bathrooms – a refreshing end to each day in the field! High-speed Wi-Fi and cell phone reception are available, allowing you to stay connected with family or work on digital assignments from camp.
A dedicated field laboratory and classroom space is on site, where we conduct lectures, workshops, and artifact analysis. This means the learning continues seamlessly when you’re not actively digging – you might be examining finds under a microscope or inputting data on laptops in a comfortable indoor setting.
Hearty meals are provided to keep you energized: a local catering team prepares breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily (and yes, they can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary needs). Enjoy South African favorites and international fare alike – sharing meals as a group is another great opportunity to bond and exchange stories each day.
For additional peace of mind, the field camp is conveniently located near resources. The town of Oudtshoorn is just a short drive away, offering pharmacies, medical clinics, and even a hospital in case anyone needs health care or just a resupply of snacks. Major travel hubs aren’t far either – the regional airport in George connects you easily to Cape Town or Johannesburg. Rest assured, comprehensive safety and logistical plans are in place, built on six years of successful student field seasons at Boomplaas. You’ll be in good hands from the moment you arrive in South Africa to the day you leave, with an experienced team that knows the area and has long-standing local partnerships.
Dates: 10 May - 13 June 2025
Eligibility: Undergraduate or graduate students currently enrolled in anthropology, archaeology, environmental science, geology, or related programs are given preference; other disciplines are welcome to apply.
How do I apply?: APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED FOR THE 2025 CYCLE
The Boomplaas project is committed to providing a safe and fair working environment and will provide all technical personal protective equipment (NOT basic clothing) necessary for participation. The project is committed to offering a harassment free workplace and a professional but informal working and living environment. We do not discriminate participants based on age, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, ethnic/racial background, or political identity.
In 2023, the project collaborated with the Leakey Foundation on a student-centered initiative that emphasized experiential learning and public engagement. As part of this collaboration, students at the field site actively documented their daily activities, providing detailed accounts of excavation processes, research findings, and life in the field. These reflections not only enriched their learning experience but also offered the public and academic audiences valuable insight into the day-to-day realities of archaeological fieldwork.
To broaden the scope and potential for archaeological outreach and youth engagement, we have collaborated with award-winning science communication specialists Jive Media Africa (https://jivemedia.co.za) to design, draft, print, and disseminate a series of colour comic books on archaeology in English and isiXhosa.
Contact Dr. Justin Pargeter (justin.pargeter@nyu.edu) for more information.
