Utilizing the rich cultural landscape at Ames the students gain invaluable experience in scientific archaeological methods. Their efforts also enhance our understanding of the material culture present at Ames and bolster our ability to preserve and share the rich cultural heritage found here.
Rhodes students, under the direction of Dr. Kimberly Kasper focus their research on the material culture associated with slavery through the investigation of numerous antebellum plantation homesites including the houses of enslaved African Americans.
Under the direction of Dr. Andrew Mickelson, University of Memphis students are investigating Mississippian period culture and land use at Ames including investigations at a ceremonial mound complex and associated town site. Research is also being conducted on over 30 contemporary prehistoric sites located throughout the Ames land base.
Field School students from Rhodes College excavating the remains of a fireplace and chimney associated with a plantation manor house dating to the 1830’s. Investigations have taken place on three separate plantations ranging from 400 to 5000 acres in size. Over 25 cotton plantations were in operation during the antebellum period on property that is now a part of the Ames AgResearch and Education Center. 
Rhodes students, under the direction of Dr. Kimberly Kasper, uncover the remains of an 1840’s enslaved African American house found on the plantation of Fanny Dickins. The excavation has revealed the house had a dirt floor and no evidence of a fireplace. A layer of dark organic material resulting from the buildings occupation help to define the outline of the house. 
Artifacts such as this collection of brick, ceramics, nails help to tell the story of the lives of those individuals enslaved on the 400-acre farm of Fanny Dickins. Other artifact types found include personal items including smoking pipes and beads along with food remains. 
University of Memphis students excavating post molds within a wall trench. This area represents one of the walls of the Mississippian Period house under investigation. 
Student employing remote sensing to locate prehistoric houses within an area where ceramic material has been surface identified. This technology allows for the location of subsurface cultural features without the need of test excavations. Once areas of interest are identified archaeologists can follow up with traditional archaeological investigation methods. 
Field School students from the University of Memphis, working under the direction of Dr. Andrew Mickelson, excavating a Native American house dating from the Mississippian Period. This particular house is located in the vicinity of the ceremonial mound complex. 
A flotation system is utilized during investigations of both historic and prehistoric sites. Here soil recovered from a site is dumped into the flotation machine where both micro and macro botanical material will be separated and collected for analysis. Botanical material is useful in the identification of plant remains which can aid in understanding plant utilization for food and other purposes. 
Individual artifacts, in this case broken pieces of prehistoric ceramic, are mapped before recovery from this agricultural field. Spatial distribution of artifacts aids in understanding the geographical extent of the site as well as variability of artifact density within the site.