USD Archeology Field School Returns for 2026
The 2026 Soap Suds Row dig began on May 26!
Twelve students from the University of South Dakota’s Anthropology and Archaeology program are attending their field school at the Bear Butte Creek Historic Preserve. The dig is sponsored by the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission.
This year’s dig was preceded by a survey of the entire Preserve by two student interns and two supervisors. The proposal was written by Brenda Shierts and underwritten by the Albert & Laverne Elliott Foundation.
The dig will conclude by June 11. Dr. Tony Krus from USD is leading the dig with the assistance of USD-Archaeologist-in-Residence Aaron Mayer. Volunteers include Cher Burgess, Logan Lamphere, Brenda Shierts, and Mike Fosha.
This is the fifth season working on Soap Suds Row, where U.S. Army laundresses lived and worked during the time of Old Fort Meade, 1878-1944.
Students will learn how to conduct shovel test pits, use a Trimble GPS, do a survey, excavate and document 1×1 meter units, and clean and process artifacts, among other things.
