If you had asked me a year earlier where I would spend spring weekends during my junior year, working on an archeological site wouldn’t have made the list. But by mid-February, I was knee deep in an excavation unit. A pile of broken glass pieces, rusted nails, and burnt pieces of charcoal sat beside my trowel, waiting to be sorted. With each scoop of dirt, I was uncovering history.

I took ANTH 362: Archaeological Field Techniques in the spring of 2025 under the supervision of Dr. Molly Morgan from the Department of Anthropology. We were excavating the historic Varner-Hogg Plantation in Brazoria County, Texas. Enslaved people had once occupied this portion of the plantation, but the structure’s exact use was unclear. Our goal was to learn more about the building and the captive laborers who once lived on the plantation.

While this was a noble goal, our project held an even deeper weight. Many descendants of the enslaved at Varner-Hogg Plantation still lived in the area. For them, archaeology wasn’t just an academic project — it was a way to learn about their ancestry.

While I had learned about the societal importance of archaeology, working in the field solidified how much impact archaeology can have. Through this class, I was able to retell the story of a once voiceless group and create a more nuanced view of a site that had seen so much violence. While this seemed reserved for professionals, there I was as an undergraduate taking part in this important mission.

Although I do not plan to pursue a career in archaeology, this experience gave me invaluable experience and important skills. Archaeology combines scientific analysis with tangible societal impact. Seeing raw data (How many artifacts? What kind? Where were they produced?) transformed into meaningful conclusions about past people is an amazing thing to take part in. These analytical skills carry over into all of my other classes. Additionally, working in the field is hard work. It requires discipline, passion, and attention to detail. These skills have translated into so many other aspects of my life, from my future career as a lawyer to my student organization leadership.

I strongly encourage every undergraduate student to take at least one archaeology class. History is not simply found; it takes the work of archaeologists analyzing artifacts, interviewing people, and reviewing research to understand what happened in the past. Archaeology classes take a critical look at the process of history-making. Who tells the story? What facts get left out of our narratives? I am a better student, leader, and person for embracing these questions.

-Isabella, Hanszen '26 (Published on 3/24/2026)