Week #1:
Each week students will work alongside Archaeologist, Dr. Talva Jacobson to continue the excavation of a historic stable used to shelter draft horses employed at Medalta Potteries sometime between 1912 and 1954.
Students will learn excavation techniques, site mapping, artifact washing, and interpretation. They will be taught how to engage in field methods using archaeological techniques to recover the material culture and to fully document the process of recovery, while learning how to take samples, record, analyse, and prepare resources for later study and preservation. Students are welcome to participate in all activities at the site and will be rotated daily (or weekly) so everyone has an opportunity to excavate, recover, document, or photograph units, as well as manage the field lab each day.
Students are welcome to register for one, two, or three weeks.
Students registered in multiple weeks will take on leadership roles and deepen their skills through expanded lab work and presentation opportunities.
Addition information, guidelines, and a list of what to bring will be emailed to participants closer to the program start date.
Please Note: The Field School @ Medalta involves moderate to strenuous physical activity, including prolonged standing, walking over uneven terrain, kneeling, bending and being in the sun for long periods of time.
Dates: Monday, July 6–Friday, July 10, 2026
Time: 9:00 am–4:00 pm (Arrive by 8:45 am)
Ages: 16+
Price Per Week: $375 + GST = $393.75 (25% Multi-Week discount will apply automatically)
Registration Deadline: July 29, 2026
Registration for this schedule starts on 02/04/2026 and ends on 06/29/2026
Participants must currently be 16 years or older.
Week #2:
Each week students will work alongside Archaeologist, Dr. Talva Jacobson to continue the excavation of a historic stable used to shelter draft horses employed at Medalta Potteries sometime between 1912 and 1954.
Students will learn excavation techniques, site mapping, artifact washing, and interpretation. They will be taught how to engage in field methods using archaeological techniques to recover the material culture and to fully document the process of recovery, while learning how to take samples, record, analyse, and prepare resources for later study and preservation. Students are welcome to participate in all activities at the site and will be rotated daily (or weekly) so everyone has an opportunity to excavate, recover, document, or photograph units, as well as manage the field lab each day.
Students are welcome to register for one, two, or three weeks.
Students registered in multiple weeks will take on leadership roles and deepen their skills through expanded lab work and presentation opportunities.
Addition information, guidelines, and a list of what to bring will be emailed to participants closer to the program start date.
Please Note: The Field School @ Medalta involves moderate to strenuous physical activity, including prolonged standing, walking over uneven terrain, kneeling, bending and being in the sun for long periods of time.
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Dates: Monday, July 13–Friday, July 17, 2026
Time: 9:00 am–4:00 pm (Arrive by 8:45 am)
Ages: 16+
Price Per Week: $375 + GST = $393.75 (25% Multi-Week discount will apply automatically)
Registration Deadline: July 6, 2026
Registration for this schedule starts on 02/04/2026 and ends on 07/06/2026
Participants must currently be 16 years or older.
Week #3:
Each week students will work alongside Archaeologist, Dr. Talva Jacobson to continue the excavation of a historic stable used to shelter draft horses employed at Medalta Potteries sometime between 1912 and 1954.
Students will learn excavation techniques, site mapping, artifact washing, and interpretation. They will be taught how to engage in field methods using archaeological techniques to recover the material culture and to fully document the process of recovery, while learning how to take samples, record, analyse, and prepare resources for later study and preservation. Students are welcome to participate in all activities at the site and will be rotated daily (or weekly) so everyone has an opportunity to excavate, recover, document, or photograph units, as well as manage the field lab each day.
Students are welcome to register for one, two, or three weeks.
Students registered in multiple weeks will take on leadership roles and deepen their skills through expanded lab work and presentation opportunities.
Addition information, guidelines, and a list of what to bring will be emailed to participants closer to the program start date.
Please Note: The Field School @ Medalta involves moderate to strenuous physical activity, including prolonged standing, walking over uneven terrain, kneeling, bending and being in the sun for long periods of time.
Dates: Monday, July 20–Friday, July 24, 2026
Time: 9:00 am–4:00 pm (Arrive by 8:45 am)
Ages: 16+
Price Per Week: $375 + GST = $393.75 (25% Multi-Week discount will apply automatically)
Registration Deadline: July 13, 2026
Registration for this schedule starts on 02/04/2026 and ends on 07/13/2026
Participants must currently be 16 years or older.
FIELD SCHOOL @ MEDALTA
Hands in the Dirt. History in the Making.
Dig into the past this summer with our Archaeology Field School @ Medalta! Based in the heart of Medicine Hat’s Historic Clay District, this is your chance to uncover real stories, real artifacts, and the industrial heritage that shaped Canada’s ceramic legacy.
Students will be working alongside Archaeologist, Dr. Talva Jacobson, to continue the excavation of a historic stable used to shelter draft horses employed at Medalta sometime between 1912 and 1954.
📅 Dates: July 6–10, July 13–17, July 20–24
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM–4:00 PM daily (Please arrive by 8:45 AM)
👥 Ages: 16+
💵 Cost: $375 (+GST)/week (25% multi-week discount available)
🍱 Lunch: Bring your own. Water and snacks provided.
🏠 Lodging: Accommodation not provided – participants must arrange their own
👕 Swag: Students receive custom water bottles, hats, and a certificate of completion.
Choose your dig!
Register for one, two, or all three weeks. Each week offers student hands-on excavation, site mapping, artifact washing, and story-building. Multi-week students take on leadership roles and deepen their skills through expanded lab work and presentation opportunities. No experience is required.
Please Note: The Field School @ Medalta involves moderate to strenuous physical activity, including prolonged standing, walking over uneven terrain, kneeling, bending and being in the sun for long periods of time.
Spots are limited – don’t wait!
➡️ Discounts:
Are you registering for multiple weeks? You'll automatically receive a 25% discount.
➡️ Refund Policy
Before Registration Deadline: If you cancel by the registration deadline (one week before the start of each week), you will receive a full refund (less a $25 administration fee).
After Registration Deadline: For cancellations after the registration deadline or no-shows, we will be unable to issue any refund. If you need to cancel due to medical reasons (documentation required), a partial refund will be given.
To cancel your registration, please email [email protected].
➡️ Registration Information
To register, please click REGISTER below. You will be asked to create a Jumbula account or to sign into your preexisting account.
Adding a second week? Click the CLICK TO ADD MORE TO YOUR CART button at check out.
Please contact Friends of Medalta Society if you have any questions.