Shimaki international archaeological field school - 2013

Purpose: Archaeological field schools are an effective tool for improving the skills of young scientists. Exchange of experience and expansion of international relations is a primary concern of participating in field schools such as Shimaki. Results: Participating in field schools opens up many possibilities. The program of Siberian Archaeological Field School included webinars and online lectures of organizers of the school Shimaki. It became possibilities as a result of cooperation of Novosibirsk State University with Tokyo Metropolitan University and the Central Washington University. The practice of Field Schools is widely spread in the whole world. From 21 August to 8 September 2013 in the small city Kamishihoro in the center of Hokkaido (Japan) there was organized an archaeological field school «Shimaki-2013». The school was attended by world-renowned scientists, young scientists, PhD-students and undergraduates student from Tokyo Metropolitan University, Meiji University, Keio University, Shizuoka University, the University of Tokyo, Hokkaido University, Central Washington University, University of Leicester, University Paris-1-Pantheon-Sorbonne University, The Australian National University, University of California and Novosibirsk State University. Shimaki is located in the city Kamishihoro, on the Otofuke River. The main purpose of Shimaki excavation is the characterization of the geomorphic setting during its occupation, analyzing foraging land-use patterns and the use of the site, and exploring relationships between the predominately flake reduction technology and presence of blades. All participants were divided into groups including novices and postgraduates. Each group worked on fields divided into Grids. We excavated the living surface under the plow zone in levels of 3 cm deep. The excavator dig quads measured 50  50 cm. Also all the soil was being screened so as not to miss any artifact. Workshops were held on the use of the clinometer (K. Hayashi) and the basics tacheometry (K. Hori). Everyone could also take part in master classes on the description of the stratigraphic section (I. Buvit), the description of archaeological material (K. Terry), and in a sample collection session for thermoluminescent analysis. In addition to excavations the school program included lectures and master classes by leading specialists (M. Izuho, I. Buvit etc.), as well as excursions. The lectures given were devoted to research on the Paleolithic of Hokkaido (M. Izuho) and the Stone Age of Siberia (I. Buvit). There was an interesting sightseeing tour organized along the rivers and bridges in the suburb of Kamishihoro. It allowed the participants to get acquainted with abundance of stone materials. Another excursion was organized to a workshop store processing items from obsidian. All the events made the school highly successful. All the goals and objectives were achieved. As a result, the participants got new contacts and obtained theoretical knowledge as well as practical skills. There has been some agreement achieved on further cooperation (e.g., preparing scientific papers, taking part in the excavations in Russia and Japan). Conclusion: Organization of field schools focused on active integration of young scientists and graduate students promotes fixing theoretical knowledge and practical skills, inspires scientific research and development of new methods the field archaeological research, contributes to acquisition of skills during a thorough and comprehensive study of archaeological sites.