Archaeology of St. Louis

3 units

The Archaeology of St. Louis offers a comprehensive exploration of the rich history and cultural heritage of St. Louis from an archaeological perspective. We will take a deep dive into the archaeological record of the city and its surroundings, beginning from the earliest human occupation of the land that is now St. Louis all the way up to the present. We will consult a range of archaeological, historical, and artistic sources to uncover the city's past, extending from the lifeways of St. Louis' original Indigenous inhabitants to its time as the capital of Upper Louisiana, to its role as the administrative center of Westward expansion during early American Republic, to its hey-day as one of the United States' largest and wealthiest industrial cities, before its subsequent decline and renewal. The course will examine archaeological sites, artifacts, maps, and documents that contribute to our understanding of the city's past and how its history resonates in the present. This course is primarily a reading- and discussion-focused course, with occasional lectures, guest speakers, museum visits, and fieldtrips to local archaeological and historical sites. Overall, this course aims to provide students with an appreciation for the rich layers of history, material culture, and heritage in St. Louis and a greater knowledge of its Indigenous, European, and Black cultural histories.