At long last SLCC anthropology students are thrilled with the debut of a new club on campus: The Anthropology and Archaeology Club. Finally, those interested in anthropology and archaeology have a place to meet and share their ideas and experiences.
“The coolest thing about anthropology and archaeology is one- learning about the past, and two- we are hoping to be able to go out and explore the past. Kind of like what Indiana Jones did in those good old movies, but actually doing that here in our college,” club member Michael Armajo said.
The Club’s concept to explore the fields of anthropology and archaeology was unearthed by SLCC student Charles Armajo, who also serves as the President of the Club.
“Archaeology is my major field and what got me into it (the club) was the President, Charles; he wanted to start up the club,” Club Co-Advisor Prof. Alan Griffiths said.
Griffiths, an SLCC Anthropology Adjunct Professor, teaches classes in both anthropology and archaeology. He also works with members of the club on projects such as land surveying, collecting different soil and ground layer samples around campus, and interpreting the data found.
Daughter to Club President Charles Armajo is psychology major Amber Armajo, who recalls early childhood memories of rock excavating trips.
“As a family, we used to go out doing it ourselves because it was fun. He taught us to go rock hunting when we were little,” Amber said.
Additionally, the Club promotes the study of newer as well as older cultures and their traditions. “One of the greatest things about it is people can bring in their own ideas and share it with the rest of the group, like people have brought in their basket weaving techniques, so we were able to practice weaving baskets, which is awesome,” Michael said.
The Anthropology and Archaeology Club holds weekly club meetings in the President’s Room of the SLCC Taylorsville-Redwood Campus’ Student Center on Thursdays from 3 to 4 p.m.
“Every meeting, everyone brings in something you want to show-and-tell about other cultures,” club member Amber said.
Recently, Club Vice President Jordan Myers brought into a meeting some artifacts he had been holding onto and was pleasantly surprised with the results.
“I brought in a bunch of pot shards and flint pieces and by showing them around, we were able to figure out more about what they were, stuff I didn’t know before,” Myers said, an anthropology major.
Plans are in the works to organize a rock excavating trip as well as conducting more experiments on the different layers of the ground. Also, on Thurs. Dec. 2, the group is hosting a bone demonstration led by Prof. Jude Higgins, who teaches Anthropology 1010, 1030, and 2900, during their club meeting.
Additional information on the Anthropology and Archaeology Club can be obtained at weekly club meetings held on Thursdays. More information on programs within the SLCC History and Anthropology Department can be obtained through Dr. John Fritz, the Department’s Chair and who also serves as the Faculty Advisor of the Anthropology and Archaeology Club.