Archeology of Firearms 2024

NOTE: Registration is on hold for the time being. This event has been rescheduled for November 2024

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The National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT), the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, and the Sponsors are hosting a 4-day training workshop on the Archeology of Firearms: Insights into the Human Past and Identification and Safe Handling of Ammunition. The workshop will be held November 18-21, 2024, at the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, Springfield, MA basement conference room.

Co-Sponsors:

The Friends of Springfield Armory National Historic Site, Roger Johnson, atneyak@aol.com

Cane River National Heritage Area, Inc., Jessica Mullican, jessica@canerivernha.org

POC: Questions, comments, etc., Tad Britt, (318) 521-5641, Tad_Britt@nps.gov

Dates:

The workshop has been rescheduled from May 6-9, 2024, to November 18-21, 2024.

Location:

Springfield Armory NHS, 1 Armory Square, MA 01105. The workshop will be held in the Springfield Armory basement conference room. Springfield Armory National Historic Site

Archeology of Firearms:

Over the past several centuries, firearms technology burst onto world history. Guns brought about massive changes in the scope and nature of human conflict and subsistence practices. Firearms dramatically altered economic adjustments and behavioral patterns across the world. Firearms became distinctive elements of regional material culture. It is not surprising that gun parts and ammunition are nearly ubiquitous in North American historical archeological assemblages. With thoughtful consideration, archeological residues of firearms usage can provide insights into the human past.

Objectives:

This workshop is being offered to discuss and demonstrate methods for studying firearms, firearm parts and ammunition components found in archeological contexts. The archeology of firearms refers to the information, analytical techniques, and conceptual approaches that archeologists can use to understand the material residues of guns and use them to investigate important human behaviors that involved firearms use. Workshop components will include important information on the identification and safe handling of small arms and artillery ammunition, and when to call in EOD experts.

Activities:

Range safety, responsibility, and behavior; blank firing of flintlock, percussion, and cartridge firearms; hands-on interpretation of gun parts assemblages; identification of bullets and cartridge cases exercise; and "Museum Moments" with the Springfield curator.

Instructors:

· Douglas D. Scott, Colorado Mesa University, ddscott@coloradomesa.edu

· Peter Bleed, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, emeritus, peterbleed1315@gmail.com

· Joel Bohy, Bruneau Auctions, joel@bruneauandco.com

· Janene Johnston, Jamestown Rediscovery, jjohnston@preservationvirginia.org

· Tom Gersbeck, USMC ret. EOD, tom212021@outlook.com

· Dan Elliott, Lamar Institute, dantelliott@gmail.com

· Susan Ashman, Springfield Armory National Historic Site, range instructor, susan_ashman@nps.gov

· Alexander MacKenzie, Springfield Armory National Historic Site, alex_mackenzie@nps.gov

Technologies:

o Radiography

o pXRF

o Metal detecting strategies

o Bore scopes

o Microscopes

o Presumptive lead tests

o A toolkit will be provided to all participants

-Calipers

-Weight scale

-Magnifying headset

Transportation and Lodging:

Participants will provide their own transportation to and from the Springfield Armory National Historic Park. Carpooling is encouraged. NCPTT will have vehicle to assist with transport. Please call Tad at (318) 521-5641 to discuss arrangements.

Air Traffic: Bradley International Airport Rail: Springfield Station, Amtrak

Group lodging rates are available at the following link

https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/find-hotels/select-roomrate?fromRedirect=true&qSrt=sBR&qIta=99801505&icdv=99801505&qSlH=SPFEZ&qCiD=17&qCiMy=102024&qCoD=22&qCoMy=102024&qGrpCd=AOF&setPMCookies=true&qSHBrC=EX&qDest=145%20State%20Street,%20Springfield,%20MA,%20US&srb_u=1&qChAge=&qRmFltr=

Food:

Meals will be the responsibility of the participants. Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of Springfield Armory National Historic Site.

Participants:

May include archeologists, scientists, curators, historians, and museum specialists from federal, state, and local governments; Tribal nations, CRM consultants; professors and students; and international cultural resource personnel with responsibilities concerning the identification, evaluation, and preservation of archeological and other cultural resources.

Workshop Registration Fees:

Regular: $700.00 Students: $350.00 (with a valid ID). Scholarships may be available. Inquiries should be sent to tad_britt@nps.gov Once registration is active, link will appear here.

Continuing education credits: Registered Professional Archeologists will receive 32 hrs. of CE credits upon completion of the course.

Deadline to Register:

Monday, November 11, 2024, by 5:00 pm EDT. This is one week before the workshop start date.

Workshop Cancellation Policy:
Since workshops and conferences fill quickly, please sign up as early as possible. If you need to withdraw from an event, you must contact the organizers via email (Tad_Britt@nps.gov). Cancellations more than 30 days prior to an event will be fully refunded less a $30 administrative fee. No refunds will be available for cancellations within 30 days of the event, but funds may be credited towards a future NCPTT event. If the sponsors must cancel an event, you may choose a full refund of the registration fee or a credit for a NCPTT event.

Reasonable Accommodations Requests:
In accordance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (amended), the National Park Service will provide reasonable accommodation for the known physical and intellectual limitations of qualified employees and applicants with a disability unless the accommodation imposes an undue hardship on the agency. We're committed to providing access to this training for all participants. If you need reasonable accommodations, please contact Tad Britt via email or phone. Their contact info is below. We need 10 business days advance notice before the deadline to communicate your needs.