Training

Special Note: As Covid is still present we are still taking precautions in class. Dr. Abbass and the other instructors are vaccinated, boosted, and careful about masking and distancing. Class prices vary, depending on materials and class length (3 hours to 2 days).

IMPORTANT INFORMATION – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

• All trainees must be RIMAP members. If you are not currently a member, you can purchase a membership at the same time as you make payment for the class/es.

• All classes to be held at the RIMAP artifact management facility, Herreshoff Marine Museum on Burnside Streets, Bristol, RI. The lab is on the 3rd floor of an industrial building across from the main museum exhibit area - great view but sorry, no elevator.

• Pre-registration is required a minimum of 3 days in advance of each class. Classes without enough students are sometimes canceled.

• To register, please print the APPLICATION FORM, complete it, and email it back to us at rhodeislandmap@yahoo.com. If you are unable to email it back, please send us an email listing the classes you are interested in, to the above email address. Payment instructions are given on the registration form.

• To Register by Snail Mail: Please download the APPLICATION FORM and send it with a check (made out to RIMAP) to Box 1492, Newport, RI 02840. Registration confirmation will include details and a map.

• Covid safety: You must mask and social distance if you are not vaccinated, but the training space is well ventilated. All RIMAP trainees must show no Covid symptoms.

• If you have any questions - please complete the ‘contact form’ at the bottom of this page, and we will reply as soon as we can. Thank you.

RIMAP TRAINING APPLICATION

2023 TRAINING SCHEDULE TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON.

2022 TRAINING CLASSES LISTED BELOW FOR REFERENCE ONLY.

Sunday May 1 (9-12) - Basic Artifact Management ($50): Instructor, Kathy Abbass, Ph.D. How artifacts are taken into study collections from archaeological excavations, including proper paperwork tracking, photography, 3-D imaging, and simple conservation. Also the basics of artifact identification and site interpretation using archaeological data from artifact and samples. RIMAP lab team members will also assist in the hands-on training.

Sunday May 1 (1-4) - Archaeology of the Classical Mediterranean ($50): Instructor Peter Nulton, Ph.D. The archaeological study of Greek and Roman civilizations from @ 800 BCE to 400 CE. Peter discusses how archaeological studies enhance the standard understanding of Greek and Roman civilization that is usually based entirely on textual sources and how the field is changing in response to 21st-century archaeological issues.

Saturday May 7 (9-4) - Introduction to Marine Archaeology ($100): Instructor Kathy Abbass. Describes how marine archaeologists work, including remote sensing, field methods, legal issues, field documentation. Includes RIMAP protocols, past research results, and future plans. This class is required for RIMAP volunteer participation.

Sunday May 8 (9-12) - Museums, Preserves, and Sharing Shipwrecks ($50): Instructor Joy Elvin, M.A. Interpreting submerged cultural resources to enjoy our underwater heritage using examples from around the world. How underwater parks and marine preserves protect fragile historic resources and enhance the public's interest in our maritime past, and the possibility for similar programs in Rhode Island.

Sunday May 8 (9-12) - Museums, Preserves, and Sharing Shipwrecks ($50): Instructor Joy Elvin, M.A. Interpreting submerged cultural resources to enjoy our underwater heritage using examples from around the world. How underwater parks and marine preserves protect fragile historic resources and enhance the public's interest in our maritime past, and the possibility for similar programs in Rhode Island.

Sunday May 8 (1-4) Rhode Island in the Revolution ($50): Instructor Kathy Abbass. Why RI was pivotal to Patriot success in the Revolution, what happened here, and who was involved. Raids on land, conflicts on the water, and how divided loyalties of the local population (British sympathizers and Patriots supporting the American cause) sometimes fractured families. Special information about Revolutionary War locations and those now open to the public.

Saturday May 14 (9-12) Ship Construction for Archaeologists ($50): Instructor Kathy Abbass. What marine archaeologists need to know about how boats are built to interpret historic shipwreck sites. Describes various types of watercraft found throughout time and around the world, and how these structures are the most complex machines built by man, and the European ship building traditions of RIMAP's archaeological shipwreck studies.

Saturday May 14 (1-4) Anchor Studies: What You Should Know About Historic Anchors, Grapnels, and Grappling Irons ($50): Instructor Joseph W. Zarzynski, M.A.  The workshop presenter will give a primer on historic anchors, grapnels, and grappling irons from prehistory into the late 19th century.  Moreover, the workshop will address techniques in measuring and documenting these marine artifacts as well as how to assess their physical conditions for historic preservation purposes.   

Sunday May 15 (9-12) Measured Drawing for Archaeologists ($50): Instructor Charles Kovach. How to prepare professional-quality drawings of archaeological specimens for general documentation and publication. Recommended for those interested to help with RIMAP's artifact collection. Commercial artist Kovach will lead the students in hands-on drawing exercises.

Sunday May 15 (1-4) Site Mapping ($50): Instructor Kathy Abbass. Leads students in how to collect and interpret archaeological data. It introduces the selection of a site datum, installation of baselines, linear, circular, and pendulum searches. Introduces the installation of grids and drawing from them. Both Site Mapping classes demonstrate how to interpret field data and create simple site maps. This is also a practicum recommended for those who participate in RIMAP fieldwork.

Saturday May 21 (9-12) Archaeology and the Media ($50): Instructor Tim Labonte and Kathy Abbass. What archaeologists need to know about the business of working with the media, and what the public needs to know about the interpretation of archaeological research as shown by the media. Owner of Stand Still Pictures, Labonte is a two time Emmy nominated and Associated Press Award winning producer and has created all RIMAP documentaries and short videos.

Saturday May 21 (1-4) Capt. Cook's Men and Ships in Rhode Island ($50): Instructor Kathy Abbass. The man, his ship, European exploration, the American Revolution, and how all those come together in Rhode Island. Dr. Abbass will review the other ships associated with the great explorer, plus the many men who sailed with him, especially those found their ways to Rhode Island. Capt. Cook's story resonates in modern media and is the Star Trek origin myth.

Saturday May 22 (9-4) - Introduction to Marine Archaeology ($100): Second offering

Questions? Please complete the ‘contact form’ below, and we will reply as soon as we can. Thank you.