Cave Project at Esperanza Elementary School

IGERT Fellow: Josh Reuther

Mentors: Sara Chavarria & Amy Feldman

The Archaeological Sciences IGERT program at the University of Arizona, represented by fellow Josh Reuther, teamed up with Esperanza Elementary School in Tucson, Arizona to sponsor an after-school Art and Archaeology Club in the Fall of 2005. The club's art and archaeology theme revolved around the role art plays in helping archaeologists uncover the hidden stories of the past, especially in the absence of a written record. Students learned about the importance of art and how it communicates information about landscape (animals, plants, weather) as well as the cultural values (ex: architecture, ceremonies, clothing) of the people from the past. They also learned about the processes for choosing, making and using paints, and the students found out what mediums were decorated—such as shell, clay, rocks, and cave walls. This slide show features the Cave Art culminating project.

Learning about Cave Art

A visit by University of Arizona Anthropology Department Head John Olsen.

Looking at design options for the petroglyphs and cave art.

The CAVE - before painting

Let the fun begin!

Esperanza Archaeology Club members are very creative!

Inside we see prehistoric animal figures.

Outside we see petroglyph designs.

Josh Reuther (IGERT fellow and cave builder) overseeing the artists.

Almost done.

Hmm, I spot a . . .

Satisfaction.

Josh, Josh, Sara, and Amy thank everyone who helped make this possible: Wim (the cave frame builder), Thom, Joan, and Iona (Esperanza teachers extraordinaire), Ned (the flintknapper "stone tool maker"), and all the parents and siblings that visited and helped out when they could.