(The following article was sequestered by the Patriot from the Editor of The Augustana magazine).

At Augustana University, the caliber of research performed by undergraduate students often rivals graduate-level research. Becker native Sydney Denekamp is following the trend of pursuing extraordinary anthropological research both at Augustana and abroad. 

Denekamp, an anthropology, journalism and Spanish triple major, completed archaeology field school in Catalonia, Spain, during the summer of 2021. She performed excavation, documentation, preservation and datafication of artifacts and features from the 50,000-year-old Neanderthal site of Roca Dels Bous. 

During the 2022 January Interim (J-term), Denekamp studied in Rome, Italy, to experience Roman archaeology up close and learn Italian. In March, she embarked on an anthropology spring break course focused on local indigenous communities in Cameron, Arizona, with six other students.

The latter course was led by Dr. Kristen (KC) Carlson, Augustana professor of anthropology, and was a deep dive into indigenous culture and archaeology in the Southwest through the lens of Native American perspectives.

“My prior experience in anthropology had been very historical because I saw a lot of Neanderthal archaeology in Spain and Roman and medieval archaeology in Italy,” Denekamp said. “I hadn’t been exposed to any American archaeology.”

During the course, the group stayed at Big Hogan, a Navajo owned and operated, off-the-grid bed and breakfast near the Grand Canyon. They volunteered with local indigenous communities and learned about local archaeology, such as how to recognize and record sites. The class also learned about the region’s cultural and geographical history, and heard about current and past life on the reservations from indigenous people. 

Carlson instilled in her students that because the tribes are descendants of the local archaeology, it is important to understand that their indigenous voices are vital to archaeologists’ work and that they should be the ones driving the work.

“From the trip, I got a better idea of what American archaeology is, and how to work with Native Americans in a respectful way that honors their history,” Denekamp said.

For Denekamp, the hands-on anthropological experience she’s gained as an undergraduate student has transpired from the connections she’s made at Augustana. 

“I wouldn’t have gotten where I am without being close to my professors; they care about me,” said Denekamp.

This summer, Denekamp will work alongside Dr. Adrien Hannus, professor of anthropology, in Augustana’s archaeology laboratory and the Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village — performing site surveys and test pits, as well as cultural resource management. Hannus has also mentioned the possibility of Denekamp writing a journal on disc artifacts, allowing her to incorporate her journalism major. 

“I’m excited to work with him,” Denekamp said. “I think he has a lot of knowledge to impart upon me.”