Geology at Mercyhurst
The Department of Anthropology and Archaeology also
has a special relationship with the Geology Department at Mercyhurst
College. In fact, both are integral interactive parts of the Mercyhurst
Archaeological Institute.
Because of the critical necessity of basic geological
training to the education of undergraduates with an interest in
archaeology, a variety of geology courses are available which
are tailored to meet the needs of archaeology students. Many of
these courses are taught by the Geology faculty, while others
are team-taught between the departments.
Mercyhurst also serves as the principal center for
forensic geoarchaeological studies for various federal agencies
protecting archaeological resources protection act cases. Through
this unique venue, students can actually assist in preparing evidence
to be used in the ongoing war against the illicit vandalization
of America's archaeological heritage.
Students majoring in Geology will be preparing themselves
to take an active role in the utilization of the earth's resources
while protecting it’s fragile environment. Course work involves
hands on use of modern laboratory equipment and extensive projects
out in the field.
The faculty combine the use of small class sizes
and abundant travel opportunities with a commitment to involving
students in ongoing geological projects that involve both local
and far-ranging locales.
Locally the emphasis is on the ice age deposits
and modern coastal processes on the shores of Lake Erie, the folded
sedimentary rocks of the Appalachian Mountains, and the igneous
and metamorphic rocks of nearby Canada. The far-ranging projects
include work with rocks and soils from Texas, the geology of the
Israel coast of the Mediterranean Sea, and coral reefs of Caribbean
sites.
Geoarchaeology is the interface which exists between
the field of geology and the anthropological subdiscipline of
archaeology. Geoarchaeologists use geological techniques to help
locate, excavate, and interpret archaeological sites and materials
and thereby contribute to understanding the physical stage upon
which the actors of antiquity performed.
