UF in Ethiopia is a University of Florida International Center study-abroad program in collaboration with SWEAP, the UF Dept. of Anthropology and Center for African Studies. The Program has participated in archaeological investigations led by Dr. Steven Brandt in search of evidence for the origins of ‘modern’ human behavior in SW Ethiopia. Each year, students will the opportunity to earn 14 undergraduate UF/transferable credits offered through the department of anthropology and gain invaluable research experience in multidisciplinary studies ranging from geology and archaeology to ethnoarchaeology, ethnobotany and cultural heritage management.
Students will learn field methods while participating in
1) ongoing archaeological excavations at Mochena Borago, a large stratified rockshelter
with archaeological deposits over 50,000 years in age*
2) surveys of the adjacent Rift Valley
3) field trips to regional places and peoples of interest
In preparation for fieldwork and research, participants will also spend time at UF and the National Museum of Ethiopia learning about African archaeology and history, lithic technology, geology and human evolution, while utilizing the Museum’s extensive archaeological and paleoanthropological collections.
*Brandt,S. et al. 2012 Quaternary International274:38-54; Brandt ,S. et al. 2017 J. Arch Sciences: Reports11:352-369
