Advanced Metal Detecting for the Archaeologist (AMDA) will present its 17th class offering at the Bates County Museum in Butler, Missouri October 13-15, 2023. Dr. Ann Raab and the Bates County Museum are the local partners for this class.
Bates County, Missouri was at the epicenter of the Missouri/Kansas Border war, which raged for years before the Civil War even began. The Bates County Museum sits on land that most certainly was deeply affected by this violence, but the use of the land prior to the 20th century is unclear. The current Museum structure was originally the County Poor Farm, starting in 1915, and it later was used as a nursing home. Preliminary research on the grounds has uncovered intriguing 19th century remains, unconnected to these later structures and uses. Further research is needed to help determine how this land was used during the 19th century, as well as further illuminate what life was like for those living in the Poor Farm in the early 20th century.
AMDA is certified under the Register of Professional Archaeologists continuing professional education
program. The goal of the class is to provide professional archaeologists with an understanding of current
best practices in metal detecting and to provide the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with a variety
of devices from a variety of manufacturers.
The course is offered as 24-credits. There are 8 hours of classroom work and the field portion is 16 hours.
Fees will be $375.00 for 24 credits. At this class, both the classroom instruction and the fieldwork will be
at the Bate County Museum in Butler, Missouri.
The field sessions will contribute to ongoing research on Dr. Ann Raab’s Civil War Era Burnt District.
Class size is limited to 25. Registration closes 20 September 2023.
Click here to download the AMDA Butler Registration Form
The AMDA training will be held at the Bates County Museum, 802 Elks Dr. Butler, MO 64730
If you have any questions or need further information about AMDA, please contact:
Jo Balicki at AMDAinstruction@gmail.com
