UROP Project

Archaeology, artifact analysis, Plantation history
Jayur-Mehta-1-headshot2023.jpg
Research Mentor: Dr Mehta Jayur Mehta , He
Department, College, Affiliation: Anthropology , Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: jmehta@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 3
Relevant Majors: Anthropology, history, classics, art history, geography
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required:
Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/99362496359
Wed Sept 4 at 10am

Project Description

Students will learn to process, analyze, describe, photograph, and interpret archaeological artifacts recovered from Evergreen Plantation, St John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. Students will learn the history of Evergreen Plantation and use this history to interpret findings excavated in Summer 2021. One student research assistant is needed with a specialty in video editing and composition to compose a short (3 min) documentary of the excavations.
This project describes the daily, lived experiences of free and enslaved people of color who lived at Evergreen Plantation. Excavations were conducted near a church that was used after the Civil War.


Research Tasks: Washing, drawing, and photographing artifacts. Using manuals, guides, and internet searches to classify and interpret archaeological artifacts. Interpreting finds based on the history of Evergreen Plantation. Processing visual media for the excavation documentary. Creating displays of objects from the site.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Excel, patience, task focused

Mentoring Philosophy

I like for students to be independent and self-motivated. What I will provide are ideas and recommendations, which students then need to investigate on their own. I can provide assistance with interpretation and act as an overall supervisor, but I don't like to micro-manage. I expect students to show up on time and regularly according to a schedule. Artifact processing, data management, analysis, and video processing will happen in my labs in the Carraway Building.

Additional Information


Link to Publications

www.evergreensurvey.org, https://campsite.bio/jayur