PROSPECT, MAINE -- The Friends of Fort Knox Board of Directors has approved awarding scholarships for students wishing to attend their archaeology field school, at Fort Knox, Monday, Friday, August 3rd through the 7th. These will be partial scholarships that will cover some of the $350 tuition cost for the school.

The field school will continue a dig on a foundation that was begun last summer.

The first dig revealed that the foundation likely served as a residence during the late 1700s before being transformed into a blacksmith shop during Fort construction during the period of 1844 through 1869. Some of the artifacts unearthed during the first school included padlocks, crockery, dishware, nails, tools and material related to blacksmithing.

Prior to last year's field school there had been little archeological work done on the Fort Knox State Historic Site. The Friends' believe that the additional discovery of archaeological artifacts opens up possibilities for public education as well as understanding how the Fort was built and how it functioned.

The field school will be led by professional archaeologist, Peter Morrison, of Crane and Morrison Archaeology, Freeport, Maine. Students will learn basic archaeology skills, the history of Fort Knox and Third-System coastal fortifications.

Scholarship applications may be found on the Friends of Fort Knox web site under events or at the Friends' office in the Visitor Center. Students should be at least 16 years of age or accompanied by an adult.

Contact: Leon Seymour
469-6553