2027 Field Research Program

Interested? New application materials, forms, and the updated information guide will become available in January 2027.

Field Season 2027 Volunteer Schedule

The 2027 field season is expected to run roughly May 30 - August 21, 2027. Final dates, session details, and arrival information are TBD.

Overview

For more than 50 years, the Lubbock Lake Landmark Regional Research Program has conducted summer field research on the Southern High Plains of Texas. Each summer, volunteers from around the world join our professional staff to help uncover the region’s deep history through archaeology, geology, and paleontology.

The work is exciting, challenging, and rewarding. Field conditions are rigorous—expect hot, dry, and dusty weather, long days outdoors, and hands-on work in excavation units and labs. Volunteers should be physically prepared and ready to work as part of a close team.

In return, participants gain practical experience in real research. You’ll learn how scientists investigate ancient environments and past human life through excavation, mapping, and lab analysis—all while contributing to one of the longest-running continuous field programs in North America.

Cost

There is no cost; room and board are provided.

Where We Work

The Lubbock Lake Landmark

The Lubbock Lake Landmark is a nationally recognized archaeological and natural history preserve located in Lubbock, Texas. Research here focuses on how people and environments have interacted over the last 12,000 years. Excavations at the Landmark uncover the remains of ancient campsites, animal bones, hearths, and tools that tell the story of how humans adapted to changing climates and landscapes on the Southern High Plains.

Post Research Area

About an hour southeast of Lubbock lies the Post Research Area, a large working ranch that has been preserved with minimal disturbance for more than a century. This ranchland offers a rare glimpse of how people and animals used this landscape over thousands of years.

Slaton Research Area

The Slaton Research Area is located between the Post Research Area and the Lubbock Lake Landmark. The Slaton Research Area is another historic ranch that also provides significant research opportunities in both prehistoric and historic archaeology.

What to Expect

• Outdoor fieldwork in hot, dry, and often windy conditions
• Hands-on excavation and survey under professional supervision
• Team-based work with students, researchers, and volunteers from around the world
• Basic laboratory activities such as washing and sorting