University of Idaho Students Dig Into Local History

Archaeology students are uncovering artifacts from an 1890 school building beneath local sites in Moscow.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Language Learning

Gouache-painted editorial illustration of an inkwell, ceramic shards, and iron tools resting on damp soil, depicting historical archaeological artifacts. — University of Idaho anthropology students are unearthing 1890s artifacts at archaeological dig sites throughout the city of Moscow. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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University of Idaho anthropology students are conducting archaeological digs at Moscow High School and the local public library. The participants are unearthing remains of an 1890 school building and various historical artifacts.

Why it matters

The program offers students a cost-effective, local alternative to traditional field schools that can cost up to $10,000. It also connects the local community with its own regional history through public-facing archaeology.

The fall 2026 excavation involves 25 undergraduates and 5 graduate students digging three days per week. The project team is exploring sites linked to an 1890 school building and a public library area.

The players

University of Idaho

This is a public research university that oversees the anthropology department and the local public archaeology program.

Moscow High School

This educational institution serves as the primary site for ongoing archaeological research and student field training.

The details

Participants are utilizing the flotation process to separate historical materials, such as bookbinding supplies and ink pads, from soil samples. Students lead public tours of the excavations while gaining hands-on experience in archaeological fieldwork.

The original school building was constructed in 1890.
The current Moscow High School main building was constructed in the 1930s.
The public archaeology initiative expanded from work that began in Boise in 2012.
The first University of Idaho archaeological dig at the high school occurred in 2019.
Multi-week excavation sessions are currently taking place in the fall of 2026.

Culture Shift

This project reflects a broader shift in academic anthropology toward public-oriented archaeology that democratizes research participation. By moving away from exclusive, expensive remote field schools, the program makes historical preservation an accessible community activity.

Residents can witness the archaeological process firsthand through the tours provided by students at the Moscow High School and public library sites. This effort offers a unique chance for the community to engage directly with the historical remnants found beneath their streets.

The takeaway

The project demonstrates that significant historical discovery does not require expensive travel to distant locations. Students gain valuable professional skills while residents enjoy a deeper understanding of the history hidden beneath their own neighborhood.

What happens next

Students are scheduled to participate in a lab course during the upcoming term to analyze the various artifacts unearthed throughout the fall 2026 digging sessions.