1. Can non-Duke students attend?
2. What classroom background or experience do students need before participating?
3. How much does the program cost, and what is covered?
4. Is there financial aid available?
5. How do students get to South Africa?
6. When do students arrive and depart the United States?
7. Do I need a visa to enter South Africa?
8. Can I stay in Africa after the program?
9. Is it safe to work in South Africa?
10. What language do they speak in South Africa?
11. Where do students live during the field program?
12. How can parents and others reach me during the field school?
13. What is the weather like that time of year?
14. What health information do I need to know?
15. What should students bring to the field school?
16. What is the academic program like?
17. What is the work and classroom schedule like?
18. Is the Duke program affiliated with any South African institutions?
19. Will there be side trips?
20. Will we find fossil hominids?

Can non-Duke students attend?

Yes. The program is open to students from other universities, as long as they are in good academic standing and from an accredited university. Individuals post-baccalaureate, or who have otherwise left their university in good standing are eligible as well, although we cannot accept non-matriculated students.

What classroom background or experience do students need before participating?

The program is open to students of all levels. Students with strong coursework backgrounds in human evolution, biological anthropology or archeology will find this an excellent opportunity to put their knowledge to work while expanding their horizons, gaining field experience, and seeing and working with real fossils. For students with less background, the field school will give you a perspective and experience that will greatly enrich your later coursework - allowing you to relate to material covered in upper level courses in ways that your classmates will not be able to (there is nothing like having seen the fossil sites and the original fossils and having first hand experience in paleoanthropological field work to make lecture material relevant and interesting!). So that students may make the most of their experience in South Africa, we do recommend an introductory course in biological anthropology (at Duke, BAA 93 or 93D) that provides an overview of human evolution. For applicants that have not had such a course, the program director can recommend reading material that will help you prepare for work in South Africa.

Students do not need excavation or fieldwork experience to participate. Each student is paired with an experienced South African excavator while learning proper excavation and recording techniques. We strive to create an environment in which we all learn from one another, and students who do have some practical experience often take a more active role in teaching less experienced students. In past years the student to teacher ratio at the field school has been about 2 to 1 (counting the graduate teaching assistants). If one considers the professional excavators that work with the students, then there are generally more teachers than students, providing an excellent environment for student learning.

How much does the program cost, and what is covered?

Tuition for two lab courses .........$5,744
Program fee*..................................$544
Total Due Duke University** .........$6,288

**Non-Duke students add $40 for a one-time lifetime transcript fee. Total due: $6,328.

*Included in the program fee: accommodations and meals, all scheduled field trips with transportation provided for the group.
See the Study Abroad site for the fee schedule.

The following are not included in the tuition:

Travel costs to/from South Africa: the program tuition does not cover airfare from the program departure city. Flight information may be found below.

Books: the program tuition does not cover books, field journals and study materials for the two courses. The total cost for these materials will be approximately $175.

Spending money: Students may wish to bring money for purchasing gifts, souvenirs, personal items and other miscellaneous expenses. The South African currency is the Rand, and the current exchange rate is 6.20 rand to the dollar. The amount of spending money needed will depend on you. The program covers food, lodging and transport the entire trip, so you will only need money for incidentals, like beverages and snacks while traveling. While the current exchange rate is not as favorable as it has been in past years, South Africa is still a relatively inexpensive country to visit. Students need not bring cash or traveler's cheques to South Africa - it is more convenient to use the readily available cash machines with an existing ATM card and PIN. Exchanging US dollars or traveler's cheques in South Africa requires a bank transaction that must be done during banking hours and that takes up to an hour and half, whereas ATMs are prevalent, always open, and give out Rand (your account at home is debited at the official exchange rate on the day the transaction is posted).

Immunizations: The program tuition does not cover the cost of any immunizations that the student receives for study abroad, or any prescription medicines that a student may wish to take to South Africa for travel related illnesses (such as Cipro). For more information about immunization, please see the heading "Health".

Passport and International Student ID card costs: Students must have a valid passport ($70 application fee for US citizens) and an International Student ID card ($22 card fee).

Is there financial aid available?

For Duke students, undergraduates who receive need-based financial aid during the academic year are eligible to apply for financial aid for up to two Duke summer study abroad programs (and/or summer sessions in Durham) offering either one or two courses of credit. This aid is offered in addition to the eight basic academic year semesters of financial aid. Eligibility for aid will be determined in the same manner as academic year aid. Note: this policy does not apply to a summer abroad program taken prior to matriculation or after graduation from Duke.

Financial Aid information can be found on the Study Abroad site.

Duke does not offer financial aid to non-Duke students. You are advised to consult with the Financial Aid Office at your home institution. In the past students have also had success in asking their respective anthropology departments about funds for student travel.

How do students get to South Africa?

May 20, 2006: SAA Flight 210 Departing from Atlanta, GA at 10:30 AM arriving in Johannesburg at 10:20 AM (+1 day)

June 28, 2006: SAA Flight 1086 Departing from Bloemfontein at 6:10 PM arriving in Cape Town at 7:50 PM.

July 1, 2006: SAA Flight 1522 Departing from Cape Town to Johannesburg at 3:30 PM arriving in Johannesburg at 5:35 PM. This flight connects with:
SAA Flight 209 Departing from Johannesburg at 7:35 PM arriving in Atlanta at 8:20 AM (+1 day)

Airfare for participants from their point of departure and from the US to South Africa, is not covered in the program tuition. This flight is currently listed at $1696 (as of March, 2006). Students may wish to use frequent flier miles to offset the cost of travel to South Africa. South African Airways (SAA) is an Alliance partner with Delta Airlines, and SAA direct flights to and from the US also carry Delta flight numbers (meaning Delta frequent flier miles can be used for these flight). Frequent fliers with other carriers may wish to make their own travel arrangements for getting to and from Johannesburg. While we hope that everyone will be able to travel together on the group flight, we can make arrangements to meet students traveling alone at the airport in Jo'burg. Unfortunately, we cannot pre-book a block of seats for the group flight, so you are encouraged to book early in order to assure that we can travel together on the group flight.

About the carrier: SAA boasts the most modern 747 fleet in the world (average age slightly greater than two years), and is known for maintaining one of the most modern overall fleets in the world. As a carrier flying in and out of the United States, SAA meets and exceeds FAA standards for aircraft maintenance and safety. You can find more information about SAA at their website.

When do students arrive and depart the United States?

Departure from the US will be Saturday, 20 May, 2006. The group flight is SAA Flight 210 departing from Atlanta at 10:30am and arriving in Johannesburg at 10:20am the following day. Students will travel from Bloemfontein on June 28 to Cape Town before returning to the US on 1 July, 2005 on SAA flight 348 from Cape Town. This flight connects with SAA flight 209 in Johannesburg, departing at 7:50 PM arriving in Atlanta at 8:20am the following day (July 2, 2006).

Do I need a visa to enter South Africa?

If you are a US citizen, no visa is required for visiting South Africa for a stay of up to three months. When passing through customs at Johannesburg International Airport indicate to the authorities that you are in South Africa as a visitor. Do NOT indicate that you have come to study, since the passport control people will then require a study visa in your passport. To study in South Africa means that you are registered at a South African university, which field school attendees are not. A regular tourist visa is automatically granted to Americans and Canadians at the airport, and is good for 3 months.

Non-US citizens should check with South African diplomatic representatives (e.g., at the nearest South African embassy or consulate) to determine their visa requirements.

You will need:

• Valid passport: Information about obtaining a US passport can be found at http://travel.state.gov/passport/index.html.
• International Student ID card: Available for Duke students in the Registrar's Office (card fee of $22 payable to the Bursar, after which students may take their photo and Bursar's receipt to the Registrar's Office where the card will be made); Non-Duke students can purchase ID cards at their local Council Travel Agency. Students must provide a copy of their International Student ID card to the Office of Study Abroad before departure.
• Health insurance: students should be covered by appropriate sickness and accident insurance before departure, and are responsible for any and all medical expenses that they incur while traveling in South Africa.

Can I stay in Africa after the program?

Yes, some students choose not to return to the United States with the group, opting instead to take the opportunity for independent travel in South Africa or neighboring countries.

Is it safe to work in South Africa?

South Africa is currently experiencing a high crime rate, principally in large population centers like Johannesburg and Cape Town. Both property crimes and violent crimes have increased markedly in the last decade as South Africa has struggled to meet the social and economic challenges of transitioning to a post-apartheid government and society. All travel entails risk, and while we cannot guarantee the absolute safety of field school participants, we can assure you that student safety is our first priority and that we do everything in our power to minimize the risk of working and living in South Africa. During our occasional visits to Johannesburg we move as a group (students are not allowed to experience Jo'burg individually!) using program vehicles (thus avoiding risky public transportation venues) and we avoid the more dangerous parts of the city. We also rely heavily on the knowledge and experience of our South African hosts in navigating the environs of Jo'burg. In four years of doing field schools in South Africa we have yet to experience a problem, and we strive to keep this record intact!

What language do they speak in South Africa?

South Africa has some 17 official languages, with the predominant ones being English, Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa, Tswana and Sesotho. English is prevalent everywhere, and the field school is conducted in English.

Where do students live during the field program?

Student accommodation will vary by location, but you can expect to be living in a traditional African bush camp - meaning sleeping in a sleeping bag in a tent. In most cases, we will be situated in natural settings in which African wildlife is roaming. This provides us an unparalleled opportunity to experience the bush and learn about African ecology, but it also means that camp safety rules must be faithfully followed.

Students share tents and sleep in sleeping bags on cots or air mattresses. Camp life is "rustic" - be prepared for porta-potties and outdoor showers, although we do have the facility for warming the water and they are fully enclosed, ensuring privacy. Breakfast and dinner are prepared by the field school staff, as are box lunches that we take into the field each day. The meal fare is generally "South African" - meaning lots of meat, but we also prepare special dishes for our vegetarian students. Information about our safari outfitters may be found at African Safaris Ltd.

How can parents and others reach me during the field school?

Students will have very occasional access to telephones and e-mail. Your parents, friends and loved ones should understand that you are traveling and working in Africa, and that communication with you will be infrequent. In case of emergency, your parents can reach us by cell phone at a number that will be provided prior to departure. Bear in mind that South Africa is 6 hours ahead of EST - at noon in Washington DC it is 6 pm. Students will be urged to contact family members during the first week of the program to let them know the best times for calling and any other details. To call the field school cell phone, dial 011 (international call), then the country code for South Africa (27), the area code (76), and the number (531-4197). This is the current 2006 field season phone number. Students are discouraged from making outgoing calls on the cell phone, but will have access to pay phones (which accept credit card calls) and e-mail on occasion.

What is the weather like that time of year?

North American summer is South Africa's winter, although the climate will vary by location. In Gauteng, During May and June temperatures range from the 40s to 80s during the day and can drop below freezing at night. Most buildings lack any kind of heating, so students should bring plenty of warm clothes. A warm sleeping bag is also a must! Gauteng is in a summer-rainfall area, so the winters tend to be clear and dry. Although we do have the occasional rainy day, raingear is not necessary for fieldwork. The very high altitude of Krugersdorp (similar to Denver) means there is less protection against the sun, and sunburns can occur very quickly and very severely. The minimum SPF you should bring is 15, but higher ratings would provide even better protection.

The weather in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Northern Botswana is warmer. The average daily temperature is in the low 80's. Nightime temperatures drop dramatically, averaging around the low 40's. Highs in the 90's and lows at or below freezing have been recorded. The weather tends to be sunny, dry and dusty.

The weather in the Western Cape is cooler and wetter than in Gauteng or Botswana. Temperatures range from the 60s to the 40s, although highs in the 80s and above and lows at or below freezing have been recorded. A significant amount of rain falls in this region during May and June, so rain gear is a required.

What health information do I need to know?

Vaccinations are not required for work in South Africa, although the Duke Student Health Services strongly recommends that you get certain vaccinations before travel. If you did not get a Hepatitis B vaccination when you came to Duke, Student Health Services strongly recommends that you do so before going abroad. The vaccination is a 3-parter, with each shot costing $80 ($20 for Duke students at Pickens). Shots one and two are a month apart, with the last one given six months later. This 3-shot sequence confers immunity for life.

Hepatitis A is also recommended. This is a 2-part series, with one shot now and one within a half year to year. These cost the same as Hep B per shot, and also confer lifetime immunity.

A typhoid booster is also recommended ($46 for a single injection, good for 2 years) and a polio booster if you haven't had one since age 18 (good for life, but booster must be since age 18). Duke's Student Health Services (Pickens) uses an inactivated strain, and the shot costs $26. A tetanus booster may be a good idea if you haven't had one in the past 7 years (since we're working in the field), and the folks at Pickens suggest a flu shot (South Africa is in the year-round flu zone).

If you have been in a yellow fever area in Africa or South America you must have a yellow fever certificate to get into South Africa. They will flip through your passport at immigration, and if they see a stamp from a yellow fever country, they will want to see your yellow fever certificate. To be clear: South Africa is not in a yellow fever zone, so this only applies to you if you have traveled in a country in which yellow fever is endemic. More information may be found on the CDC Website.

A note about malaria: malaria is not endemic in most of South Africa (including Gauteng), thus no anti-malaria precautions need be taken for the majority of our trip. However, malaria is encountered in the low-lying areas of Mpumalanga (the eastern Transvaal and including the Kruger National Park) and Kwa-Zulu Natal, as well as the northern areas of Botswana. Thus we will all need to take anti-malarial medications before, during and after our trip to Botswana. If you are not taking anti-malarial medication, you will not be allowed to accompany us to Botswana. The risk is relatively small throughout the year but is increased in the summer months (October to May). Precautions should be taken by anyone planning on visiting malarial areas. These include wearing long-sleeved shirts after sunset, using repellents containing DEET, and taking chemical prophylaxis (anti-malarial pills).

We will be organising a group appointment in February to the Duke Student Health Services to meet with a travel nurse to discuss the most appropriate course (and vaccine requirements) for each student. For those students from outside of Duke Univeristy, it is strongly recommended that they meet with a travel nurse to discuss their options. Larium, Malarone and Doxicycline all provide protection against Chloroquine-resistant malaria. These medications generally need to be started a week or so in advance of travel to a malarial area. More information on malaria may be found on the CDC Website or from the Duke Travel Clinic at Student Health advisory leaflet.

South Africa has very modern medical facilities, and while we do not anticipate any injuries to crew members during the course of field work, should you get injured we will ensure that you get medical treatment as expediently as possible. We require our crew members to carry their own health insurance, and it is your responsibility to determine ahead of time the proper procedure for making a claim should you become sick or injured in South Africa.

What should students bring to the field school?

General rules for packing:

• Pack lightly!
• Pack lightly!!
• Pack lightly!!!
• Think in terms of layers - rather than one big heavy coat, carry a light jacket plus a sweater or fleece that when worn together are equivalent to a heavier coat. This will help you deal with big changes in daytime temperature and your work effort, and will help you to pack lightly.
• Choose sturdy light clothes for the field (jeans are great!), try to avoid too much military clothing. a light rain jacket will be needed for our time in the Western Cape.
• Laundry service will be provided once a week beginning in the second week.

South African Airlines has a 20 kilogram (44 pounds) total baggage limit. Economy passengers are allowed two checked pieces, the sum of the three dimensions (length, width and breadth) not exceeding 158 cm (61.6 inches) for one piece and 140 cm (54.6 inches) for the other. Carry on is limited to one piece, not more than 7 kilos (15.4 pounds) and total dimension of 115 cm (44.8 inches).

PACKING LIST (click HERE!)

What is the academic program like?

Students enroll for two courses (note for non-Duke students, "one-credit" means one course credit, equivalent to three semester hours):

BAA 102L - Paleoanthropological Field Methods (NS) NS, R. This one-credit laboratory course will be a hands-on program of instruction that will cover methods of maintaining archeological provenance (grid systems, stratigraphic reconstruction, point provenancing techniques, and field recording), use of mapping technology (infrared theodolite and global positioning systems, with an overview of geographic information systems), working with topographic maps and aerial photos, recording of geological profiles, recovery and preparation of fossils, and basic identification of animal fossils and stone tools. This one credit course will be taught by Dr. Lee Berger and qualified faculty assistants. Dr. Berger is an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Biological Anthropology and Anatomy at Duke, and is the director of the Palaeoanthropology Unit for Research and Exploration of the Bernard Price Institute of Palaeontology at the University of the Witwatersrand. All instruction will be conducted in the field.

BAA 101L - Quaternary Prehistory of Southern Africa (NS) NS, R. This one-credit laboratory course will be taught by Dr. Churchill and qualified faculty assistants. Students will attend evening lectures and discussions in the field laboratories. Lecture material will cover the extant fauna and flora of southern Africa, Quaternary fauna and flora, paleoenvironmental reconstruction, MSA archeology, dating methods applicable to the Quaternary, and Quaternary geology. Guest lectures will be incorporated in this course by local archeologists, palynologists and geologists. Students will work with recent and fossil faunal material and with stone tools in the laboratory, and the material covered in this course will be integrated with and reinforce the material in the field methods course.

What is the work and classroom schedule like?

During the week breakfast is served at 7 am, and the vehicles depart for the site at 7:30. Work on-site proceeds from 8 am to 2:30 pm, usually with a morning tea break and a midday lunch break. There will be short lectures or discussions on various topics during lunch breaks. Dinner is served at 6 pm. We will operate a Monday - Friday work week with Sundays for lectures and labs.

Saturdays are "free", and we usually use them to visit nearby game parks or sites of interest, to shop for souvenirs at local markets, or to visit town for e-mail and recreation.

Is the Duke program affiliated with any South African institutions?

The Duke field school works in collaboration with the Palaeoanthropology Unit for Research and Exploration (PURE) of the Bernard Price Institute of Palaeontology (BPI), University of the Witwatersrand. Although not a part of the 2006 program, the field school also works in collaboration with the Florisbad Quaternary Research Center of the National Museum of Bloemfontein. Our South African faculty member for the 2006 program (and previous programs) is Dr. Lee Berger, Director of PURE. In previous programs James Brink, Director of the Florisbad Quaternary Research Center, has also served as faculty. Both Drs. Berger and Brink have adjunct appointments in the Department of Biological Anthropology and Anatomy at Duke University.

Will there be side trips?

This field school is 6 weeks of paleoanthropology. A number of day trips are planned to visit nearby breccia-caves in Gauteng's "hominid valley" (such Swartkrans, Cooper's Cave, Drimolen, etc.), to visit the fossil vaults of the University of the Witwatersrand (Johannesburg) and the Transvaal Museum (Pretoria), to visit geological features of interest, and for game safaris. We hope to spend a couple days exploring Cape Town and the Cape of Good Hope, but this is dependant upon time and finances.

Will we find fossil hominids?

We certainly hope so! Duke students found fossils of early modern Homo sapiens at Plover's Lake in a previous season. Also, students in the 2001 program found 1-2 million year old fossil hominin (Paranthropus robustus) remains at the site of Cooper's Cave. All the sites we will be working at have produced fossil remains, so the possiblity remains open.

Last updated by J. Rhodes 10 May, 2006.