Students of the I DIG UCI program journey into Bonita Camp to learn and apply the very same techniques used by many working archaeologists in the field today. Under the guidance of professor Straughn, the goal is to give students real hands-on experience, allowing for both academic and interpersonal growth. As students learn to apply what is only discussed in preliminary archeological courses, each student is encouraged to learn from one another and make mistakes. Now and then, students find artifacts that bring further insight into the site's long history, simultaneously relieving them of their laborious sessions. What will they find next! Come look at their work. 

Processing and cataloging the finds from our archaeological investigations is a crucial component of fieldwork. Student are involved in all aspects of collection management, artifact conservation, as well as the display and research of the materials collected from our excavations and surveys. 

Learn more about the existing structures, some of the oldest on UCI campus. Explore the different phases of occupation that have occurred since settlers appropriated these lands from indigenous communities in order to engage in agriculture, cattle ranching, housing workers, teaching school children, and training the next generation of archaeologists.