Preservation Archaeology Museum Curation Internship
A collaborative project between Western New Mexico University and Archaeology Southwest
July 6 through August 1, 2026
Applications due April 1, 2026
This summer program trains four participants to work with archaeological museum collections, including cataloging with PastPerfect software, ceramic analysis, digitization, document and photograph handling, and other tasks. Students will focus on collections from the NAN Ranch, a large Classic Mimbres period pueblo in the Mimbres Valley excavated by the Texas A&M University summer archaeological field school from 1978 to 1989 and now housed at the Western New Mexico University (WNMU) Museum.
The program takes place at WNMU in Silver City, New Mexico. Housing and meals are provided for all participants, but the internship is unpaid.
Our program highlights the practice of Preservation Archaeology, which integrates research, education, preservation, and engagement with local communities and stakeholders. We share what we learn throughout the project with the public via local events, blog posts, and other venues. Together, students and staff explore ethically responsible and scientifically rigorous research and curation approaches while making an important collection more available to researchers, Tribal members, and the public.
This project is committed to increasing the diversity of views represented in archaeology and museum studies, including improving communication between specialists and nonprofessionals and between researchers with different backgrounds and training. Students from backgrounds and institutions traditionally underrepresented in archaeology (including small colleges and community colleges) are especially encouraged to apply.
Location and Amenities
Our work takes place at the Western New Mexico University Museum, a newly renovated historic building with classroom, laboratory, and exhibit space on the 83-acre WNMU campus in the town of Silver City. Silver City is located in pine forests at an elevation of 5,895 feet, with just under 10,000 residents and access to outdoor activities, historic sites, and a local arts scene. Housing is provided on the WNMU campus in apartment-style dormitories with private bedrooms/bathrooms and shared living rooms, and a meal plan is provided at the WNMU dining hall.
Museum work will generally take place Monday through Friday. We will take two 1-day field trips on weekends, and other weekend days will be open for interns to explore on their own. We provide transportation during all field trips and required internship activities, and between Silver City and the airport in El Paso, Texas, at the beginning and end of the program. You will not need a car during the program, but may bring one if you want to.
Faculty
Danielle Romero is Director of the WNMU Museum and is the onsite faculty member for the internship program. She received her PhD at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in 2024. She has more than 10 years of field experience in the Southwest, and her research has focused on Mimbres archaeology and archaeological ceramic (pottery) analysis. Prior to her current position, she worked at the Nevada State Historic Preservation Office as a database manager and Section 106 reviewer.
Karen Schollmeyer is a Preservation Archaeologist at Archaeology Southwest who will join the interns for some scheduled activities during the program. She received her PhD in Anthropology from Arizona State University in 2009. Her interests include long-term human-environment interactions; food security and landscape use; and how archaeologists’ long-term insights can be applied to modern issues in conservation and development. She has directed numerous field schools in southwest New Mexico.
Application
The application form is available here (opens/automatically downloads as an MS Word doc). Applications received by April 1, 2026, will receive priority. Application review will begin immediately after that date, and applications will be accepted until the internship is filled. The internship is limited to four participants, who may be undergraduate or graduate students or recent graduates looking for hands-on experience.
Course credit: We may be able to arrange optional course credit through Western New Mexico University. Please check with your advisor about transferring credits to your home university, and contact Dr. Romero (danielle.romero@wnmu.edu) for details if you need course credits.
For general questions, please contact us at danielle.romero@wnmu.edu and karen@archaeologysouthwest.org.
