By Paul Williamson
Out of the smoke they walked, with their weapons of mass earth investigation in hand. They are the true unsung heroes of movies like Apocalypto. They are Archaeologists. Working tirelessly, day after day for little pay, removing dirt a fraction of an inch at a time to depths of several feet, sweating profusely in the hot sun, slapping at ants, ticks, and mosquitoes, the archaeologist’s job is not one for everyone. Archaeologists do their work because they want to preserve the past for all future generations. The archaeologist carefully excavates and records the archaeological record (what people in the past leave behind) and uses the data to reconstruct prehistoric (before the written language) and historic cultures.
There are many highs and lows from day to day in the field. For example, yesterday we found many interesting soil anomalies that are indicative of past human activity (called features), and even a nice, intact projectile point. We have decided to expand the shovel tests with features to create formal excavation units. Today, while completing shovel testing , we tested near the Martin House and found many Native Indian potsherds (broken pieces of pottery). Alas, they were jumbled together with modern glass, roof tile, and a broken piece of brick from the house construction in the 1930’s, rendering them of little value in interpreting the early occupation of the site. Despite the mixed provenience of the artifacts, everyone feels optimistic about the next three weeks of field school.
On Tuesday we will begin excavating the larger units. We all wish for rain to soften up the baked clay ground and help extinguish the raging fires in northern
