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Weekly Progress
Week 1 (9/14/11)
There were two main goals for today. The first was to set up the site,
which included taking elevations, clearing the ground of pinecones and
sticks, setting up a fence around the site, and photographing the
trenches. The second was to clear the grass and other debris from our
assigned trenches. Both of these goals were accomplished and a few
trenches even began excavating a 3 cm layer. There was a threat of rain,
but the only adverse condition encountered today was the wind. It was
hard to screen when the wind kicked up due to the fact that we began to
get dirt in our eyes and mouths. However, there were a few artifacts
found today (all artifacts were found in the 300 layer – ground level).
Trench 301a uncovered a red plastic object (still in the ground), trench
301b uncovered cotton and two shiny shell like
objects (hasn’t been determined if they are man-made or not), and 301c
uncovered three pieces of glass (2 brown, 1 clear, and 1 greenish blue).
The only artifact discovered by screening was a piece of clear glass
found in the dirt from 303b. We have had an excellent start to our
excavation and can only hope that as we continue the dig we find
artifacts dating back to Tin City.
Week 2 (9/21/11)
Wednesday, 9/21/11, was an exciting day at the Tin
City excavation. The site was chosen based on the GIS mapping
system. The excavation should be directly over one of the housing
units that has not been disturbed by campus construction. This
theory was confirmed rather quickly as part of the units floor was
uncovered in trench 301b after about one centimeter of dirt had been
removed from the West corner (17cm from the west and 37.5cm from the
south). The piece measured to be approximately 2cm by1cm. Another
piece of the floor (2cm by 1cm) and a piece of brick, less than a
centimeter, was uncovered in the same trench. Small pebbles were
found in the majority of the other trenches that are smooth and
rounded. Two rough edged stones were uncovered in Trench 301a
measuring between 2 and 3cm. The weather was fair and the dirt was
easily excavated. There was a tremendous amount of worms and it took
time to clear the dirt. However, more artifacts suggesting that this
is, in fact, one of the units have been uncovered. Trench 301a found
two possible candy wrappers, one foil and one plastic. Trench 301c
found more glass consisting of 1 brown piece and 1 clear piece that
looks like it could be from a cup. Trench 303b has come across some
black hard material and trench 303c found two small pieces of a
rusted nail. Trench 301c found three pieces of hard plastic (one
green, one red, and one transparent). This was a productive day and
the chosen site shows great promise as the dig progresses.
Parents'
Weekend (9/24/11)
Today
excavation was slowed down because we had to bail out the trenches due
to excessive rain. However, after about 15 to 20 minutes, we were able
to begin. Some pieces of brick and glass were found as well as a
possible piece of metal or graphite (from a pencil) was uncovered. The
progress was slow as the rain continued to fall and water dripped off
from the tree leaves. The soil turned into thick mud that was extremely
difficult to sift and took around 10 to 15 minutes to complete one
bucket. Many people were still suffering from poison ivy, from a
previous excursion, and all around it was problematic.
Week 3
(9/28/11)
Tin City is beginning to pick up. On September 28th 2011
there were many new discoveries. Trench 301a uncovered a possible piece
of counter top and a red plastic object that has not been fully
identified, however an interpretation is that it is part of a car
taillight. Trench 301b began to uncover brick, as did trenches 301c,
301d, 303b, and 303c. These pieces vary in size from small to large to
actual chunks of brick. Brick and pebbles have been abundant finds all
over the dig site. Except for in trench 301a which has found only one
small piece of brick and few pebbles (most pebbles found are relatively
small compared to all others and are of differing shapes). Trench 301c
found more glass and has begun to pedestal more objects for further
excavation. Trench 303b found a piece of paper with numbers on it (this
appeared recent and could be from a wrapper). Trench 303c found a chip
of a letter bead (the letter A) found at 193.5 cm east, 73 cm north, and
4 cm down. The weather was pleasing and other than an increased amount
of pebbles in trench 303c and the appearance of tough clay nodules the
conditions were good. There are a few interpretations trench 301a
believes that that trench may have been a kitchen area. Evidence for
this is two candy wrappers, a piece of tile, and the lack of pebbles and
brick. Trench 301c believes they are excavating a possible dump area or
a social site as there is an abundance of glass of varying colors.
Week 4 (10/5/11)
Excavation today was accompanied by coring and
learning to view a landscape as an archaeologist. Each group was taken
aside and taught how to core. This technique involves putting a corer
(long metal object) and twisting it into the ground and pulling up a
cylinder of dirt. We hand sifted this dirt on a plastic sheet and then
returned it to the ground. No artifacts were bagged. To view the
landscape groups were taken to an area by Moore Hall where an electrical
line is being laid. Dirt in this area has been disturbed and made into a
small mound. The dirt closest to the road was hard and few artifacts
were found. However the dirt closest to the dormitory was soft and
brick, concrete, and black pieces (unsure exactly what they are) were
uncovered. This is similar to what is being found at the Tin City site
which is close by. During excavation today trench 301a uncovered
multiple pieces of a white substance that could possibly chalk, a pink
piece (unidentifiable but possibly rock or chalk), another candy wrapper
(this one purple and possibly from a Starburst), and a black piece that
is rough on one side. Trench 301d has a medium sized brick in the next
layer and uncovered many pebbles. Trench 303b found brick and a button
with a red string attached. Trench 303c found a small piece of brick,
white plastic, and a piece of clear glass. It was also discovered that
trench 301a has a different type of soil than the other trenches. What
is even more interesting is that this difference in soil occurs exactly
where trench 301a and trench 301b are divided. Trench 301a has soft and
moist soil (more moist compared to the other trenches). However, trench
301a has begun to uncover pebbles similar to all other trenches. Today’s
adverse condition was dry and hard soil. The screening was slightly
difficult due to the dry clumps of dirt, but overall it was fine.
Week 5 (10/12/11)
Today we continued excavating
our trenches and also learned how to map a trench, using trench 303a (an
instructor trench).
During
excavation trench 301a uncovered a piece of hard plastic and a few
pieces of soft plastic that looked like they were broken off of each
other. Currently a delicate object
that has a slight curved shape is being
pedestaled. The object has been staining the surrounding dirt red almost
to the color of brick.
Trench 301b uncovered a piece of black
plastic or rubber (it is undetermined which) at 87cm from the west 20cm
from the north it was about 3x2 cm. Two pieces of concrete were also
found. One while screening which was approximately 2x2 cm and another at
94cm from the west 37cm from the north which was 4x2 cm. Trench 301c has
been encountering parts of a black substance that is thought to be black
material and has also uncovered a rock like object that is smooth and
brownish and appears to have come from a larger object. Trench 301d
found two pieces of plastic that appear to be some type of border and a
few pieces of brick. Trench 303c found a few pieces of brick and plastic
as well as a floss-like string material. The dirt was dryer than last
week and presented some problems. However it rained directly after we
cleaned up the dig site so next week should produce softer soil. We have
experienced the main types of soil during this excavation: soft, soaked
and water logged, and dry.
Week 6 (10/19/11)
Today there were two exciting
and prominent finds. The first is the bottom of an Evansville Coke
bottle found in trench 301d. This is the first and only properly
excavated Evansville Coke bottle. There was one other piece previously
found but it was out of context as it was part of a trash heap. This
artifact was photographed and measured before it was removed. The second
find was an iron object found in trench 301a. It was incredibly delicate
but when excavated there was a good percentage that remained intact. The
piece is a reddish color and was located at 72cm north and 136cm east.
This artifact was also photographed before removed. Trench 301a also
uncovered a piece of glass. It was rather thick and had a strange shape
that suggests it is neither window nor bottle glass. This is the only
piece of glass found in the trench and was found in association with the
iron piece. One interesting thing about trench 301a is that the first
stratum change of the season was uncovered. About halfway through the
trench at 10cm the soil changes from
5yr2.512e soil (on the Munsell scale) which
is a dark reddish brown color to a light sandish color. This new soil is
the soil that all other trenches have been experiencing from the
beginning. There has still been no determination on why the soil is
different in trench 301a. There was also more pieces of chalk and
plastic wrapper. Trench 301c found clear glass and various pieces of
brick. One interesting artifact is what may be the handle of a teacup.
Trench 303c found another bead with the letter A on it at 72 cm North, 3
cm East, 3 cm down. An interpretation given for this artifact (the
second of its kind) is that a girl of 6-15 lived in the housing unit
that is being excavated.
The goals for today were to continue
excavating and mapping. Today the weather was miserable. It was cold,
rainy, and the wind was blowing. We were all a little preoccupied with
the weather and with how bundled up everyone was it was difficult to
find artifacts. The sifting went better because of the rain, which
caused the dirt to become softer. Next week is our final week digging.
We will be backfilling the trenches.
Week 7 (10/26/11)
The main goal for today was backfilling the trenches. We began by
excavating and cleaning up the floor and sides of our trenches. We
excavated for about 10 to 20 minutes. Even though we excavated for only
a short period of time we found a few artifacts. Trench 301a uncovered a
medium piece of a white chalk like substance that has been found
throughout the trench. Trench 301c found a piece of clear glass and more
bricks fragments. As well as a few charcoal like pieces. These pieces
have been found throughout the site in nearly all the trenches to
varying degrees. Trench 301d found what is possibly a fragment of nail,
but until it is looked at in the lab what it is, is undetermined right
now. Trench 303b found more pieces of brick, which were smaller than a ½
inch. Trench 303c found two small pebbles. We were rained on for about
the first hour or so especially during the period of time in which we
were excavating. While the trees, under which the trenches reside,
provided some coverage it was still cold and windy. We were wet for the
remainder of the time, but good spirits seemed to be present in
everyone. We backfilled the trenches and laid out a cloth tarp on top of
the trenches so that next year’s group will be able to identify where we
left off. This is especially helpful because each trench is at a
different stage in excavation. All the trash was cleaned up and properly
disposed of and all the equipment properly stored in the lab. Next week
we will be in the lab cleaning and identifying artifacts.
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