Well, Field School started yesterday. Not too much to report on regarding that as of yet. Monday morning was spent in the classroom doing paperwork and covering the basics of what we can expect once we get into the field. Afterwards we had a cookout; something of a "getting acquainted" gathering hosted by the staff. A fine way to begin if you ask me.
Today began with more classroom time. We were introduced to the many recordkeeping forms which we will be using. Following that were lectures presenting us with some historical and cultural background information that relates to our dig site.
After lunch we started practicing with some of the equipment outside on the campus lawn; taking measurements and laying out grids. I didn't take my camera (thinking we were to be in the classroom all day) so missed a good opportunity for photos. However, I will have it with me every day from now on.
We concluded the day by washing artifacts in the Archaeology Lab. That may not sound especially exciting but it is a necessary part of the process. Things need to be cleaned up before they can be processed and analyzed. And, too, that exercise started getting us familiar with the types of materials we will probably find, and their characteristics, so that we can better discern them from naturally occuring materials.
What we will be excavating is a Late Woodland Period site named the Kramer Enclosure. This site, located next to the St. Joe River, has been roughly dated to around 1000-1400AD based upon artifacts found to date. Our research goal is to determine to what degree, and in what manner, this site relates to other sites and cultures found in Central Indiana. I'll talk more about this aspect of the project at a later date.
The site itself consists of a circular earthen embankment, some 300 meters in diameter, surrounded by a ditch. This is the typical layout for this region and time period. However, why this particular layout was employed is still under discussion. Some say it represents defensive fortifications; others that it is a ceremonial/civic center at which dispersed peoples would come together for religious activities or trade. Hopefully this excavation will help further the debate.
Previous surveys of the site suggest that we may find a considerable amount of material remains. Expectations appear somewhat high that we may even find evidence of domestic structures. If so, this would be the first such find in this area for that time period.
Today began with more classroom time. We were introduced to the many recordkeeping forms which we will be using. Following that were lectures presenting us with some historical and cultural background information that relates to our dig site.
After lunch we started practicing with some of the equipment outside on the campus lawn; taking measurements and laying out grids. I didn't take my camera (thinking we were to be in the classroom all day) so missed a good opportunity for photos. However, I will have it with me every day from now on.
We concluded the day by washing artifacts in the Archaeology Lab. That may not sound especially exciting but it is a necessary part of the process. Things need to be cleaned up before they can be processed and analyzed. And, too, that exercise started getting us familiar with the types of materials we will probably find, and their characteristics, so that we can better discern them from naturally occuring materials.
What we will be excavating is a Late Woodland Period site named the Kramer Enclosure. This site, located next to the St. Joe River, has been roughly dated to around 1000-1400AD based upon artifacts found to date. Our research goal is to determine to what degree, and in what manner, this site relates to other sites and cultures found in Central Indiana. I'll talk more about this aspect of the project at a later date.
The site itself consists of a circular earthen embankment, some 300 meters in diameter, surrounded by a ditch. This is the typical layout for this region and time period. However, why this particular layout was employed is still under discussion. Some say it represents defensive fortifications; others that it is a ceremonial/civic center at which dispersed peoples would come together for religious activities or trade. Hopefully this excavation will help further the debate.
Previous surveys of the site suggest that we may find a considerable amount of material remains. Expectations appear somewhat high that we may even find evidence of domestic structures. If so, this would be the first such find in this area for that time period.
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