Here I am.
Though at one point we thought the project in Nebraska might run over by a couple of days, it ended right on schedule.
During the first few days there we worked on excavating units on the surface. Once they had been completed we spent the rest of the time working on units within trenches dug by the backhoe. We did have something of a warming spell but the ground still remained frozen for nearly the first 2 feet of its surface. Troy, our backhoe operator, got to have a little fun with getting things ready for us. This will also better show you what we were up against when trying to dig by hand.
Dirt-henge!
During the warmest days we were able to work without resorting to tents and heaters...
... but for the most part we preferred to make use of them.
Now, some explaining is in order before I go any further.
As with the previous 3 sites I had just worked on in Missouri, what we were doing at this site in Nebraska is was what we term a 'Phase II' project. A 'Phase I' project is a simple survey made to determine whether a site exists, or not, at a given location. That had already been done at these places sometime in the past.
We were called in to do Phase IIs because a pipeine is being constructed that will run through these sites. Whatever exists at these sites will be subsequently destroyed as a result. Before that happens we must go in and determine how extensive the site is and what is potentially at risk. During Phase II operations, test units are systematically dug to uncover the nature of what lies there. Based upon what is found, a determination is made as to whether the construction project can go ahead as planned, or not.
The sites in Missouri were found to be relatively minor sites. Nothing of significant value was found at any of them. The conclusion was that further excavation would not yield any new information beyond what is already known about that region, for that time period. Therefore, the pipeline construction can continue as planned without concern of losing something of archaeological value.
The findings in Nebraska were different.
It was touch and go, in regards to what the conclusion would be, right up until the final trench & unit was excavated.
Prior to digging the last unit (shown above) all that had been found were broken fragments of limited value; some ambiguous pottery, a few broken tools, and some animal bone fragments. Nothing about that clearly said that this was a site that had been extensively utilized.
However, this last trench cut into what we call a 'midden,' or prehistoric trash pile or pit. And a rather large one at that. The backhoe exposed only a small fraction of it, we concluded. And the quantity of artifacts we extracted here far exceeded everything else we had collected from all the other units put together; complete animal bones (some burned), intact tools, and diagnostic pottery (meaning, essentially, large decorated pieces). This suggests that there was once a sizeable settlement here and that, given the thickness of the midden, it was inhabited for a lengthy period of time. This, then, is a site that has significant value for future research. There is a high probability that we can learn more about the people that lived here in the past.
And because of that this site has been recommended for "Phase III."
Phase III calls for the full excavation of the entire site so that nothing gets destroyed and all relevant data can be collected for future study. Whether that actually happens or not will be coming up for discussion. If the Phase III work gets approved, such excavation will have to take place before pipeline construction can occur at this location. The alternative is to leave the site as is, and route the pipeline around it. Nobody can say at this point what the final outcome will be.
Anywho, once we were sure we were looking at a Phase III upgrade, our work there was done. We packed ourselves up and headed for home. Which is where I am now.
Nothing definite lined up for future projects yet. The Missouri project I thought I'd be heading straight to from Nebraska has been put on hold. Other upcoming projects I'm aware of will be starting up sometime soon but I haven't received concrete dates for them yet. But, word on the street is to 'Get Ready!' Sounds like there is going to be a lot of work break open shortly, and probably all at the same time. Just gotta be patient until then.
