Dig Diaries 2007

Gil Thompson
Archaeology Field School Journal

Day 1 – May 8, 2007
Today was the first day. We met everyone that is in the class and who are involved in the dig. We toured the Muncy Historical Society Museum and after we traveled to the dig site and got the tour from Mr. Poulton. This is going to be an interesting class.

Day 2 – May 9, 2007
Today was our first day of actual work. We each had a bucket of artifacts that we cleaned with water and toothbrushes. After cleaning them, we sorted each piece into general groups. Keith and I then went to the site and cleaned the area.

Day 3 – May 10, 2007
When we first got to the lab we were busy sorting and matching pieces of glass and pottery. Got a couple pieces to match up. After lunch, we went to the site. We roped off the area in which we were to dig. I found a couple hunks of coal and glass.

Day 4 – May 14, 2007
Got to the site around 11:30. We started to dig right away. Found a lot of nails, brick, mortar. Got down about 12 inches. Also found interesting piece of iron. Maybe part of a brake of some kind.

Day 5 – May 15, 2007
Girls were sick today. Me and Keith made a lot of progress. Found a path going from possible house to well. This will end up going through entire site. Maybe a path, part of foundation, well, or due to excess burn, outside oven, bakery that’s not on the map.

Day 6 – May 16, 2007
We watched “Pirates” and it was awesome.

Day 7 – May 17, 2007
I was sick.

Day 8 – May 22, 2007
Kept uncovering the brick. Could be a floor or a walkway.

Day 9 – May 23, 2007
Uncovering the floor continues. More nails and glass. Maybe it’s a separate building from the house. Summer kitchen?

Day 10 – May 24, 2007
Expanded today. Found more brick. This is no kitchen, possibly the whole house. Found the foundation.

Day 11 – May 25, 2007
Helped with the field trip. Talked to the classes about what we have been finding.

Day 12 – May 29, 2007
Keith and I joined forces to take out a big section of wall. Found some new stuff. Found a new wall.

Day 13 – May 30, 2007
Second to last day, still finding more stuff, more foundation. Cleaned it off with river water that Keith and I got.

Day 14 – May 31, 2007
Last day, cleaned up the site, found some more wall. Robin fell on her a** while getting water out of the pond. It was funny. Thank God it’s the last day riding that smelly, annoying kid named Keith.

Dig Personnel
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Dig Diaries
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The Archaeologist's Toolbox
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Archaeology for Kids
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Muncy Historical Society
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Robin Van Auken, archaeologist for the project
Meet Robin Van Auken and find out more about the field school she teaches for Lycoming College