| Dig
Diaries 2006
Sara Gavlock
Archaeology Field School Journal
Day 1-- 5/8/06
Orientation
5/9/06
First, we cleared the site we believed to be the area the former
site of a house. Then, we decided where we would set up the excavation
units. We set up a plot 15’ by 5’ Then divided them
into three 5’ by 5’ plots. Put up stakes and lined it
with string. Then we began to dig. I dug in EU-3, NE quadrant, and
found two pieces of glass.
5/10/06
I continued to dig in EU-3 NE. Still not finding much besides roots
and rocks. I found one more piece of glass and a neat shiny rock.
Some of the other are having some better luck than me. Maybe once
I dig deeper I will have better luck.
5/11/06
Today was spent in the lab cleaning artifacts that were found where
a privy was believed to be. We cleaned pieces of glass that looked
to belong to a candy dish as well as fragments of a large pot and
many fragments of broken bottles. One of which had Muncy, PA on
it another was cod-liver oil and lime and soda.
5/15/06
Today was a miserable (weatherwise) day. We met at the school to
do lab work. We learned how to read topographical maps. We also
created a map of our own of the 3rd floor Academic Center lounge.
We also surveyed a graveyard to see ages of death corresponding
to different periods of time.
5/16/06
Today, we identified and cataloged level 1 and some of level 2 of
the dig of the well. We found bricks, mortar, nails, shells, limestone
as well as other interesting artifacts.
5/17/06
Today we were at the site. We were allowed to use shovels today
but I had a small bucket so I was screening every five minutes.
I did not find much but a few more pieces of glass and some coal.
5/18/06
I continued and finished the first level of EU 3-E. Then I started
my next quadrant. It looked like it was going to rain so we packed
up our things and went to the lab.
5/22/06
It rained this weekend so the site was damp. We worked on a lab
then the quizzes.
5/23/06
Today I continued in EU-3 W quadrant. Still not finding much but
some plastic pieces. Things would move along a lot quicker if there
weren’t so many roots to cut or dig around.
5/24/06
The digging continued in EU-3. Tomorrow we will clean up the site
for the West Branch School’s field trip in the afternoon.
5/25/06
Today, we mapped the canal and dig site. We also had visitors from
the West Branch School and had them dig and wash artifacts.
5/30/06
The digging continued we are focusing on cleaning up the site, including
straightening the walls and leveling the floor. Still not much to
be found we did find a large metal rod, maybe from a structure.
We are not sure.
5/31/06
Due to the heavy thunderstorms we had last night, the site was a
mess. The units were filled with water. We did our best to fill
in the test pit we had dug last week. We also tried to remove as
much water as we could from the units in hopes that they will dry
out for the kids that are going to visit tomorrow for a field trip.
Once that was done we worked on finishing up the quizzes. Yeah!
One more day!! :)
Dig Personnel
Meet the archaeologists, students and volunteers working at the
Muncy Canal site
Dig Diaries
Participate in the exciting discoveries by reading the latest from
the field
Ask an Archaeologist
Visit our FAQs page to get answers to all your questions about the
dig
The Archaeologist's Toolbox
Learn about the tools we use before, during, and after excavations
Archaeology for Kids
Here are a few games and puzzles to help young children and students
learn about archaeology
Upcoming Events
Learn more about us, and get information on visiting the site or
taking part in one of our programs
Media Coverage
Read all about it! Public Radio, local newspapers, Web 'zines and
television newscasts investigate The Muncy Heritage Park and Nature
Trail
Join the Society
Want to help with the Archaeology Dig? Become a member of the Muncy
Historical Society
Muncy Historical Society
Visit the Muncy Historical Society's Web site
Robin
Van Auken, archaeologist for the project
Meet Robin Van Auken and find out more about the field school she
teaches for Lycoming College
|
