Archaeology Dig Diary June 19, 2006

Archaeology Dig Diary - Monday, June 19

The entire 2006 team is now in place - all 24 of them. The work has centered on expanding the excavation area to the north, west, and south. The west side is incredibly slippery as we are now excavating on the slope of the terrace. Using a transit to calculate soil erosion, we have determined that a little over one foot of the once five-foot-deep cellar has survived. While this will speed up the excavation, it represents considerable data loss. There is little hope that architectural elements will have survived on this side, but we will check just to be sure.

Kate is mapping the cellar in anticipation of excavation. She has identified either a builder’s trench or a robber’s trench on the outside of the cellar hole.

A utility trench associated with the 1915 Colbert house will be the first feature excavated by the field school students. It intrudes the stone lined cellar and will provide us with a peek at the west end of the cellar.

Plastic Soldier This plastic Union soldier was found adjacent to the 1862 Union picket line. Its owner was probably a young boy who frequently relived the Battle of Fredericksburg. His soldier was heavily armed with a rifle, pistol, and cartridge belt. He was traveling light as to be ready for a rebel assault at any moment. Not sure what happened to the soldier’s feet – could be the boy’s dog.