Archaeology Dig Diary July 1, 2007

Archaeology Dig Diary - 2007

Sunday, July 1

OK, so this time my excuse for the lack of timely diary entries is my trip to Guatemala to pick up our baby daughter. While I was in Guatemala I did see some archaeological remains that reminded me of Ferry Farm.

The 2007 University of South Florida field school is about over. They have one more week and then back home to air conditioned Florida. They have spent their summer recovering artifacts situated around the colonial structure we are exploring.

The summer interns arrived on June 11 and will be with us until August 10th. They are working in the same area as the students, helping out with the waterscreen, and excavating parts of the structure.

Heidi is about halfway finished excavating the eastern stone-lined cellar. She has uncovered more of the entranceway into the western cellar, and the opening appears to have been very wide and situated asymmetrically. No evidence of shelving or a stairway that led to the structure’s ground floor yet. Artifacts found in the cellar include painted plaster (red), animal bones, ceramics, and straight pins.

Heidi working in the cellar

Padlock Kate is also halfway finished with the western cellar. This cellar is very different from the one Heidi is excavating. It is not as well constructed as the eastern cellar and uses a variety of materials including rough river cobbles and cut Aquia. The stones are mortared together. Artifacts recovered include jingle bells, cufflinks, buttons, barrel hoops, a padlock, and pottery. It appears that this cellar is later than its eastern counterpart.

Kate working in the cellar