The Dirt on Archaeology: The Dirt on Archaeology: Field School Week One in Range Creek

Our first week excavating "Little Village" in Range Creek was extremely productive, in spite of unpredictable weather and adjustments to field conditions। We flagged artifacts and mapped with a gps and a total station, set grid stakes, took notes, assessed sediments, excavated, screened, bagged and FS'd many artifacts, and toured rock art and granaries. Celia Jean found a complete, beautiful side-notched point, and the 2-meter crew found a partial bowl associated with a possible second occupation about a meter and a half into the structure.

In the words of the crew

Ingrid- "Resume of the Week: This week passed so quickly! I had some ups and downs, but I've learned a lot for sure. I've excavated, described, screened, straightened walls, laughed, cried, learned, made some mistakes. I've learned to use the total station, it was scary and stressful at first, but after a few shots it's easy. I also learned how to use a GPS and I have to say that technology really helps in archaeology! I don't feel extenuated at all and I'm really excited to come back on Monday. I'm still asking some vocabulary questions (Ingrid's native language is French). I think that the discovery of the bowl was the moment of the week! And also the small projectile point. After this week, I really understand why it's important to keep a clean surface and straight walls. These are our guides, not only for the digging but also for the associations! This week was also the "rain week," maybe it's slowed us a bit, but with this beautiful sunny Friday I'll like to think that next week will be "sunny week." I want some Utah sun before returning to Montreal!"

Lisa- "Week 1 Summary: This week met us with rain cloud after rain cloud. The drive into the canyon was gorgeous but it soon turned sour. By Wednesday everyone was soggy. However, the weather did not deter us from our primary goal: the Range Creek Arch Project. Monday we located artifacts below two known features and another possible feature. Tuesday the team recovered the floor that last year’s team had already excavated. Waiting for us there was a metate! Wednesday we mapped the artifacts below the features and lived through some pretty miserable weather. After lunch it finally reached 50 degrees and we made it to the site. Each grid completed about 20 cm of excavation before the day was through. Thursday was an exciting day. The first grid found an intact lithic biface, probably used as an arrow point. And the second grid found two sherds to a bowl and saw two others waiting to be excavated. Friday we mapped the site (Feature 8), mapping each open grid unit and the known, in situ artifacts, metate and bowl. After mapping we completed two bulk samples to be tested for (macrofossils) and small animal bones and two pollen samples to test for (maize pollen) and other plants the inhabitants may have used. We left the site Friday with lots of questions. What is this new F16 feature, were there other inhabitants, did a roof cave in?"

Joe- "June 8th - 12th Summary: This week has been pretty fun. This is my first dig and it has been a great experience. The weather has been awful. It was cold and rainy until Friday when it finally cleared up. While excavating we all found a lot of artifacts from tiny pieces of ceramic and lithic debitage to an arrowhead and a partial bowl. We also found part of an animal bone. I have learned a lot doing this field school, much more than can be learned in a classroom. The experience of working out at a site and camping in the freezing cold and the rain hasn't yet put me off from being an archaeologist. Hopefully next week brings as much knowledge and discovery as this week has."

Celia Jean- "Wow the week went fast. I think partially 'cause the dreary blur of the rainy weather. So yeah working with dirt is making me think. Water...Sand...Dirt. I definitely would love to give (underwater) excavating a try. I think it also matters on the crew. This group seems pretty cool so far. Everyone is so diligent and making sure things are done and each other is treated nicely/ helped when needed. the dig so far is kinda cool. Minus the weather mood swings and add some fitness to myself! Every trek up is a li'l harder for some reason. I think a weekend of no uphill hiking should do me good, oh yeah and rest on a bed! The tools we're using. I never really expected to have high tech. equipment out here, so it's really cool. That way I really am learning how to work a site, for future ref. What else can I say? The mountains are beautiful. The creek is sweet :) . The food is nice. My peers are from all over, but we are all so similar. Let's get this next week going!!

Mel did not write a summary this week, but says: "... the weather is finally looking good! Nice and sunny, although I am glad it's the weekend because I think my body needs a rest and it'll be awesome to have a hot shower and not be cold at night."