How Many Archaeologists can you fit into a 1x1 meter unit?

Who would have ever thought of this question?  Well, in case you ever wondered, we have proof that it is 5!  However, there is talk of a possibility of 6, so stay tuned!  It’s Wednesday of week 3 and many of us have closed out our first unit and just opened up our second.  It’s also noticeable that everyone is getting on the goofy side, which makes this even more fun, but we remain focused. 

5 Archaeologists fit into a 1x1 meter unit
Cassie, Tabitha, Erica, Michelle and Leah

Many of us found quite a few items in our first units at the Lyne site, but the last 20 cm were quite lacking in artifacts.  I hadn’t been at the site for two days and it was strange to see my unit that I had worked on with my pit partner, Jon, all filled in.  Actually, it was kind of sad; it’s like moving from your first home to another home, the first one is always special.  After the units are all documented, photos are taken and when all the paperwork is done, each unit is filled in.  It was exciting that we were assigned a new unit to begin just about 15 meters off the river.  Wow, riverfront property, the high rent district.  All the excitement of opening up our first unit started all over again as we laid out our second unit.  It went much quicker this time and within 30 minutes we had our unit all measured, string line completed, datum line tied on, all beginning measurements taken and we started in with shovel skimming.  This didn’t last long as the amount of roots in our unit increased and using a trowel was the best way to go. 

Within our unit we found 27 stone flakes, and we’ve only gone down 10 cm. Jordan and Scott found the first musket ball of the season.  The life-long campers came in after lunch to start their units and many of them joined us at our units and gave us a hand.  Our camper, Jill, learned quickly how to start identifying stone flakes, way to go Jill! 

Jordan holding their musket ball, the first one found this year!

We had about a 30 minute rain delay as a rain storm came through and we got to the cars just in time, great timing!  Right after lunch we heard some strange noise and looked up and we had the Goodyear Blimp overhead, what a contrast to us digging up 17^th century artifacts.   

The Goodyear Blimp visits Fort St. Joseph

Coming through town we noticed the new sign that is up over downtown advertising our Open House that is being held August 11-12, Niles does a great job of supporting us which is evident every day from the great people here.  

The Fort St. Joseph Open House Sign in downtown Niles.  Great Advertising!

Also today was our second Speaker Lecture Series, Mr. Larry Horrigan titled “Firearms of New France” dressed in 17^th century Voyageur clothes, Mr. Horrigan spoke to a large crowd at the Niles Library and shared his extensive knowledge of the history and how the flintlocks were used. 

Mr. Larry Horrigan speaking on the “Firearms of New France”

Tomorrow should be another exciting day as we head back into the field, let’s hope the rain cooperates and comes when we’re not in the field.

Sue