UWM Field School Week Two

After a successful first week of field school practicing skills and conducting Phase 1 survey, students were ready to move on to the process of excavation. Students worked in teams of two to set up their units, screening stations, and learn vertical and horizontal excavation. 



Figure 1. Dr. Edwards, Tim Piatek, and TA Sean Gleason set up the excavation area.



Figure 2. Archaeological fieldwork is carefully measured. Students dig in 10 cm increments through the ground to chart any potential changes in soil color, collect artifacts, and record information. Ricky Huertas is shown excavating the Southwest quadrant of his unit, which will then be screened for small pieces of pottery, lithics, and other materials. 



Figure 3. Elsie Touchstone and Gil Amador work on screening materials as well as site documentation. 



Figure 4. Gil Amador shows off one of the most common finds in a unit: a rock. 



Figure 5. Matthew Sharley with another type of screen. 



Figure 6. Jackson King demonstrates shovel skimming, or removing the soil in careful layers. 



Figure 7.  Bryce Hansen and Tim Piatek are troweling through the floor of their unit. Troweling is a careful exercise in which soil and other material are removed in a centimeter - or less increments. 



Figure 8. A picture is ready to occur when a unit's floor is 'cleaned' via troweling. Sydney Davis, Cat Vankammen, Hannah Bauer, Tim Piatek, Bryce Hansen, Dr. Edwards, and Sean Gleason set up a sun shield to help TA Katherine Czarnezki get a unit picture. Elsie Touchstone and Gil Amador have the important role of holding the ladder steady. 



Figure 9. A site overview. Rachel Stewart is watering the unit to allow Aubrey Morris to work on the square's walls. 



Figure 10. A stone tool was discovered in a southern unit. 



Figure 11. A grand river rim sherd discovered in a northern unit. 



Figure 12. Students gathered around a campfire after a hard day's work. 



Figure 13. Critter encounters are common on archaeological digs. It's always nice to make new friends. 






















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