With the exception of the heat and the humidity, we had a great day on the dig today (the breeze helped out a lot!). But, I think I'm safe to say that all of us created a bit more "sweat equity" in the project than on previous days.
Today was another of our "public outreach days" -- where we invite interested community members to try their hand at "real archaeology." Several of the students in the class show up each weekend to work with community volunteers.
Our thanks to the volunteers who took advantage of the chance to work on this project today: Lindsey Bowman, Howie Brainerd, Betty Callis, Edie Crane, Georgia Dennis, Ellis Durham, Ann and Matt Funkhouser, Elaine Hackerman, George Heinrich, Caroline Kiev, Robert Miller, Mary Saums, Judy Shook, Catherine and Elizabeth Stewart, Jennie Walker, and Mike Warren. Georgia and Mike are both alums of our archaeology program and frequently share their expertise (and labor) with current students. Other volunteers include individuals from the Middle Cumberland Archaeological Society -- many of whom have participated in archaeological projects across the country (and world). Several of today's volunteers have participated in many of our MTSU field projects over the past ten years plus.
We worked on several different areas today with the help of volunteers. One of our primary goals is to open some new excavation units to see if we can hit the trench for the town wall at some more distant locations. Sixteen meters to the south of our known trench, we opened two new units that will hopefully reveal evidence of the continuing town wall.
At the screen below, Lynne works with volunteers Elaine and her mother and brother while Tracy shovels at the right.
While in the next unit, Richard and Natalie work with volunteers George and Mary in the search for another section of the palisade trench.
To the north, Jesse works with volunteers Caroline and Edie investigating Feature 9.
We also expanded our investigations of Feature 4 -- the large circular (?) pit/structure in our western excavation areas. Below, Brandy works with volunteers Katherine and Elizabeth while in the background, Howie, Ellis, and Alex work on the same feature in their units.
Here, Ellis and Beth are carefully exposing fragments of limestone, pottery, and animal bone in the pit fill.
By the close of the day, we had made some substantial progress in completing the first level in the feature. On Monday, we'll complete the 10-cm level and map the exposed artifacts before proceeding with a second level.
The garbage filling the pit continues to include a fascinating collection of broken pottery -- including more of the fabric impressed pottery.
The crew is resting up after a second hard week in the field -- excavations will resume on Monday morning bright and early.