Student Highlight of the Week- MARISA FOSTER

Marisa Foster is an undergraduate student at UWF majoring in Maritime Studies. Originally from Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes, her interest in the underwater world started early. Marisa is soon to be a graduate student working toward a master's in Anthropology. She is in the process of acquiring her captain's license and becoming a certified dive master.

Last week of Field School

We are nearing the end of the summer 2009 field season at Arcadia Mill. All of the 1x1 meter and 1x2 meter units have been documented and backfilled! We are using the last few days of field school to document our Block 1 excavations by photographing and mapping each unit as well as the block as a whole.

We have taken several wide-angle photographs of the entire block as well as individual unit photographs. It is very important to document all of the profiles/stratigraphy (sides) as well as the plan view perspective (floor) for each unit.







We have found some very neat artifacts and pictures are soon to come! The block yielded many personal items including eating utensils, buttons, pipe bowls, and pipe stems. Check the blog again soon for artifact photos and a comprehensive analysis of the excavation results!

Student Highlight of the Week- AMELIA EASTERLING

Amelia received an Anthropology B.A. from the University of South Alabama in 2008. She particpated in the excavations at Ft. Mims and Old Mobile during the USA's 2008 spring field school. Currently, Amelia is a second year graduate student pursuing an Anthropology M.A. at the University of West Florida. Her interest is in Precolumbian archaeology and she plans to study a Santa Rosa-Swift Creek shell ring for her thesis.

Student Highlight of the Week- BILL BROWN

Bill is a 42 year old returning student with a previous BA in social work. He is a senior seeking a BA in general anthropology. He's an active member of the SCA following an 11th century Spanish refugee persona. He's mostly interested in early colonization of Spanish Florida. He intends on pursuing a Masters with a heavy emphasis on GIS map applications.

Artifact Density Analysis

The maps below represent the architectural and ceramic distributions for the Area A-10 meter interval shovel tests. The highest concentrations for both architectural artifacts and ceramics are located within the general vicinity of Block 1, Units 3-6 (pictured in previous blog update). The shovel test data corresponds very well with the placement of Block 1. The locations of the sandstone structural features and artifact concentrations (using both shovel test and unit data) suggest that we have located the interior and exterior of a residence.

The architectural concentrations clearly surround the exterior of the structure (outside the sandstone corner features). Ceramic concentrations occurred in both the exterior and interior areas of the proposed structure.

Architecture

Ceramics

Student Highlight of the Week- JENNY OWEN

Jenny is a senior majoring in biological anthropology at the University of West Florida. She is particularly interested in the pathologies associated with industrialization and she plans to pursue a career in bioarchaeology.

Structural Features

We have opened all of Block 1, which consists of Units 3-6. Since opening all four units, we have exposed many more bricks and structural features. It appears that we have remnants of a chimney along with the adjacent chimney-fall, which has a very dark, ashy appearance.

The above photo shows Block 1, Unit 3 after all of the structural features were exposed. This shows a somewhat square shape to the articulated bricks and brick rubble.

The above photo shows Block 1 (bottom of level 1, 0-10 centimeters below surface). This photo displays the chimney remnants along with the chimney fall in the upper right 1/4 of the block.

Block 1 has yielded several features that we will begin removing after the overall Block 1 map is complete. Block 1 has yielded numerous artifacts including several types of ceramics, bottle and window glass, a spoon bowl (sans handle), a turpentine tool, pencil lead and a black- glass faceted cuff link or button. We are very excited to continue excavations in this area!

We have exposed several different pieces of sandstone in this area, which were likely used as piers or cornerstones for a structure. We have identified two sandstone slabs that are in aligment with eachother. Sandstone does not occur naturally in this area of the site though sandstone was readily available from a large outcropping located near the museum. The above photo shows the two sandstone slabs (one on the far right side of the photo and one on the far left).

Along with Block 1 we have also excavated several 1x2 meter units. Units 1-2 and 7-9 have been completely excavated and documented. We have begun backfilling these units so we can focus more attention on Block 1. We opened Unit 10, 1x1 meter, (shown to the left) over a partially exposed sandstone feature, which is located within a tree-fall depression. Based on the resistivity data, it appears that this sandstone feature may be the anomaly identified in this area of the grid.

We have been lucky to have plenty of visitors recently! Dr. Matt Clavin, UWF History Department, has brought out two different groups of teachers from all over the country. The teachers are participating in a workshop about African-American history. We've also had visitors from our very own UWF Archaeology Institute! We have two weeks left before field school officially ends, so if you can't make it out to see us please continue to follow our progress here on the blog!!!

Unit and Block excavation

We have completed our first two 1 x 2 meter units (Units 1 and 2), which are located outside of the geophysical grid. We received our resistivity results and have since opened several 1 x 2 meter units and one 4 x4 meter block excavation unit. The resistivity results show two anomalies within the 20 meter by 40 meter area. One of these anomalies is in an area of known surface and sub-surface bricks. We systematically probed the area and located numerous sub-surface bricks. The photo to the right shows the southeast quad (southeast 1/4 of Unit 3 (1 x 1 meter)) with several exposed bricks.

We also opened the northwest and southwest quads (Unit 3) and exposed even more bricks and fasteners. It appears that the bricks are in a circular pattern, however there is a small upturned tree that may have influenced their pattern. The circular pattern paired with the upturn tree suggests that the the tree fall actually pulled the bricks upward creating a circular pattern. The systematic probing suggests that there are bricks located beneath this disturbed tree fall.

In total, we have opened nine units and excavated two to subsoil. We are opening many 1 x 2 meter units throughout this area in hopes of identifying more structures. The bricks in Unit 3 are considered a structural feature complex, which likely represent a pier or some other type of residential structural element. We plan to continue opening units in hopes of identifying more structural features and domestic assemblages.

Student Highlight of the Week-JOHN NUCKOLS

John was born in Lexington, KY and raised in Laporte, CO. He is a senior undergraduate majoring in general anthropology at the University of West Florida. He also studied at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. He enjoys outdoor activities and speaks several languages. He hopes to incorporate his foreign language skills and other talents into his upcoming degree.

Geophysical survey and excavation units

We had a particularly busy week of geophysical survey and opening up excavation units. Once all of the clearing was complete, we decided to conduct a resistivity survey in Area A of the site. Dr. Victor Thompson, University of West Florida, came out and conducted a resistivity survey in two 20 meter by 20 meter grids. We set up the resistivity grid by shooting in the corners with a total station so we could make sure we had perfect 20 meter by 20 meter squares. The students then staked-in meter tapes that created lanes for the resistivity machine (shown here).


The geophysical survey went very well considering the rough terrain of Area A. We decided against Ground Penetrating Radar because the rough terrain and abundant roots would negatively affect the data.

After the geophysical survey, we set up two 1 meter by 2 meter units to excavate. Though we haven't received the geophysical results, we wanted to open two small units so the combination students could experience unit excavation before they switch to maritime field school on Monday, July 6th.

On Friday, we got to the bottom of level 1 in both units. The units are dug in 10 cm arbitrary levels by shovel shaving with a square shovel. Unit 1 yielded lots of artifacts including a large number of whiteware sherds, metal, brick fragments, and glass fragments. Shown to the left, a pearlware plate base that was recovered in level 1 of Unit 1.

Unit 2 was started later in the day so we managed to get the root mat off by the end of work hours. We are excited to continue excavating and see what we find! We are within the area of domestic concentrations, so we hope to find plenty more ceramics, glass, and building materials!

Student Highlight of the Week- KATHRYN ANN KING

Kathryn is currently a senior, majoring in archaeology at the University of West Florida. She is most interested in historical archaeology with a focus on Colonial America. She is also interested in prehistoric archaeology, Incan and Myan cultures, and Egyptian culture. She plans to pursue graduate school for a masters in cultural anthropology and possibly a doctorate.

Return to Area A

Once the surface collection and shovel testing was complete in Area D, we returned to Area A to pick up where we left off. The students completed the 56 shovel tests at 10 meter intervals, lending to an overall total of 166 completed shovel tests for the survey portion of field school.

The 10 meter interval shovel tests provided additional artifacts and spatial data to better understand what is going on this area. The data suggests that we have multiple households especially due to the variation and spatial distribution of artifacts. Once the shovel tests were complete, we began clearing to conduct geophysical survey. Geophysical survey is a non-intrusive tool for investigating sub-surface archaeological features. We will be conducting resistivity and ground-penetrating radar surveys in hopes to delineate sub-surface structural features.

Resistivity involves the measurement of resistance to an electrical current, which is passed through the ground. The amount of resistance is affected by how much moisture is present in the soil. The photo to the left shows a resistivity meter.

Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) involves an antenna which sends out electromagnetic pulses into the ground, which reflect off objects and are picked up again by a receiving antenna. The photo to the right shows the antenna for a GPR unit.

Friday, June 19th we spent all day clearing a 20 meter by 20 meter area within the artifact concentration to prepare for geophysical survey. In order to get the best data, we must clear an adjacent 20 meter by 2o meter area to conduct geophysical survey on a 40 meter by 40 meter grid. Our excavation plans will be based on the geophysical survey in combination with the artifact data from the shovel test survey.

AREA D

The students completed the controlled surface collection along with seven square shovel tests in Area D. The first step to the surface collection was to clean off each 2 meter by 2 meter unit in order to improve surface visibility. The students then conducted a controlled surface collection in each 2 meter by 2 meter unit.

The controlled surface collection yielded window and bottle glass fragments, ceramics, metal, brick fragments, mortar, sandstone fragments, and slag. The photo below shows a sizable brick fragment located right next to two cut nails. The bottom nail showed minimal signs of corosion, suggesting that it was high-fired or fired multiple times. The above nail or one closest to the brick was highly coroded, displaying the difference between well-preserved and not.

After the controlled surface collection, the students dug seven square shovel tests in 5 meter intervals. The square shovel tests gave the students an introdution to unit excavation including digging by levels and photocleaning. This area appears to have a loose, gray weather-deposited layer approximately 0-30 centimeters below surface (cmbs). We found artifacts below 30 cmbs including ceramics, olive glass fragments, metal, fasteners and brick fragments.

We managed to complete six of the seven shovel tests before a strong thunderstorm rolled in. The seventh shovel test was finished the next day, completing all planned shovel tests for Area D.

Student Highlight of the Week- CHAD M. GULSETH

Chad is a senior at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, where he is majoring in archaeology and minoring in anthropology. Chad has a passion for historical and maritime archaeology. The University of West Florida is offering Chad a chance to participate in a combined field school where he can study both areas of interest in one summer. After graduation next spring, Chad plans on attending graduate school before starting his career as a professional archaeologist.

The survey continues

We are completing the last portion of our shovel test survey this upcoming week. We have gone back to our 20 meter shovel test transects and added 56 shovel tests at 10 meter intervals. Once the 10 meter shovel tests are completed, we will have a better idea of boundaries for this positive area. We will compile the data from this area (Area A) and attempt to delineate whether we have a single household or multiple residences.

We also investigated a new area (Area C), which is located on a sandy, upland landform. We completed 15 shovel tests at 10 meter intervals along with several judgmental shovel tests. The shovel tests did not yield domestic artifacts as we expected, but we have other promising areas to investigate!

Some of the students exercised their transit knowledge and set up a 10 meter by 10 meter grid in an area south of Pond Creek (Area D). This area has a high density surface scatter including brick fragments, sandstone fragments (sometimes used for building materials), window glass, cut nails, ceramics, metal, and slag. We set up a grid for controlled surface collection, which we will complete this week. We are also hoping to utilize geophysical survey in this area to better understand what is going on beneath the surface.

The photo to the right is hard to see, but we have a 10 meter by 10 meter grid layed out with stakes and pink string.

Stayed tuned for more information and photographs regarding Area D!

Student Highlight of the Week- JOHN NICHOLLS

John Nicholls graduated from the University of West Florida in 2000 with a B.A. in History. He is married and is blessed with a four year old daughter. He is the owner of a small custom cabinet business. He is glad to be a part of the Arcadia field school this summer.

We are moving right along with our survey excavations! To date, the students have dug approximately 70 shovel tests. We have quickly covered our survey area, though we are always finding new places to investigate. We are constantly battling the dense vegetation and hurricane damage that occurred during the last 10 years. The photo to the right, shows a path that students cut in order to reach their shovel test destination!

The photo to the left provides an idea of what the students are up against when they encounter hurricane damage. However, down trees and dense vegetation does not intimidate the students!!!

We have a nice cluster of positive shovel tests that is in the exact area that domestic artifacts were recovered in 1988. On Friday, a shovel test team recovered blue transfer-print whiteware, brick fragments, and a ceramic base. The ceramic base has blue pooling that is characteristic of pearlware, however the ceramic is very thick like a stoneware. This is definitely a question to be answered at the upcoming Friday field lab- Friday, June 19th 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Left to right: Blue transfer-print whiteware, brick fragment, and ceramic base. The base is most likely from a cup or dish of some nature.

Student Highlight of the Week- CATHERINE ELISE NIEMEYER

Catherine Elise Niemeyer is a Pensacola native, a graduate of the International Baccalaureate Program at Pensacola High School, and a rising senior at Bryn Mawr College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. In the fall 0f 2008, she spent a semester abroad at the University of Edinburgh. She is an anthropology major, with a particular interest in the anthropology of art and photography. Her minor in classical and near eastern archaeology has predominantly exposed her to the art historical and theoretical aspects of archaeology. Elise hopes to round out her perspective of the discipline of anthropology through fieldwork at Arcadia. After she graduates from Bryn Mawr her plan is to attend graduate school for a degree in anthropology before pursuing a career in the field.

Student Highlight of the Week- SHANE DEBACK

Shane is a senior at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse. His major is archaeology with a minor in anthropology. He completed a field school last summer in Wisconsin and wanted to participate in a second field school here at the University of West Florida. He chose UWF due to his interest in historical and underwater archaeology as well as the opportunity to gain more hands on experience.

We are so happy to have Shane here with us as a combination student for the maritime and terrestrial field schools.

Transit Exercise- 08 JUNE 09

Today the students received a transit tutorial and practiced what they learned with an exercise. They learned about horizontal control and how to set up a grid with a transit.

The students also learned about mapping techniques including how to draw a grid. The students will utilize this knowledge when they create a large-scale map of the project area with all of the excavated shovel tests.

Coming Soon!

Each week the blog will highlight one of the Arcadia crew members including a short bio and picture!

Field work commenced- 04 JUNE 09

The first half of the day was spent at the Archaeology Institute due to the potential for bad weather. However, the sun began to shine and we eagerly headed for the site.

The summer investigation plan consists of surveying (shovel testing) the upland area located north of Pond Creek. We hope to locate the village that was associated with the industrial enterprises at Arcadia Mill.

We were ecstatic to find that our first two shovel tests of the summer were positive! Transect 1, shovel test 1 yielded Alkaline-glazed stoneware sherds, bottle glass and brick fragments. Transect 2, shovel test 1 yielded brown bottle glass, brick fragments and fasteners. The dense vegetation and bad weather was overshadowed by the first finds of the season!

The weather was not on our side- 03 JUNE 09

We had great plans for the second day in the field! We were lucky enough to provide an orientation on equipment and methodology before we encountered bad weather. The students learned about all of the equipment and maintenance including sharpening tools and changing mesh in the shaker screens.

We conducted a mock shovel test to demostrate the process involved with archaeological survey. The round shovel test reached a depth of 1 meter right as the rain began to fall. A downpour ensued, causing a mad dash to the outdoor museum pavillion for cover. If only it looked this sunny and nice that day!

We waited out the rain for about an hour before we finally retreated to the UWF campus. We spent the rest of the afternoon at the Archaeology Institute, which served as a safe haven from the rain!

First day at Arcadia Mill- 02 JUNE 09

The first day in the field involved an extensive tour of the site! We started at the outdoor classroom and made our way inside to check out the newly remodeled museum. The museum provided background information to prepare us for a walking tour of the site. The tour included the boardwalk as well as the newly cut paths located north of the dam segments, which lead to the areas of investigation. We had a very productive and informative first day!