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.