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.