MAY 3 & 10, 2008

From: Scott Beld
Sent: Sunday, May 11, 2008 8:06 PM
To: Oxbow Archaeologists
Subject: Sias East - May 3 and 10, 2008

Hi Oxbow Archaeologists,

We made out to Sias East a week ago yesterday (May 3) and yesterday (May 10). We had good weather both days and continued excavating on the east side of the 110 West Block (see Map).

A week ago (May 3), Marianne, Kevin, Dave, Becky, Nik, and I excavated at the site. In the morning, we excavated the 0-20 cm level of units 0N-103W, 1N-103W, and 1N-104W. In the afternoon, I excavated the 20-25 cm level of units 0N-103W, 1N-103W, 0N-104W, and 1N-104W and the 25-30 cm level of 0N-104W. The plow zone in this area of the site extends to about 30 cm. We recovered flakes (Bayport chert), bone fragments and fire cracked rock. We also found two biface fragments in unit 1N-103W.

Yesterday (May 10), Kevin, Dave, Becky, Nik, and I made it out. In the morning, we finished the plow zone (25-30 cm) of units 0N-103W, 1N-103W, and 1N-104W. In the afternoon, I excavated the 30-35 cm level of units 0N-103W, 1N-103W, 0N-104W, and 1N-104W and the 35-40 cm level of 0N-104W. As usual we are finding large quantities of Bayport chert flakes, bone fragments, fire cracked rock, and a few sherds. Unit 0S-104W, 30-35 cm produced two rimsherds (see Photo 1) which may be Middle Woodland. The rimsherd on the right may have traces of rocker-stamping. I also recovered a Middle Woodland notched point from 1N-103W, 30-35 cm (see Photo 2).

This week we’ll be at the Resource Building on Wednesday evening. Next Saturday, we’ll plan on excavating at Sias East.

Hope to see you at the site.

Scott

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Scott G. Beld, Ph.D.
Research Laboratory Specialist - Intermediate
The University of Michigan Museum of Paleontology
1109 Geddes Avenue
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1079
Phone: 734-764-0489 (UMMP Main Office)
734-763-9253 (My Office)
Fax: 734-936-1380
Email: sbeld@umich.edu
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