SEPTEMBER 6, 2004

From: Beld, Scott
Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2004
To: Oxbow Archaeologists
Subject: Ponton Site - September 6, 2004 (Labor Day)

Hi Oxbow Archaeologists,

We made it out to the site yesterday for our Labor Day Dig! Frances, Kevin, Greg, Lia, John O. and I made it out (see Map and Photo 1 in the photo gallery below). We excavated three plow zone units north of Feature 5 and began a new section of Feature 5.

521R500. Kevin, Frances, Greg, Lia and John excavated this unit in the morning. The usual material including flat glass, nails, earthenware, and pipes were recovered. Kevin found a projectile point tip that has potlids from being heated (this is the first point that Kevin has found! – see Photo 2).

521R499. Kevin, Greg, Lia, and John excavated this unit. The usual material including decorated earthenware was found in this unit.

521R498. Greg, Lia, and John excavated this unit. In addition to the usual material, a bolt and a 1-piece brass button with a floral design on the front (see Photo 3) were found.

Feature 5, 517R498, Levels 1-5 (25-50 cm). I began excavating this section of Feature 5. Numerous nails and flat glass fragments were recovered, particularly at the top. I also found two earthenware fragments (one Old Blue Transfer) and a stoneware fragment, also at the top.

I’ll post additional pictures from yesterday on the website -- www.chippewanaturecenter.com/Oxbow. Click the September 6, 2004 link or go to the 2004 Updates page (see Photos 4-10 in the photo gallery below).

This Wednesday (tomorrow), after our meeting with the Center for the Arts people (4:30 P.M.), we’ll do lab work. We’ll probably be working outside doing flotation and waterscreening, so bring shoes/boots that can get wet.

Next Saturday, we’ll plan on excavating at the Ponton site.

Hope to see you at the site.

Scott

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Scott G. Beld
Research Associate II
The University of Michigan Museum of Paleontology
1109 Geddes Road
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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