October 18, 2003

From: Scott Beld
Sent: Sunday, October 19, 2003
To: Oxbow Archaeologists
Subject: Ponton Site - October 15 and 18, 2003

Hi Oxbow Archaeologists,

We made it out to the site on Wednesday (October 15) and yesterday (October 18) (see MAP - OCTOBER 18, 2003).

On Wednesday, Brigitte, John O. and I excavated unit 507R496 (see 507R496 Artifacts in the photo gallery at the bottom of this page). We recovered numerous brick fragments, square nails, flat glass and earthenware. Diagnostic earthenware included Old Blue, Brown, Red and Purple Transfer and Polychrome Handpainted (with red stems).

Yesterday, when we arrived in the morning it was raining so Dave, John H., John O. and I worked in the lab washing and sorting artifacts. About 1 P.M. it cleared and John O. and I went over to the site and excavated.

506R496. John O. and I excavated this unit. Diagnostic earthenware included Old Blue Transfer and Annular (see 506R496 Artifacts in the photo gallery).

505R496. I excavated this unit. The density of material in this unit was much lower – there was considerably less brick, nails, flat glass, and earthenware. Diagnostic earthenware consisted of Blue Transfer and Blue Edge (see 505R496 Artifacts in the photo gallery).

507R497. I excavated this unit. Diagnostic earthenware included Old Blue, Green and Brown Transfer (see 507R497 Artifacts in the photo gallery). There was also a olive glass bottle fragment and another cone-shaped Prosser Patent or Agate Button. This button had an eye on the back (no longer there) and is from a latter occupation (dates after 1840 ).

506R497. I began this unit and was almost done when the sun set. Some rather nasty plow scars still need to be cleaned out and screened. Diagnostic earthenware included Old Blue, Blue, Brown, and Red Transfer (see 506R497 Artifacts in the photo gallery).

This Wednesday we’ll try to excavate at the site if the weather is good. This will be the last Wednesday that we’ll be able to excavate since the time will be changing next Sunday and it’ll be getting dark to early to excavate in the evening. I’ll probably try to get to CNC early on Wednesday and wash some of the 1/8” screen bags before I go to the site.

Next Saturday, we’ll plan on digging at the site. We’ll try to dig on Saturdays till the middle of November.

Hope to see you at the site.

Scott

*************************************************************
Scott G. Beld, Ph.D.
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