SEPTEMBER 18, 2004

From: Scott Beld
Sent: Sunday, September 19, 2004
To: Oxbow Archaeologists
Subject: Ponton Site - September 18, 2004

Hi Oxbow Archaeologists,

We made it out to the Ponton site yesterday. It was a beautiful autumn day. John O., Dave, Kevin and I excavated a couple units (see Map - September 18, 2004 and Photo 5 in the photo gallery below).

Feature 5, 515R497. I spent the day working on this section of Feature 5 and excavated it to 1 m below the surface where it is near the bottom of the feature (only a trace left along the south wall). Very few artifacts were found – a few pieces of flat glass and nails. In the 95-100 cm level I did find a Old Blue sherd that is decorated on both sides (see Photo 1 in the photo gallery below). This is too thick for a cup and is possibly from a bowl. I should finish excavating this section of Feature 5 and draw the profiles next Saturday.

522R500, Plow Zone. John, Kevin, and Dave excavated this unit. The usual earthenware and pipe fragments were recovered as well as flakes and F.C.R. Dave found part of a fork handle (see Photo 2). There were a couple of dark gray stains that could be prehistoric features in this unit (see Photo 6). See Photo 7 for decorated earthenware from this unit.

522R499, Plow Zone. John excavated this unit. The usual earthenware, etc was recovered. A dark gray stain along the north edge of this unit is probably a prehistoric feature and contained several sherds of relatively thick grit-tempered pottery (see Photo 3 [“P” is where pottery was found] and Photo 4).

This week on Wednesday we’ll work at the Resource Building. I’d like to get the 1/8” screen bags that we’ve accumulated washed – so wear your water screening shoes/cloths. Next Saturday, we’ll plan on digging. An archaeology class from Wayne State University is planning on a visit for a tour.

Other upcoming events, etc.:
    Next Sunday (September 26) there is an MAS Executive Board Meeting. I’ll present our plans for next years fall workshop. If there are other things that I need to bring up, let me know.
    Saturday, October 2, is “Archaeology Day” at the State Museum. We will be putting on a gallery exhibit and I’ll be giving a lecture. John will be attending and helping with the display. If there are others that want to go let us know.
    Saturday, October 30 is the “MAS Fall Workshop,” in Monroe (hosted by the River Raisin Chapter) – you should have received a flyer in the mail.

I’ll be posting some additional pictures on the September 18, 2004 page on the website.

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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