OCTOBER 4, 2008

From: Scott Beld
Sent: Sunday, October 05, 2008 9:19 PM
To: Oxbow Archaeologists
Subject: Sias East - October 4, 2008

Hi Oxbow Archaeologists,

Becky, Nik, and I made it out to the site yesterday and had a good day excavating (see Map).

In the morning we excavated the 25-30 cm level (bottom of the plow zone) of units 2S-101W and 2S-102W. These two units contained several flakes and bone fragments. We then excavated the 30-35 cm level of unit 2S-104W. The density of flakes and bone fragments increased in this level. The unit also contained two biface fragments and a nice Middle Woodland rimsherd. The rimsherd is decorated with dentate tool impressions at the top of the lip, a row of small punctates below the dentate tool impressions (probably made with the end of the dentate tool), and an area of crosshatch incising below the punctates (see Photo 1).

In the afternoon, I excavated the 45-50 cm level of unit 2S-109W and the 30-40 cm levels of unit 3S-108W. These levels contained a few flakes, fire-cracked rock, or bone fragments. I was also surprised to find a notched “knife” in the 30-35 cm level of unit 3S-108W (see Point 2). It was oriented vertically with the base up along the south wall and a corner of the notch was broken off while I was trimming the wall (found and glued back on).

This week we will meet at the Resource Building this Wednesday evening for a lab session.

We will not be excavating next Saturday (October 11). It is Archaeology Day and I will be in Lansing at the State Museum with a display on our excavation. If anyone wants to help interpret at our table, please let me know.

Scott

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Scott G. Beld, Ph.D.
Research Laboratory Specialist - Intermediate
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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