September 27, 2003

From: Scott Beld
Sent: Sunday, September 28, 2003
To: Oxbow Archaeologists
Subject: Ponton Site - September 24 and 27, 2003

Hi Oxbow Archaeologists,

We made it out to the site yesterday and had a good day excavating. It looked like it was going to rain a few times, but we only got a sprinkle about 1 P.M. and again just before I left the site at 6:15. We managed to get five units excavated in the 515R500 5x5m Block. Marianne, Dave, John O., and I excavated yesterday.

Unit 517R498. I made it out to the site on Wednesday (September 24) about 4 P.M. and began excavating this unit until I was rained on about 5 P.M. John H., Marianne, John O. and I ended up working in the lab Wednesday instead of digging. Before we were rained out, I did recover a few interesting items from the unit (see 517R498artifacts9-24-03.jpg). The most interesting is a “Clew” backmark fragment from a Brown Transfer plate. You may recall from the Old Blue Transfer backmark fragments that we found last year that James and Ralph Clew were in business in Stafforshire, England from about 1818-1834 [follow this link to find out about last years backmark fragments - Clew Backmark]. Art Pomranky has a fragment of a Brown Transfer “Clew” backmark in his collection and it is possible that this is another fragment from the same plate [follow this link to see Art's "Clew" backmark fragment - "CLEW" BACKMARK]! I also recovered Light Blue and Old Blue Transfer fragments, a ribbed/fluted pipe bowl fragment, and a pipe stem fragment Wednesday evening. On Saturday, Dave, Marianne, John O. and I finished this unit. We recovered Old Blue, Brown and Red Transfer sherds and a ribbed/fluted pipe bowl-stem juncture (see 517R498artifacts9-27-03.jpg).

Unit 518R498. Marianne, John O. and I excavated this unit yesterday. Diagnostic artifacts included Old Blue and Red Transfer earthenware, a pipe stem fragment, and a bottle fragment (see 518R498artifacts.jpg).

Unit 519R498. John O. and I excavated this unit. Diagnostic artifacts included Old Blue, Light Blue and Red Transfer, Blue Edge, and Polychrome Handpainted earthenware and a brass fragment (see 519R498artifacts.jpg).

Unit 517R497. I excavated this unit yesterday afternoon. Diagnostic artifacts included Old Blue and Light Blue Transfer, Blue Edge and Annular earthenware (see 517R497artifacts.jpg).

Unit 517R496. I excavated this unit yesterday afternoon. Diagnostic artifacts included Old Blue and Light Blue Transfer, Blue Edge and Annular earthenware (see 517R496artifacts.jpg).

This week we’ll plan on excavating at the site both Wednesday evening and Saturday. We’ll try to finish the four units that are left in the 515R500 5x5m Block and then move south and finish the 505R500 5x5m Block.

Remember, next Sunday (October 5) is the MAS Fall Workshop at the Castle Museum in Saginaw.

Hope to see you at the site.

Scott

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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
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