The stratigraphic sequence of Test Unit 1 (south side of house) was markedly different than that observed in Test Unit 2.  Here the sequence consisted of more-or-less homogeneous snail shell midden with plain fiber-tempered in the upper 50 cm and a lack of pottery below.  Resting on sterile sand, the lowest 40 cm of midden contained abundant but scattered charocal throughout, lending it a darker color than the overlying matrix.  A sample of charcoal was submitted in August for radiocarbon dating. Click here to check results.
	Everyone received formal training in the use of a Nikon DTM-310 Total Station and worked several days collecting data for the site map.  This proved to be a popular task, especially for the hi-tech-minded students.
As work progressed under the Thursby House, State Parks officials asked us to test an area slated for a new wastewater treatment facility.  Located some 200+ m to the southwest of the Thursby House in a low-lying area near the river, the proposed project area had a bit of shell midden exposed at the surface.  Shovel testing showed that the surface midden was actually redeposited, but below about a meter of colluvial sand we uncovered a buried A horizon and a 1.5-m thick snail shell midden.  One 1x2-m unit was opened to assess the depth, sequence, and content of this buried midden.  Preliminary results suggest the sequence matches nicely that below the Thursby House.  One charcoal sample from the top of the midden was submitted for dating.  Watertable at about 2.3 m prevented us from reaching the base of the midden.  We hope to return next year.

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