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Monday, August 6
Team 1: Jessica Cobb, James Davenport and
Mark Melancon
Note: In preface to today’s log, we would like to
make a pledge that we will not talk about food at all. Much of the
feedback regarding the log points out its gastrocentric view, so
therefore we will not speak of or mention today’s meals, however
delicious they may have been. (And actually were.)
Returning from a weekend filled
with a day of rest and a trip to Key West, the students once again dove
on the site. Instead of taking the classic and majestic Coral Sea,
transportation to the site was provided by three much faster six-person
boats (eloquently called “six-packs”). Though they were missing a
group-bonding element, they held the distinct advantage of speed, as
well as a reduced amount of gear leading to less clutter and more ease
in movement around the vessel.
Team 2 launching from Quiescence III:
Rayanne Gordon, Adam Kowalski and Keith Young.
Before teams began measuring
artifacts, each team took length measurements to nearby datum markers
from their primary point of survey to remedy certain discrepancies in
data that lead to the downfall of the first attempt at mapping the site
(extraordinarily frustrating, but ultimately rewarding). After these
were taken, teams went to work at taking measurements of artifacts in
their quadrant.
Keith Young mapping an artifact on the
Tonawanda site.
After two days and four dives of
experience and improved communication, the efficiency of everyone had
improved astronomically (i.e. hand flailing and suspicious eye movements
have been effectively decoded[!]). Not only were teams more adept at
documentation, they also became experts at exiting and reentering the
water in the least amount of time necessary, and the boats were able to
return before 1:00pm.
Quiescence I returning to Key Largo with
Teams 1 and 3. From left: Doug Faunt, Kate Harding, Mark Melancon, Marc
Massom, Jessica Cobb and James Davenport.
A short intermission ensued
(which may or may not have been lunch, but I cannot speak on the
subject) before teams began transferring their data into their
notebooks. Then, under the direction of Mr. Hall, the crew began to
create the second incarnation of the site map, with much more success
(triumph!). After the six datums were plotted out acceptably within the
margin of error, each team started to plot the artifacts they measured
on the overall site map. This ensued for several minutes before use of
the table was needed for an activity (which might have been a delicious
Sonoran dinner prepared by Dr. Smith [who might have been upset that the
local grocery did not sell any móle {which is a Mexican sauce made from
chocolate and chiles (which is really more from Oaxaca and Guerrero than
Sonora, but still would have accompanied the theoretical meal
wonderfully)}], or it might have been something else entirely).
Working on the overall Tonawanda
site plan. Clockwise, from left: Mark Melancon, Jessica Cobb, Marc
Massom, Doug Faunt, Kate Harding, James Waterbury, Adam Kowalski and
Keith young.
Afterwards, John Gifford—from
the University of Miami—presented a fascinating lecture about the site
of Little Salt Spring Archaeological and Ecological Preserve in North
Port, Florida. The site is an anoxic spring with excellent preservation
of artifacts dating as far back as 12,000 years before present. The
site may contain remains placing human habitation in the New World early
enough to disprove the Clovis First theory, as well as reveal a plethora
of information concerning Paleolithic and Archaic era habitation in
Southern Florida and North America in general. More information can be
found at the project’s website,
www.rsmas.miami.edu.
Dr. Gifford gets cornered by field school
students after his talk. Left to right: Adam Kowalski, Kate Harding, Sam
Erdman (obscured), Doug Faunt (obscured), Keith Young, James Davenport,
Anne Corscadden Knox, Dr. Gifford and Dr. Sheli Smith.
Once the presentation had
commenced and many questions were asked (Dr. Gifford was strategically
cornered), groups continued mapping artifacts on the master site map.
The day was extremely productive, and everyone was looking forward to
going back out on the site and continuing artifact documentation.
Oops. Seems like we forgot that whole
we-pledge-not-to-talk about food thing.
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