As we shifted our operations to the new area, we also had to re-arrange the dispersion of tents and yurts so that we could continue to dig in all weather conditions. The larger yurt was placed over the new excavation area:
Rob and Patrick dig under the yurt.
And the tent over the old excavation area became the home of our field lab and equipment storage.
The excavation unit lies in front of the lab area (the table) and the equipment storage bins are on the right.
The yurt proved especially hardy (and helpful) on Saturday, since we wound up in a downpour, even as we had several members of the public out digging with us.
The Public Archaeology Programme in full swing with Emily, Leah, Ed and Isaac pictured here.
Rob guides participants Amanda, Ryan and Emily.
Even though the weather was miserable out there and the rain fairly constant, both we and our excavation remained dry under the yurt. We also had the soil sifters set up in another, smaller yurt, about 10 feet away, so exposure to the rain was pretty minimal! This is especially important when dealing with Grand-Pré soil, which can have a high clay content, and clumps up badly in the rain, making it difficult to screen and increasing the chance of missing artefacts.
Isaac checks the screen for artefacts, under the cover of the yurt.
As we worked, it became clear that more and more stone was coming up, as in the adjacent unit, which had revealed a significant amount of field stone.
Stones seem to be emerging, perhaps indicating a concentration of stone like in the 2008 unit on the right.
All in all a good day!
A group shot at the end of the day. Absent: Leah, Isaac, Emily and Ed who had to leave early, and Becki, who is behind the camera.
Miriam L. C. Fry
Jonathan Fowler
Sarah-Marie McDonald
Stéphane Noël
