From the Field: Daily Life at Mule Creek

Preservation Archaeology Blog
Jake (Hendrix College) and Zoe (University of Vermont) excavate in a burned room at Fornholt.
Jake (Hendrix College) and Zoe (University of Vermont) excavate in a burned room at Fornholt.

We’re getting the students involved in producing blog posts that highlight an interesting aspect of each day’s field work.  As a supplement, I’ll be posting short photo essays of daily field life in the field, dust and all.

The guys making yucca fiber at dusk. We gathered raw materials near the site and have an ongoing traditional sandal contest.
The guys making yucca fiber at dusk. We gathered raw materials near the site and have an ongoing traditional sandal contest.
A traditional low-country boil for dinner, right on the table. Note the field baby.
A traditional low-country boil for dinner, right on the table. Note the field baby.
Zoe (University of Vermont) on a particularly windy day.
Zoe (University of Vermont) on a particularly windy day.
Only socks allowed on the well-plastered floor excavated by Will (University of Texas at San Antonio) and Chris (Arizona State University), with the help of Dr. SuS Eckert (Texas A&M).
Only socks allowed on the well-plastered floor excavated by Will (University of Texas at San Antonio) and Chris (Arizona State University), with the help of Dr. SuS Eckert (Texas A&M).
We spend afternoons washing artifacts, which we then set out to dry in these screen. The humidity here hovers around eight percent; they dry quickly.
We spend afternoons washing artifacts, which we then set out to dry in these screen. The humidity here hovers around eight percent; they dry quickly.
An eroded plaster floor and associated wall. Some of these deposits are pretty banged up, but the architecture is giving us a significant amount of information on remodeling sequences.
An eroded plaster floor and associated wall. Some of these deposits are pretty banged up, but the architecture is giving us a significant amount of information on remodeling sequences.
Meg’s crew likes to limber up in the late afternoon. The rest of us generally gawk and take pictures.
Meg’s crew likes to limber up in the late afternoon. The rest of us generally gawk and take pictures.

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4 thoughts on “From the Field: Daily Life at Mule Creek”

  2. It looks so hot there! Here is a recipe for homemade gatorade to replace those fluids and keep your electrolytes balanced. To make one gallon use 2 pkgs. kool-aid (cherry or orange), 1 cup sugar, 1 cup orange juice (cheap kind with no pulp), 1 tsp. salt, and of course water. Henry will love it! I hope to hear from you soon, Love Mom.

  3. Hi all. I just wanted to thank you, and the site hosts, for the hospitality and the great visit yesterday.

    I’ve been watching all the glamour of the excavations – the burnt corn and plastered floors — on your blog the past few weeks, but I was also impressed with the “realistic” parts of your work. You seem to be doing some interesting problem solving in that tough area of the great kiva or plaza: figuring out what dirt is in place, what has been moved, what is fill, and whether it is all earlier, later, or contemporaneous with your main occupation. So much of my time in the field is spent trying to work out these more challenging features. My field notebook is always with filled with some new drawing (and many scratched out ones) as I try to make it all make sense. Learning to think that through, even if you don’t get the answers this summer, will serve you well no matter where in the world you work in the future. When you finally figure it out, whether with your trowels or your mapping software, it will be really rewarding. Don’t despair!

    Have a great end of the field season!

  4. I’m wondering if there will be any more post? I have enjoyed seeing what has been found and the students/instructers at work. Good job everyone.

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