First you choose a location and then measure out a 1 square meter. Hey kids, this is one of those applications of the Pythagorean Theorem, you use the length of the side to find the opposite corner by breaking the square into two right triangles. No sleeping in math class!
Greg puts spikes into each corner of the square meter area and ties a string around the spikes so we no what area to dig in. This is called stringing up the unit.
Next you remove the sod cap and all the vegetation that is growing over your excavation area. We use a shovel to cut the shape evenly and then rip the grass out up to the roots.
The excavation is done in 10 centimeter increments. Each layer is removed and all artifacts that are found in the layer are bagged together. Once you finish a 10 centimeter layer, you start a new layer and bag the artifacts in a new bag. Special or unusual finds are bagged and labeled separately.
Jodi and I use trowels to slice through the soil and get through even layers. This helps us find artifacts and then map exactly where we found in the excavation site. Each pile of soil is then put through the screen to find any artifacts we might miss.
After we complete one layer, we go through the dividing line in the center. Then we measure the depth and go down another layer.
This particular site is relatively close to camp. It is only a 45-minute hike. There are some streams to cross and some spots that will suck off your boots if you don't walk across them quickly. It is mostly bush whacking but a lot of it is along the ridgeline. We use the bear trails so the walking is somewhat easier. In the morning there is generally marine fog from the Bering Sea but, in the afternoon when the fog is gone, it is a really nice walk back to camp with scenic views.
We take a lunch break and generally walk to a birch forest. We can easily find dry wood there and kindling. We start a fire, heat water and usually make ready-made meals that just need hot water. It is also a Russian tradition to have tea after lunch. It is definitely work to make a fire and all of that, but it is also an opportunity to sit back and have a relaxing meal during the workday.
We are getting to know each other a lot better each day and are getting an arsenal of inside jokes and things to tease each other about. These folks are a pleasure to work with and we spent quite a bit of time laughing while we get the work done. They are teaching me quite a bit and one by one they are letting me take on new tasks after I've seen them done a couple times. It's nice working with the experts, especially when they are happy to show you their passion for their work.
