Hello all! My name is Meghan and I am working with Eleanor (Ele)
Hein on public outreach this summer! You may remember me from last year, because
I was one of the students in the field school and I was an independent study
student. I graduated from WMU in December and accepted one of the Public
Outreach Coordinator positions at the Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Field
School. I am happy to return and promote Fort St. Joseph through a different means!
Yesterday, July 5,
our crew arrived in Niles and through a lot of sweat and hard work we are
settled in at the Stables. Once we were
settled at our home base, the crew hit the ground running and began shovel test
pitting (STP’s) in a new area. The crew broke ground yesterday at a local resident’s
backyard to hone down their archaeological skills, as well as, explore a new area
close to the St. Joseph River. Last night, the students were busy identifying areas
to lay out our units for this field season. Many of the students, as well as
the staff, were intrigued by Feature 27, our proposed new fireplace, and Feature
28, a potential corner to Structure 5.
Staff and students analyzing previous field notes to determine
potential units.
Today, the students are continuing their
testing and honing of skills. Ele and I are helping by doing background
research on the area by looking at Sanborn maps, Platt maps, and other
documents that can tell us about who may have lived there and what they were
doing. Performing STP’s and doing background research shows that archaeology
and history is everywhere and that one does not have to travel far to explore
the past. I love Fort St. Joseph and the Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project,
because it constantly involves the local communities. Archaeology and history
are for everyone and by including community members it allows them to explore
the past.
Students performing shovel test pits.
The Project has begun splendidly and other than
a few mishaps with missing forks and no bowls we are off to a great start! The
bowls and forks didn’t sidestep us too much, because we innovatively just ate
our cereal out of cups. I am very excited to see what is uncovered this field season,
and everyone is welcome to follow our discoveries! Our Open House is August 4th
and 5th, and pit tours at the site will be starting soon! Ele and I,
along with the staff and students, will keep you updated on our excavations!
Thank you so much
for your support!
Meghan
