Happy Father's Day

Happy father's day to my dad and Henry's dad. Henry and I are very lucky people.

Toltec Dig 2010

The Arkansas Archeological Society annual dig was at Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park near England, AR. I just got back today so I have a whole new appreciation for air conditioning, ice, and my own bed after sleeping in a tent for a week. This site is so important because it is a unique example of a Late Woodland (A.D. 600-1150) site with ancient earthworks. (Most earthworks in this region are not that old!) There are 18 mounds on the site and some are well-preserved. The tallest mound is 49 feet (14 meters) tall. There is evidence that these mounds were build by people hauling earth one basket load at a time. It was so hot and mosquito-ridden, but I feel honored to have the opportunity to work on such an important site. It's also fun to see some familiar faces that I only get to see once a year. People from all over the U.S. return each year to the AAS digs and I have known these friends for 12 years.

Dawn & I are trying to escape the heat on the boardwalk behind Mound A.

Some of the stuff we found.
Quartz Crystals & Pot Sherds

Lots of animal bone.
Deer, turtle, and some bear.

Mound C

Bird Point--No, I didn't find this :-(

Mound D Excavations

There are always critters to deal with.
This salamander found its way into our unit and couldn't get out!

This snake also slithered over to see what we were up to.

Sunrise

Sunset over Mound B on summer solstice (or close enough!)

Toltec Mounds State Park

This is the base of a Gary spear point. I found this one!

Working on my unit with Marilyn Knapp.

2010 Movie Awards: Les Grossman Tells Off Taylor Lautner

Thought I would share this. Brent Bradshaw from Rogers is the Taylor Lautner double. (Karen Bradshaw's son, for those of you at Kirksey Middle School.)

2010 Movie Awards: Les Grossman Tells Off Taylor Lautner: "When Taylor Lautner explains he has to be in two places at once, Les brings in his body double."