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.
1 comment:
Your photos are interesting, especially the one with a snake in your hand. I assume he wasn't toxic or aggressive. The whole dig experience sounds like fun.
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