Lauren Cook – Day of Archaeology, 2015

back to 2015 Day of Archaeology Index
See Past Days of Archaeology in Philadelphia (2014, 2013, 2012)
Back to PAF HOME
~~~

Lauren Cook, RPA
Dewberry Engineers

I spent today (July 24, 2015), supervising an experienced field crew in the midst of a three-week project designed to define the boundaries and assess the significance of a prehistoric site discovered in March in Evesham Township, New Jersey (USA). We have excavated more than 170 shovel tests and five excavation units so far at this stage of the project, focusing on areas where shovel testing produced the highest amounts of material. We have recovered several projectile points and tools, large numbers of flakes and lithic debitage fragments, prehistoric pottery, and fragments of fire-cracked rock. We have not encountered any features yet. The site has been extensively plowed over the last several centuries, which has likely affected its integrity to some degree. When the project ends, in a week or so, we will have the information needed to determine whether or not the site is significant.

My responsibilities today included determining where excavation units will be located, laying them out, assisting with excavation and recording, reviewing and keeping track of paperwork and artifacts, and limited administrative tasks. After all, archaeology is the science of doing ten things at once!


by