2008 Field Report 3

July 3, 2008
AutoCad Plan Map of Feature 40 (to date)

AutoCad Plan Map of Feature 40 (to date)

Excavating with Feature 40, the hospital latrine

Excavating with Feature 40, the hospital latrine

This week we continued our excavations in Block 6 and the latrine. Because of rainy weather on Monday, we focused our efforts on the hospital units which are sheltered. We were able to work in both areas on Tuesday. The excavation in the latrine has produced many pieces of glass, ceramic, and bone. We have found several examples of banded yellow ware, probably from chamber pots. One interesting piece has a blue decorative glaze.

Square bottle base exposed in Feature 40

Square bottle base exposed in Feature 40

We mapped the location of many of these artifacts on Wednesday. Christina found a square glass bottle base in the latrine as well. The base is slightly over 7 cm (3 inches) square and is of what appears to be “black” glass (very dark green). We are unsure at this time whether it is a patent medicine bottle, or maybe a gin bottle.

Mapping inside Block 6 this week

Mapping inside Block 6 this week

Katy and Colbert mapped a unit of the hospital on Tuesday. It contained three plow scars and some areas which appear stained in the subsoil. The work in the hospital produced several interesting artifacts, including, a bottle finish and a cut piece of hard rubber button.

On Thursday, July 3, we had to deal with many of the hospital building units being flooded. There had been significant rains during the night, and although the site is covered with the weatherport, water seeped from underneath. We spent much of the morning bailing it out so that we could continue to excavate. We left the latrine covered and will probably not get back to it until next week. Another update then…

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