Our field investigations have continued with various groups participating in the study of Block 4. We have now opened 16 two-meter units and have eight of them down to subsoil. Participating with us were students from the Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s Future Scientists Program and the Field School from Heidelberg College.

Several features have appeared in the units, including two trenches and one post hole.

Future Scientists sort cultural materials recovered during the day.

We have a few interesting finds that I would like to share with you. Over the course of our investigations, we have found three items that seem to relate to a small firearm. It appears that we have the barrel, the firing mechanism, and the handle.

The second find was discovered by one of the Future Scientists, Tiffany, and is the only one we have seen from the site. The front and reverse views are pictured below. It is a cameo with a solid gold band around it. I don’t know how this was worn or used by a prisoner, but it is finely carved and quite exquisite. It may be one of the most impressive finds of the season.

Pictured below are some of the other finds we have made. Of particular interest are many pieces of cut shell that seem to be centered around the N152E126. It appears that prisoners were working with some of their craft items at the rear of Block 4. One of the cut shells has been carved into a tear-drop shape. It broke when it was being drilled at the top.

Students work on the N154 line of units.

Dave Bush gives a tour of the site.

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