2023 Indigenous Site
The 2023 archaeology season at Delaware focused on the excavation of the Kelly Vein, called this by the prospectors of 1845 the vein was primarily excavated by the Indigenous inhabitants of Delaware approximately 4000 years ago. Hammer stones and charcoal were recovered providing proof of the labor-intensive work done here. At the south end of the vein is a test pit from 1845, and another Indigenous vein excavated in the conglomerate rock.
The Site
This is the site as it sits today. The main excavation was started in 2023 with many things being uncovered. In traditional archelogy methods the site has been filled back in to preserve the grounds.
Sketching the Site
As the process progresses detailed drawings of what is found are created. This allows for further analysis when they return back to the lab. The drawings shown both plan view and sectional view of a dig site to full explain it
Excavating the grounds
The process of uncovering a site is very tedious. The goal is to uncover defined layers a little bit at a time noting what is found. The students created a variety of exploratory pits as the set out to map the extent of the site.
Documenting the Artifacts
Detailed logs for every artifact uncovered are created. Additionally drawings are created as another means of reference. On a small dig like this hundreds of items were discovered and tagged for further study and analysis
