Excavations in two of the three sub-operations have been completed and stratigraphic profiles (drawings that show the layering of soil, rocks and whatever else is in the ground) have been drawn. The third -- the test pit in Sub-operation E -- has been excavated to sterile soil (meaning there were no artifacts and likely no cultural material left to be found). To put that into perspective, it's about one cubic meter of dirt -- which may not seem like a lot until you see the hole it creates.Tomorrow, all that remains is to draw the stratigraphic profile of Sub-operation E and then backfilling of all the units. Backfilling is when all of the soil and stone removed from the excavation unit during the course of the season is put back in the ground. Not only does this protect any remains uncovered during the season, but it leaves the surface of the site looking the same as it did when we arrived.
In other news, what follows is the promised photo summary of the "conditions of malaise" encountered by various members of Team PADO this season. They include but are not limited to:
Bruises:
Upset stomachs:
Falling down while walking:
Falling off rock walls combined with blistering sunburns:
And regular sunburns -- both from excavating and from riding in the back of the pick-up truck:
Tune in tomorrow for the next exciting installment of "PADO in the Field" ... where we highlight the art of backfilling!!!
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