As a Socio/Cultural Anthro major, this is my first field class (and first Archeology class!). Its refreshing to bring the educational experience to a beautiful outdoor location. I'm so used to learning from books and lectures that learning hands-on seems foreign. It took hours to understand the purpose of the transit and how to measure distance by reading the stadia rod (its been a LONG time since I've done math). However I did enjoy the teamwork aspect, especially flattening the tall grass in front of the eastern stake. Field experience sticks in my mind, whereas years of books tend to fade from memory. I hope we can break out the gloves and tools this coming week!
It is fascinating that Andy Galvans said there has been no archeological activity yet on our site, considering the amount of human activity surrounding it. His team has discovered many burials along Mission Blvd. over the years. He also noted that even the Native Americans would have stayed away from such a sloped area. But with the concentration of humans here since the mission was established, and possibly prior, I don't think its unreasonable to expect some archeological finds.
This is my first field class as well. It seems that there are a few people in the class who have field experiance of some kind. This is nice as at least some people will know what we are doing. As you mentioned there has been lots of human activity in the area of our site over the years, so there is a possibility that we may make an archaeological find. I think that if we do it will most likely be relating to the Mission or convent and not to the Oholone, based on what Andy Galvin said and the amount of work and construction done near the site.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Christy, and great Comment Janna! This is what I am looking for, some reflection on what we've done each week. It'll get better as we go!
ReplyDeleteHello Janna and Christy (and all), I am very impressed with the photographs that record the present orchard site and the modern convent grounds. I am quite taken aback by this gem of architecture and garden space. I hope to learn much from the archaeological approach toward reading the past. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteThere's a LOT of posts with picture from Day One, but wow, this definitely takes the cake for pictures that illustrate the best of the building's architectures. I agree with everyone else on this one- 'How impressive!'
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know what style of architecture/building this is called?