PreClovis

Add a Comment

35 Comments

Comment by Anjanette on March 2, 2009 at 5:10pm

Awesome, thanks. I will get back to you in a while, its midterm time!!!

Comment by Charlie Hatchett on March 1, 2009 at 11:18pm

Thanks Anjanette. I definitely want to record this stuff properly.
Here is a representative profile of the strata at the site:

http://cayman.globat.com/~bandstexas.com/site86.jpg

This is looking to the north at Unit Lima. Here is the same area, with the point bar included:

http://cayman.globat.com/~bandstexas.com/site3.jpg

Here is the same area, looking south, across the point bar:

http://cayman.globat.com/~bandstexas.com/site64.jpg

In the distance you can see a drain. The elevation at the
top of the drain is usually above the water level. That elevation
is a 100 year flood plain.

Here’s an image showing how the valley fills after strong rains:

http://cayman.globat.com/~bandstexas.com/site70.jpg

This view is to the north, looking at the cut bank and flood plain.
The flood plain is private property, though I’ve though about buying it.
Nobody builds in the flood plains along the creek, so maybe it would sell for cheap. In the image, in the far background, you can see a separate terrace/ valley margin. At that elevation development is routine.

Anyway, just wanted to give you a general overview of one of the Units.

Thanks Anjanette,

Charlie

Comment by Anjanette on February 27, 2009 at 12:01pm

Hey, the whole site should have a datum point set up that is a constant. if there is a high area where erosion is not a daily major issue use that. i will find something i have in my notes that talks about setting up a stable site datum. with a large area like yours, we should be able to find something. this weekend is crazy, its my kids tenth birthday so i will start on finding that for you next week. thanks charlie

Comment by Charlie Hatchett on February 27, 2009 at 10:52am

Let me ask you this, Anjanette: Are GPS coordinates (long/lat/elev) for each find sufficient. The problem I'm running into is the datum for each unit erodes. I would continually have to update each datum. I guess I could back off and set each datum 100 meters away or so, well out of the fluvial path. But, again, for a salvage project, do you think GPS coordinates (long/lat/elev) for each find are sufficient?

Thanks for the kudos on the report. I still see it as quite rough and I've been working on it for ca. 3.5 years. I've thought of shooting for the 7-year mark for a polished, fleshed out, initial report.

As for the fieldwork, I've been quite lucky, stumbling upon this site ca. 1.5 miles from my house. It makes it very easy to spend time at the site. And I love spending time down there. Lots of wildlife, huge oak, pecan, elm, a spring fed creek, etc...It does my soul good. ;)

Comment by Anjanette on February 26, 2009 at 7:45pm

As long as you have a really good datum established and degrees from it with meters on a polar map, that is a good start. Even better if you can get cm below datum. You have done a lot of good work that I know there are MA candidates out there who have not done that much field work. Hopefully, when I get to the MA stage, I can put together something as well as you have.

Comment by Charlie Hatchett on February 26, 2009 at 3:55pm

If you can, photograph in situ and take GPS coordinates if you can. Sounds like a pretty big thing you have stumbled upon, and the more data you collect, the easier it will be to get the information out there. Personally, I believe that all finds should be done over a period of years, because natural forces at work give us something new all the time. Still working on you pics, but others loved the fish bones!!!!!

______________________________________________________________

Aren't those cool (fish bones)!

I have to admit I haven't documented the bone locations as accurately as the stone artifacts. I've got +/- 10 meters accuracy on the bones and +/- 2 meters on the stone artifacts. I'll tighten up the accuracy on future bone finds. I have at least recorded the general locations on past finds.

Thanks for the tips.

Comment by Anjanette on February 26, 2009 at 3:22pm

If there is a site datum, do your triangulation that way. If there is not one, record one and use it from now on. Getting GPS on the datum is very important. As long as we know where the datum is, we can polar map from there

Comment by Anjanette on February 26, 2009 at 3:18pm

If you can, photograph in situ and take GPS coordinates if you can. Sounds like a pretty big thing you have stumbled upon, and the more data you collect, the easier it will be to get the information out there. Personally, I believe that all finds should be done over a period of years, because natural forces at work give us something new all the time. Still working on you pics, but others loved the fish bones!!!!!

Comment by Charlie Hatchett on February 26, 2009 at 1:43pm

Thanks Anjanette.

I updated the posting for Specimen 8:

http://www.archaeologyfieldwork.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=2011#2011

The specimen is ca. 12cm long and ca. .5cm wide. I found the specimen on a Pleistocene gravel terrace after a hard rain. After each strong rain I find a few bones and a few artifacts. I've been monitoring/ documenting these terraces for about 3.5 years. I've been having a lot of fun with it!!

Comment by Anjanette on February 25, 2009 at 12:28pm

scale with cm on photo104. I also need thickness, calipers work well for this, and any provience if possible. Thanks:)

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4