Indiana Jones and the Bailly Homestead

"Mark Shurr stood in the dry sun outside on the grounds of Bailly Homestead, holding a pole with a prism on top like Indiana Jones out of a scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark." -Heather Augustyn, Times Correspondent

Having your professor compared to Indiana Jones on the second day of the dig is some of the best encouragement a budding archaeology student could ask for. A picture of yourself on the front page of another newspaper doesn't hurt either. The first article describes the dig while the second one just has a picture with an article that is not related to the dig. I may or may not have bought several copies of the paper with my picture on the front... 

Andy Lavalley | Sun-Times Media

The Times reporter was actually very close in her description of my professor. An inquisitive man and wonderful teacher, Dr. Shurr was in the process of teaching us how to use a Total Station also known as a transit. The machine is used to create a topographical map of an area by measuring elevation. A prism pole, which bears startling significance to the one used in the Indiana Jones movie, is positioned above the location you wish to measure. Using the instrument, you sight the prism on the top of the pole through the instrument and calculate the elevation, distance, location on the grid (northing and easting), and bearing with the push of a button!

Jon L. Hendrix | The Times

If you can't tell, I'm having an absolute blast. I've learned how to establish a topographical map, build a grid for resistivity surveying, and dig shovel probes. One of the most fun things has been surveying underground using the resistivity instruments. By taking resistance measurements between the probes on the instrument every meter, we were able to see whether something was hiding underground. This type of surveying revolutionized archaeology allowing archaeologists to "see" underground so as to not waste any digging units. The technology is rather exciting. 

We start digging 1x2 meter units on Tuesday. We're hoping for more of what we have found thus far and even more exciting historical artifacts. We've found handcut nails, decorative glass, 18th century pottery and a metal object that could be a mirror frame. I can't wait to discover more!

Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day?

Dearest reader(s?),

I have been away for far too long. To help catch you up on how wonderfully busy my life has been, I have composed this little poem just for you. I can only hope that my poor attempts at rhyming bring a smile to your face.

As swiftly as the weather,

this spring semester has come together

They started out as six little courses,

but transformed quickly into overwhelming forces.

Campus bloomed with the promise of spring

only to have snow flurries and clouds tightly cling

 Through the clouds, saw one repast 

after forty days sans makeup, my Lenten fast,

Easter Sunday dawned bright and sunny

and the congregation hopped about just like a bunny.

Exams came and exams went 

and still three more this week! Will they ever relent?

Finals approach under spell of darkness,

the end of the semester has come with abruptness.

As I look forward to Mexico next fall,

I cannot stand to wait at all!

But in the meantime there is work to be done

shadowing physicians and archaeology fun!

As for this blog, do not despair

"One post a week" says the optimist, as if in prayer.

For your patience you shall be rewarded,

There are posts to come, I am not to be thwarted.