How to Conduct a Dig
By: Kim
Well first you need a dig site somewhere that a discovery has been stumbled upon or where you think there is important artifacts. You, the archeologist, can't just start digging. You need to follow several steps:
- permission: you need permission from the owner of the land to start digging on their property.
- funding: you need funding for any employees, dirt removal, equipment etc.
- tools/equipment: you can't dig with your hands you need trowels, shovels, buckets, brooms, stadia rod and transit, dirt removal etc.
- survey: you need to survey the site to find the shape, area, and position of it.
- archeologists: let's face it you can't dig all by yourself, you need fellow archeologists to help and dig along with you.
- label: label everything. All artifacts, artifact bags, the site the separate digs within and the dirt layers in those.
- map: map everything the whole site the holes where you find artifacts where you discover buildings. Mapping is extremely important.
You are now ready to dig. Dig carefully and don't use a bulldozer or machinery, trowel and sweep away dirt. Machinery will damage the artifacts that could be close to the surface.
If you discover anything take it to your local historic society they can answer most questions. Once you are finished fill in the holes and leave your site exactly as you found it. Except with a little more knowledge.
Archeology is an unfamiliar word to most youth. I have become familiar with the word over four years through the can you dig it? program at the Kingston Archeology Centre. I have learned how to process artifacts, how to conduct a dig, and how to preserve artifacts through hands on work at sites and the centre. I have worked at the Fort Henry Hospital and Fort Frederick. I enjoyed all of it. I have had many educational experiences and they were all fun I have learned a lot about Canada's history and love the program. I feel lucky to have had this opportunity to look into the past
131H 7R13 Fort Henry Hospital Privy Drain
7 sherds Ceramic
- object 1 is a ceramic plate, white with a blue jagged deign around the edges. The five pieces fit together to form about half a plate. The surface and glaze is intact and the is no chipping or flaking. The larger sherds are the same weight as a smaller stone.
- object 2 is a ceramic plate with a blue strip about a centimetre in width around the edge. The piece is a bout a quarter of a whole plate. It is chipped in several place exposing the non-glazed ceramic. It is relatively light for its size.
- object 3 is very similar to object 2. Its pattern is the same only a lighter blue. Object 3 is about half the size of object 2. Object 3 is chipped in several place exposing the bare ceramic. It too is relatively light for its size.
All of the objects were found in the Fort Henry Hospital Privy Drain which is no longer being excavated.