Sayre School Historic Archaeology Project
Sponsored by Cultural Resource Analysts, Inc.
2000 - 2001 School Year
This school year we began the project with a slide presentation of previous work and a discussion of this year’s goals. This year’s excavation will continue from where we stopped last year. Excavation units will be expanded to better define building foundations and locate associated features. We hope by the end of this year to know how many structures are along the back fencerow and their dimensions.
Prior to our excavation in October, students will visit the office of CRAI for a look at our facilitates and demonstrations. Among the planned activities, are the ever popular flint knapping demonstration by Andrew Bradbury, a demonstration on how computer mapping is used to enhance our knowledge of sites, a discussion on faunal analysis, how a database is used for analysis and a demonstration on how ceramic analysis is used in determining status and consumer patterns. |
Andrew demonstrates flintknapping |
Cultural Resource Analysts, Inc. plans to continue working with future Sayre 4th grade classes. We also hope to work with the upper classes at some point in the future. Among other things, they would work with our historian to investigate archival records in order to determine what we can about the history of Waterwild. |
Hank shows a student the fine art of excavation |
A critical component in the success of the Waterwild archeology program is the student's parents, who have performed a variety of functions on site. They have supervised students performing all the tasks necessary in an ongoing excavation, from digging in units to screening and labeling bags. The parents have helped organize the field day, provided student transportation, and have even provided hungry crewmembers much needed snacks. A surprising and enjoyable byproduct of the educational program for the children is the interest in the excavation displayed by parents. The parent's presence on site has reinforced the educational message to cherish our past, and has served to cement the student's relationship with their state's history. |
Parent and students excavating together |
We at CRA, Inc look forward to many more years working with the Sayre students, teachers and parents. As the public’s participation in archaeology increases their understanding and support of archaeological projects, opportunities such as Waterwild are beneficial for all involved and we look forward to many more such educational experiences. |
Grant shows the importance of taking good field notes |
Special thanks to the owners of Waterwild Farm, Jamie and Madelyn Millard, without whose support this exciting learning experience would not have been possible.
Click here for additional images from the laboratory visit and the excavation