Beginning with scorching temperatures, week two of the 2008 archaeological field school has proved to be both a challenge and a learning experience. The knowledge and skills acquired in the first week were put to the task by an increase in field work experience as well as an introduction to the basics of lab work. These experiences combined with lectures given at the end of each work day have all centered on material culture and its importance relative to archaeological research.

Monday introduced the team to more hours of field work, allowing us to hone our field methods in areas such as digging and screening for artifacts, interpreting soil layers, and cleaning up excavation sites. Throughout the week, the team also learned the importance of mapping the topography of the site by using the “total station” to measure elevation. Changes in elevation reveal to archaeologists possible “disturbances” in the landscape such as building foundations and other anomalies. As our team continued to excavate different layers of soil in “Site B,” we were able to begin drawing sketches of our units. Sketches allow archaeologists to record certain things about their unit ranging from simple objects such as rocks, roots, and animal burrows, to more complex features like post holes, cobblestones, and sub-floor pits.

Near the beginning of the week the field school also took a day trip to Monticello, Jefferson’s main estate. The purpose of the trip was to get a better understanding of Jefferson by comparing our site at Poplar Forest to Monticello. We discovered that even though Monticello was built for purposes other than those of the retirement home at Poplar Forest, there were many similarities between the two structures. The two dwellings were both designed in a Palladian fashion, with similar wing structures and octagonal rooms (Jefferson’s favored shape). The team also got an exclusive view of the archaeological sites “behind the scenes” as well as a small lecture on the artifacts recovered from the grounds. All in all, this field trip increased our understanding of Jefferson’s lifestyle and architectural genius.

Our lectures in material culture throughout the week immersed us in a world of dating and interpreting objects such as pipes and pipe materials, glass, and ceramics. Due to the fact that our team has been finding artifacts mainly falling into these categories throughout the week, these lectures proved to be extremely helpful in determining chronological time periods for “Site B.” Knowing how to date sites by using knowledge of artifacts and culture is perhaps one of the more important skills an archaeologist will learn in his or her lifetime.

By the end of the week, feeling tired yet more confident in our growing archaeological skills as excavators and curators, we have high hopes about the continuing weeks at Jefferson’s Poplar Forest and what we will learn about next.