Skipping the dark interval

Not that the Christmas season was devoid of cheer, and the party was a really pleasant social occasion despite some of the worst pictures I have ever taken at any kind of gathering. Anne Pilkowsky was given the Avocational Archaeologist award for her incredible slog through Ingalls and _everywhere_ trying to beat the cataloging into shape; George Leduc was Rookie of the Year. And the state attorney general and soeone who assists her in keeping the non-profits gave certificates of special appreciation , signed by the governor, to Brownie, Jane P, and Mark G for the (hours, days, weeks, months) of work they have done on the inventory of the holdings of the Sargent Museum.

Now it is February, and we worked last week on Berrier. The unwashed holdings are down to three milk-crates of hideous petrified mud containing hideous micro/macroscopic fragments of hornfels. We are not at lab today because it is snowing with more vigor than it has since maybe winter before last.

But in Texas, word comes that Mike COllins has been able to buy a certain site. This is good news. Not only is it of amazing (pre) historical significance, it's also a really nice spot and would have been a terrible retirement village.

Here's the Shovelbums entry for the field school this summer (though I could not find it in Shovelbums yet):

2007 NH SCRAP Field School, Franklin NH
June 4, 2007
Jun2 25, 2007
August 3, 2007
Session 1 June 25-July 6 Session 2 July 9-July 20 Session 3 July 23 - August 3
Co-Sponsored by Plymouth State University and NH Division of Historical Resources
Webster Farm, Franklin NH
The field school will focus on several hundred acres of alluvial terraces on the Merrimack River on the Webster Farm in Franklin, NH, the location of a variety of archaeological sites including a mid-18th century fort, pioneer homesteads, Contact period Native American sites and Late Prehistoric sites. The goals of the field school include precisely locating and mapping these sites with an array of remote sensing, GPS and GIS techniques along with rigorous archaeological reconnaissance methods including systematic shovel testing. This setting holds archaeological data that bridges the Late Prehistoric through the late 18th century historic era and has the potential to reveal one of the most dynamic transitions in the state's history.
Each week of participation is equivalent to one credit, and students may register for two to six credits. Costs for the field school credit students include a $50 equipment and supplies fee, plus tuition and registration fees. These are: Undergraduate In-State $255/credit, Out-of-State $279; Graduate In-State $359/credit, Out-of-State $395 plus a $25 registration fee. Registration forms for PSU For Undergraduate Credit information contact: Gail Carr, Office of Continuing Ed.,17 High St., MSC -10, PSU, Plymouth, NH 03264 603-535-2822 For Graduate Credit contact: Stacy Yap, Social Science Department,MSC 39, PSU, Plymouth, NH 03264, 603-535-2333, staceyy@mail.plymouth.edu
Final arrangements have not been made for room and board. Contact the Field School Director for details.
Survey and excavation
Late Prehistoric through late 18th century