Day Twenty-One in Chaco

Tara Beresh

November 2, 2016

There are many approaches to observing and interpreting the archaeological past. Techniques such as excavation, ground penetrating radar, and survey are all common methods for contributing new data to the record. Another method for obtaining information about prehistoric cultural activity and the environmental factors that predicated them, is the study of geoarchaeology.  Geoarchaeology uses geomorphology, or the study of landform origins and changes over time to interpret the sediments and soils at archaeological sites. In a nutshell, geoarchaeology incorporates geology and the earth sciences to tell us more about what the natural setting was like for past cultures. Knowing this information can help us to determine what the climate might have been like, what the water resources might have been and how environments have changed over time, affecting the subsistence strategies and inhabitants of that area.

Today I was assigned the task of accompanying two fellow crew members and a teaching assistant into the Chaco Wash to analyze the sediment layers in a segment of an alluvial fan. The arroyo wall was approximately 5 meters high and 2.25 meters wide. The feature we were most particularly interested in was a layer of flattened stones from the Bonito Phase (AD 1000-1100) that had a sherd in them located two meters below the surface. Our objective was to determine the context of this layer by facing (using a trowel to scrape and flatten) the vertical surface of the wash, exposing different layers from past water flow patterns and sediment deposits such as clay, silt, and sand. Some archaeologists have studied this horizontal layer of flattened stones and believe it to be the remnants of a path across the channel. Archaeologists can tell from the amounts of iron and other mineral buildup where water has previously flowed or collected for long periods of time. If there are stone structures present in an arroyo wall it might suggest that there was a water management system put in place by prehistoric communities. Curtaining is a term that refers to the dappled appearance on the surface of a sandy arroyo wall that has been visibly altered by rain and wind, much like a piece of paper that has been wet and dried.

Creating a sediment profile involves mapping the layers of varied sediments on graph paper and identifying the sediment types. We take measurements of the width and length of each sediment layer using various measuring devices and ladders to reach the highest layers in the wall. In addition, we use a Munsell Soil Color Chart to record the color shade of each sediment layer and then determine the textures of these sediments by mixing about a tablespoon of each sediment type with water and attempt to create a ribbon of soil between a thumb and forefinger. Depending on the grittiness and cohesiveness, a category is assigned to the soil type and recorded for future reference.

Working outside in a wash filled with cottonwood trees in bright hues of yellow and orange is one of the greatest advantages of working in the field of archaeology; however, doing archaeology also demands a heavy dose of teamwork and focus to accrue accurate data in hot climates, often covered in crumbling dirt and sweat. Living and working day in and day out with a crew of 10-15 people in a small space, both in the field and at camp can be a challenge, but the dynamic of support and compassion that can develop among colleagues in a long term, shared environment is immensely rewarding. You quickly find yourself learning from people you might have never imagined having anything in common with. I strongly believe that field school is an excellent way to expand one’s perspectives about people and human relationships, test endurance levels, and become prepared for demanding schedules and sometimes strenuous physical endeavors.

Day Twenty-two in Chaco Canyon

Heidi Pierce

November 3, 2016

            As we wrap up our excavation here at the Wetherill site, it is exciting to be able to step back and get a look at the bigger picture.  Each of us has been focused on our own small excavation unit, like studying individual pieces of a puzzle.  We have been careful to notice and record changes in the sediment color and texture, changes in the kinds of artifacts that we are finding, and any signs that what we see has been moved or disturbed from its original location.  We take detailed notes every day about our units, because excavation is destructive.  Any place where we dig will never be the same!  After five weeks of digging at the Wetherill site, this week we have backfilled most of our excavation units.  That means that all of the dirt that we have carefully dug out has been put back into those holes, so it is very important to record information that will be useful to answer our questions, as well as questions that other people might have in the future.  At the site today, several students used aerial photographs, historic documents, our current excavation units, and the previously excavated sections of wall to begin putting the Wetherill puzzle together.  Now we are able to see more clearly where their buildings were, and how they were related to other buildings in Chaco Canyon.

            Learning to do the work that archaeologists do was a huge part of this field school experience.  Setting up excavation units, maintaining straight walls and floors, recording information, identifying artifacts, using and drawing maps, taking good photographs, and knowing how to use the tools and equipment in the field are all very important skills for a professional archaeologist.  We use all of these methods to answer questions about the people who lived in the past.  When archaeologists dig, many people ask, “What did you find?”, but a better question might be “What did you find out?”

            Next week, when this whole field school experience is over and my friends and family ask me what I learned, I don’t know where I will start.  I certainly learned a lot about the daily work that archaeologists do.  There are so many different ways to study the people of the past, and many archaeologists develop a specialty.  Some archaeologists become experts in the ceramics that people made and used.  Some study the tools of the past.  There are also experts in geology, animal bones, and plants and seeds.  All of these people are able to learn about people in the past by looking at the archaeological record from their own unique research perspectives.  But one of the great things about field school is that so many different people with different specialties and interests get the chance to work together on the same project.  By bringing all of us together, we are able to learn from each other and bounce ideas off of each other in order to do better research.  I am so thankful to have had the chance to collaborate with this group of professionals and other students.  We all learned to capitalize on each other’s strengths, and to help each other learn the sometimes-challenging skills that are still new to all of us.  Five weeks ago, we hardly knew each other, but we have grown together into an awesome team.  There were days when the sun seemed too hot, the work too hard, and the days too long; but thankfully, we were always in this together.  Living and working so close to other people can be hard, but this group of people managed to find some fun in the work every single day.  Even though archaeology can be pretty tough on your back and knees, most days it was my cheeks that were sore from laughing.  I am so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of this incredible experience! 

Day Nineteen in Chaco Canyon

Kurly Tlapoyawa
10/31/2016

Wow. Time certainly flies out here in Chaco. As we wind down our excavation at the Wetherill Trading Post, I can’t help but think about how nervous and excited I was to begin this journey. Now, with only a few more days to go, I know that I will miss this place. I will be happy to be back home with my family, but I want to return here soon with them and show them how marvelous this place is. I can truly say that this has been a transformative experience.

Today is Halloween, so we all left the site as a group to hand out candy to the tourists, volunteers, and employees at the visitor’s center. We all wore silly hats instead of full costumes, but the spirit was the same. Right now we are all sitting together eating dinner, telling stories, and laughing. It will be strange to be back at UNM, surrounded by so many people and sitting in a classroom. I will miss the solitude of Chaco and the star filled nights.

   We are closing up our units and collecting the last of our data. It feels satisfying to look at our excavation site and see all of the work we have done. I dug down around 60 centimeters and found many cool prehistoric sherds. I wonder what else I would have found if the field school were not drawing to a close. This may sound funny, but as long and strenuous as some of these days have been, I can’t wait to get out into the field again. Archaeology has become a major part of my life, and I hope it expands into a full-blown career. Time will tell.

                

This will be the last post I write for our blog, so I just wanted to thank everyone here at Chaco for making this such an amazing experience. I want to thank my family for dealing with me being gone for so long so that I could experience this. I want to thank my classmates for being such cool people to hang out with on a daily basis. I want to thank Dr. Wills and Dr. Crown for providing me with such an amazing opportunity. And ultimately, I want to thank the ancestors who built this amazing place we call Chaco. Your spirit is felt every single day – alive and untamed.

Day Seventeen in Chaco Canyon

Eric Faull

October 27, 2016

First of all I want to give a shout out to the Carlos Rey Elementary School History Club for letting me visit them and present what we are doing in the UNM Chaco Canyon Field School.  That being said, this morning was crisp and refreshingly cool.  The sunrise was very beautiful as well. 

Sunrise from our campground

Sunrise over Fajada Butte in Chaco Canyon.

 

Pueblo Del Arroyo which is right next to Pueblo Bonito where we are working

Campground just before sunrise

Night Sky in Chaco Canyon

 Chaco Canyon is a designated International Dark Sky Park, one of very few in the whole world.  Because there is no light pollution, (city lights, house lights, car lights, and other things that interfere with your ability to see the stars at night) you can see a lot of stars that you normally can’t see elsewhere. 

Fajada Butte with the full hunter's moon glow on it

Full hunters moon rise behind the ridge that surrounds our campsite.

Field School group at Chetro Ketl Great Kiva.  Dr. Wills in the orange vest.

The morning and evening’s spectacular views are just an added bonus to what we are experiencing at the field school.  Not only are we learning how to do archaeology, which in itself I feel is a privilege, but we are also learning the history of the Canyon from one of the most prominent Chacoan archaeologists alive, Dr. Wills.  We take the time to visit all of the great houses, the really big buildings that have multiple stories and great kivas associated with them.  A lot of them have hundreds of rooms as well, although a lot of the later great houses have just a few rooms.  Today, we visited Chetro Ketl to watch the reclamation crew do repairs to it.  Unfortunately, they showed up late so we couldn’t stay to watch them. Dr. Wills gave us a tour of the site before we returned to work.  The crew split into three groups: some excavating at the Wetherill Trading Post, some doing Site Assessment, and some working on the geomorphology of the Chaco Wash. 

Day Sixteen in Chaco Canyon

Daniel Gillis

10-26-2016                                   

            Hi everyone! Last night we attended a lecture on Chaco rock art at the visitor’s center here in Chaco Canyon. The lecturer was Jane Kolber, a longtime volunteer here at the park, and she discussed and showed slides of many of the petroglyphs here at Chaco Canyon. The most common element in the rock art here at Chaco Canyon is the spiral and it is thought that it may represent the beginning of life or the cycle of life. Hands are also very popular in the rock art here along with human and animal figures- there are even a few macaws (birds from southern Mexico and Central America).

            Today after our mid-morning cookie break we headed out on the trail behind Pueblo Bonito to try to locate some rock art. Luckily there is a trail dedicated to petroglyphs that runs along the north cliffs of the canyon. We were able to locate a number of rock art panels carved into the rocks. Most of these panels contained quite a few different images. There was everything from geometric designs, representations of people and animals, and some of mythical creatures as well.

            People created rock art here in a number of different ways. The most common method of creating the art is through pecking which is striking the surface of the wall repeatedly with a rock to peck away a figure. There are also examples of excising which is cutting grooves into the surface with a very sharp stone, and abrading which is rubbing the surface with a flat stone to wear away an image.

            The rock art can be found almost everywhere in Chaco Canyon. Art was produced high up on cliff faces; which were and still are hard to access, art can also be found at eye level on some rock walls, and inside of some pre-historic buildings. Unfortunately, we only had a short time to experience the rock art here at Chaco Canyon today but we will be keeping a look out for more art as we visit different sites her at Chaco Canyon.

            The rest of our day today was spent excavating the trading post site near Pueblo Bonito, doing archaeological site assessment surveys for the National Park Service, and examining the geology of the Chaco Wash near our excavation site. We are in the middle of our fourth week out here and things are going really great. We are learning more about Chaco Canyon and the people who once lived here and we are finding a lot of really interesting artifacts both from the days of the trading post and from the Chaco culture of a thousand years ago.

            If you ever get a chance to visit Chaco Canyon you will not be disappointed. There are miles of hiking trails, lots of camping spots, and plenty of ancient ruins to explore. Hope you can make it sometime!

Day Fifteen in Chaco Canyon

Lancelot Tei
October 25, 2016

As an undergraduate student from the islands of American Samoa, working in Chaco Canyon has been quite a unique and interesting experience. Being able to work in an area where Ancestral Puebloans made use of the available resources such as sandstone for housing, clay deposits to make ceramics, rocks to make chipped and ground stone tools, and sometimes fauna for food and tools, provides a different view of the past. Being from a small island out in the South Pacific, I am used to seeing a lot of water, whereas here in the Southwest water is scarce especially here in Chaco Canyon. Living here would require immense adjustments to the weather and the wildlife in Chaco Canyon. The UNM 2016 Field School has given me the opportunity to practice archeological methods of excavating and processing our findings, all while learning a completely different culture from that of my own.

Waking up this morning was quite different from the past few weeks here in Chaco, overnight we received a fair amount of rainfall. The rainfall caused a slight delay to our day-to-day basis; it was wet and work on the site would get quite messy. Instead of heading out to the site, we went to the lab to finish sorting and categorizing some of the artifacts from our individual units. We then loaded the trucks and made our way to the Wetherill Trading Post site where we were briefed on a very interesting task which is to find similar features between Old Alto and Tsin Kletzin. As an archeologist these are some of the things we encounter and being able to adjust to different situations and being able to analyze and compare sites or features makes the job interesting and challenging.

The whole experience so far has been good and I am very blessed to be here working under the supervision of Dr. Wills and graduate students Joe Birkmann and Jacque Kocer, who have all been informative and helpful. Working with a diverse group of individuals with different areas of expertise brings different interpretations and techniques to achieving certain goals. Being an archaeologist requires a lot of patience and determination where much of the finds may yield promising or disappointing results. I have learned that some disappointments open up new avenues of interpretations which is a great thing about archeology where a single question can be approached from various angles.

My goal as an archeologist is aimed towards the South Pacific where I hope to understand more about the trade network within the South Pacific and how American Samoa (Tutuila) plays an integral role within this network, preserving much of the pre-historic and historic materials of the Samoas. As of now, I am working towards earning my Bachelors degree and enjoying the overall experience of working/training in Chaco Canyon. This is truly an amazing experience that I hope a lot of eager individuals can take part in.

Lance's Field School Nachos

Day Fourteen in Chaco Canyon

Marissa Thomas
10/24/2016

Working out here in Chaco Canyon provides a variety of unique experiences.  The University of New Mexico Chaco Canyon field school allows us to visit several sites including Pueblo Bonito, Pueblo Alto, New Alto, Hungo Pavi, Kin Klizhin and various others. Since we are students learning and working toward becoming professionals in the archaeological field, we get to excavate at the Wetherill Trading Post that is near Pueblo Bonito and have our own 1x1 meter units that we have responsibility for excavating.  We do everything in the unit including digging with shovels and trowels, collecting and bagging artifacts, taking measurements, mapping, and filling out excavation forms for each 20cm level we excavate.  We find many interesting things in our units from ceramics (prehistoric and historic), glass, metal, fauna (animal remains), beads, seeds, and much more. 

We also learn to do site assessments, where we hike up to a particular site and evaluate the condition of the site for the National Park Service.  This is important because it helps the Park Service track erosion, damage or destruction from animals or visitors. This provides a very unique experience; most people will never see these sites because they’re not open to the public.  By doing this we have been introduced to Archaic hearths, Navajo hogans, and Basketmaker or Chacoan sites to name a few.  We also get to see a lot of wildlife like elk, mule deer, coyote, owls and rabbits as well as seeing a once in a lifetime view of the Canyon from a unique vantage point. 

Last week, I was able to go into the Chaco Wash, which is a huge arroyo in Chaco Canyon.  I was introduced to the methods for looking at changes in sediment caused by alluvial and Aeolian processes that constantly reshape the land.  We looked at sediments dated from 2100-1000 B.P. from the Chacoan unit.  While we were down there we also explored and looked for animal bones for Dr. Wills’ isotope study of modern animals in Chaco. Being down there felt like we were in a different world, because we could see a lot of cottonwood trees, tall grass and shrubbery that give a different view of what Chaco Canyon has to offer.  This shows that whether you’re looking from up high or down low in Chaco Canyon, there’s always something beautiful and interesting to see, and because of this archaeological field school experience I’m lucky to say that I’ve been able to see many amazing sites both archaeological and scenic.  I’m very excited that I still have a few more weeks out here to learn and explore the hidden beauty that Chaco Canyon has to offer.