Mystery rocks and mounds

Today Mom and I once again hiked into Highbanks and into the site. This time we took an aproach from the South, just off the path. We walk along the top of the earthworks and probed as we went. Once we got back towards the northern  portion we probed around the exterior and noticed what may be the secound mound or ring of earthworks that Baby mentions in his notes. This was very exciting and we probed along this formation. Strang rocks that seemed really out of place were all along the earthworks ontop of them and around them. Now these rocks seem local but could not have eroded out of the earthworks unless there are sections of the earthworks which contain large stones, perhaps for support. This was really wierd to say the least. Further investigation may come in the future.
We walked back into the enclosure and probed a low area which  we flagged for excavation. In our probes we collected the typical yellow clay and saw red clay and charcoal inclusions. It was exciting because this red clay is only seen inside the earthwork walls and is not local to the area. Further inside the enclosure, as we were working our way South, we saw another wierd occurance. Multiple, small mounds dotted the landscape. It was really odd, they almost looked like sifting piles from Baby's excavation but they were too far away from the earthworks. They also looked like a serial killer had come in and buried a half dozen bodies. Mom probed one, which was braver then me. They turned out to be pretty much solid yellow clay. The mystery increases!!! As we continued to walk back to the path we realized that these mounds were most likely the result of a fallen tree. We saw other trees that had fallen and when the root bulb comes up it brings with it a great deal of clay that is caught in the roots. Once the organics decay it leaves behind the big pile of clay. So no serieal killer mass burial ground, just a bunch of fallen trees....or are they?

New day new ideas

Mom and I hiked back out to the site today. It was even hotter and muggier than yesterday but we pushed onward. Today we decided to start at the southern end of the earthworks and work our way inward. We probed and flagged two more possible pit locations.
Hiking in from the South gave us a better view of the ravines that are running through the area, there are three ravines that run through the middle of the enclosed space. We probed some more and took photos. Then went to the observation deck which is in the southern half of the earthworks right on the cliffs. Looking down from this vantage-point really put a new perspective on the entire thing. If this were a fort how could people from the village site across the river see what was coming? How could they scale the 100-foot high shale bluffs in a timely manner. This site would not be one that you could easily access from the river. You can get to it, but it would be difficult. I'm looking into reformatting my research question a little bit to possibly include an analysis and comparison of the earthworks as a ceremonial site to other known earthworks sites along the Olentangy and Scioto rivers. The more I walk around this site the more I think that this is a ceremonial site and not a fortification.
Another exciting discovery was made by mother who took a look at Baby's field notes that are located int the Ranger station/Nature center. As we walked through the woods to the site we ourselves noted that there seemed to be a second ring of earthworks, or at least what looked like some. Baby, in his notes, says that there is in fact a second ring and that he excavated a trench from one ring to the other. This discovery has prompted me to look over Baby's notes again in the OHS, so I will organize a time sometime this week and hopefully find something I did not the first time.
This, accompanied by the fact that the location is hard to get to and that the center of the earthworks is red clay, something not local to the park itself, makes me believe even more that this is a ceremonial site and not a fort.
I'm going to be researching a lot more in the next week or so and looking into links between this and other sites in the area.

Pictures from today

First day in the field for serious

So today mother and I went out to Highbanks. We took the CORRECT trail and hiked to the earthworks. We drenched ourselves in bugspray and went out, laden with soil probes, pin flags, and various other bits and bobs. The day started out warm but not terrible and by the time we got to the earthworks we were in the shade of the forest so it wasn't too bad. The hike off the trail and on top of the earthworks was very exciting. We saw the vernal pool which is home to salamanders and frogs. The site covers about 10 acres of heavily forested area  so the hike out to the cliff-edge was work for sure.
The first thing that mom and I noticed was the topography inside the earthworks. From all of the maps and etchings I have seen of the earthworks it is apparently flat inside but what we observed was a very different landscape. Inside the earthworks seemed to be a smaller ravine and what appeared to be another mound or ring possibly. It was very interesting and we are going to do some hunting to see if we can find someone in Ohio that has software that allows for tree-penetrating aerial survey/radar. It would be extremely helpful if we could get an aerial shot of the site. Elizabeth and Debbie, the naturalists at Highbanks, came out to the site and walked around with us for a while. They are both really excited about the project and I am so grateful for their support.
We took a few cores and did some surveying today before we decided to head back. I think I have found two possibilities for pit locations, which I flagged so that we can find them again.
Headed back out tomorrow, but for today I need a shower and a nap. Very tired and gross, it got hot towards the end of our visit.
Stay tuned for more information, we are headed back out tomorrow so we will see what happens!!

I walked four miles today...on accident

Not such a great start these past two days, considering the rain. Today I drove out to Highbanks, determined that the mud would not deter me. I dropped off the completed flier to Elizabeth, she loved it! (seen below) I decided that I would hike out to the site and maybe get some photos and see how far I could walk, and if I could get to the bluffs. 

What’s Going On?

An archaeological excavation of the earthworks at Highbanks is taking place. Test pits are being dug along the earthwork walls which will hopefully yield evidence and information about the day-to-day lives of the Cole people. The last excavation of this site was done in the 1950s by the Ohio Historical Society. Very little is known about the Cole. It is the hope of the archaeologists to find ceramic artifacts such as cooking pots and those used for ceremonial purposes at the earthworks. Ceramic artifacts yield a great deal of information on the lives of past peoples. They can tell us what people cooked and ate, how they may have worshiped, and even if they traded with neighboring prehistoric peoples.

This limited excavation will take approximately two weeks.

Sponsored by the College of Wooster, approved by Highbanks Metro Park, in conjunction with the Ohio Historical Society, 2011 

I Started off on my hike to the site and about two miles in realized I had gone the wrong way. On top of this fact it was very muggy and I was being eaten alive by mosquitoes. Ugh!!! I turned around and hiked back to the car, rounding out the trip with about four miles of hiking today. I drove home covered in sweat and mosquito bites. Tomorrow I will try yet again to go out to the site so pray that I learn to read a map and that this does not happen again.

First Day in the field....kindof

So I went out the Highbanks this morning to meet with Elizabeth Fields, Richard Rapp, Gert the naturalist, and Heather Williamson. We talked for a little bit about the project and what exactly I would be doing. Due to the really heavy storms last night though I did not go out to the site (it would be too muddy). I am really hopeful that the rains will stop and that I can get out in the field before this weekend , cross your fingers!!!
Today instead of going out into the field I did a bunch of preparing and paperwork.
I still have to work on the flier and sign for tomorrow (hopefully) so stay tuned for more news

terribly overdue

So this is going to be a long update, considering that I have not posted in a while.
Firstly I got an A on my Geology I.S.
I completed my Archaeology I.S., topping at 84 pages! Also an A
My proposal was approved and I received my permit for excavation this past Monday in mail.
I want to thank all of the park staff and people at the Ohio Historical Society including Brad Lepper, Brent Eberhard, Linda Pansing, Richard Rapp, Elizabeth Fields, John Watts, and so many others who I am sure I am forgetting.
I am so excited to be starting excavations, and as an undergrad it is an even bigger honor to have been given this chance. I hope that the weather gets better and that all of my hard work pays off in a great excavation. The project will begin on Thursday, May 26th, so in a week!!!!! I am going up to Wooster to pick up equipment from the Geology and Archaeology departments.
On Thursday Richard and Elizabeth will walk me around the site and I will do some initial survey, no intensive stuff that day. I have to watch out for a population of salamanders, though I think it should be fine. I intend to begin real excavations on Friday, weather premitting, and go straight through to June 12th, which is a Sunday.
I really hope that I can blog just about everyday, or every other day, so that there is an ongoing record of excavation and findings, I plan on posting photos, etc.
This is such a wonderful opportunity for me and I cannot stop smiling about it!
Wish me luck everyone!!!