June 10 2013 - The Race Against Time.

Today was the last full day of excavation, and for some, the last trip to the site. The sun came out once more, and we all got to work in the morning excited to see what would be the final things to be unearthed.

Kathleen wishing for something other than rocks and roots.

Erinn and Jeneva figuring out their next move.

Bob explained that we would continue to work in the same units, and would be excavating to the sterile level. We also had our last site guest for the term, Bob's daughter, Anna. She had a tour of the site, and then helped Caitlin in her smaller unit for the majority of the day.

Caitlin and Anna sitting pretty in the possible Japanese garden.

The last minute jackpot found by Cameron, Kelsey, Tiana and Nathan.

As we wanted to make the most of our last day on site, Bob let us shovel the last portion of our level in the afternoon. The urgency seemed to work in our favour, and all groups began uncovering some very interesting cultural material. Kelsey, Nathan, Cameron, and Tiana found a square tin box, and cylindrical tin box, a fully intact glass bottle and an old key. Caitlin found a very well preserved ceramic bowl, and all groups continued to find nails, bits of ceramic, shards of metal and pieces of glass.

Cameron  excited with his tin.

The square tin found by Cameron.

Kelsey excited to add another aritfact to the catalogue.

Bob decided that we could open one last unit before we left,located closest to the larger excavation unit. It looked as though it could be some kind of feature, as there seemed to be a large cultural rock formation. Ananda and Emma set up the plot and uncovered some ceramic underneath what appears to be a rock wall or border.

Now all Nathan needs is a treasure map.

 

The key found by Nathan, pointing north.

The ceramic bowl found by Caitlin, in situ.

By the end of the day students had already begun to fill in their units,  and we all said goodbye to the McKenzie Creek site that we knew and inhabited over the last few weeks.

The first and last unit to be opened on our final day. The rock feature and ceramic pieces in situ.

 

Emma and Ananda making the last minutes count.