The field school hosted its second “Volunteer Saturday” today. Over two dozen visitors stopped by to check in on our progress. Upon arriving, visitors were given a brief tour of the site by Amanda or Dr. Eubanks.
After the tour, many of the visitors got to try their hand at digging and screening.
Several members of the Rutherford County Archaeological Society also came out to visit, including Laura and Brad Bartel who brought drinks and snacks for everybody.
People of all ages were welcome, though we did ask that minors be accompanied by an adult. Here, Valerie is showing Scarlett and Isaac (Dr. Eubanks’ niece and nephew) how to excavate with a trowel.
Our most interesting find of the day came from the prehistoric midden in the eastern part of the site. It is an almost perfectly spherical Mississippian gaming, or stick ball, stone. The presence of this stone suggests that the site’s occupants might have used the area around the mineral springs to play stickball or a similar game.
If you are interested in stopping by to see what we’re up to, or if you would like to come out and help us excavate, we will be having our third (and final) Volunteer Saturday next week on June 30th from 9:30 A.M. until 3:00 P.M.