Alumni returned in October to “relive the dig” during Ohio Archaeology Month.
By Jake Ballas, ‘19
The weather held off for a trip down memory lane for some alumni as a group of 26 revisited field sites in October as part of Ohio Archaeology Month, celebrating the 30th anniversary of Ohio Archaeology Field School.
Dr. Paul Patton, Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Food Studies and Director of the Field School in Ohio Archaeology, led the tour on the cool fall morning, perfect for a light hike through Wayne National Forest, to three of the past sites that were worked on by the field school, including Monday Creek Workshop and Facing Monday Creek Rock Shelter.
Approaching Facing Monday Creek Rock Shelter. Photo courtesy of Sabrina Curran.
At each site he described what the field school had found at each and any new research that has been done since then.
“It’s fun coming back to the old sites, where it all began. It brings back a lot of memories and makes me realize how much I’ve learned since day one on site,” said Rachael Hutchison ’17, an Anthropology major with minor in Environmental & Plant Biology.
Photo courtesy of Jacob Ballas.
“It was great to see the sites with some of the original then-student archaeologists; their comments, memories, and anecdotal stories about their excavation experiences added some great layers to the trip,” added Michael Pistrui ’13. “The numerous community attendees were a lot of fun as well. They were all very curious, respectful and excited. There were a lot of great questions that they otherwise might never have had an opportunity ask, especially from original excavators.”
As for me, this trip reminded me why I love archaeology so much!
Especially when we were standing in the rock shelter—in the same place as the people of this area were 1,000 years ago.
That alone just makes my mind race by trying to imagine what life was like and how the landscape looked back then!
Thirty years ago, Dr. Elliot Abrams founded the OHIO Archaeological Field School. The program since has excavated almost two dozen archaeological sites, trained 345 undergraduate students in archaeological methods and preservation, and made significant contributions to our understanding of the prehistoric past. As the kickoff to Ohio Archaeology Month, this event will highlight the program’s achievements and offer an in-depth look at Prehistory in the Hocking Valley.anthro
Comments