Wow! Who Would Have Thought?

Young teacher digs archeological experience

By Michael Peacy

When I decided I wanted to teach, I knew I wouldn’t become rich, nor did I expect any job perks. I was right about not becoming rich, but I was wrong about the perks. Sure, I’m not enjoying the “suite life” at Miller Park, and somehow I was left off the guest list for the BrewHa this summer, but there are perks. Every Wednesday, I can count on eating everything from Kringles to extensive spreads of dips and veggies in the teachers' lounge. Last Christmas, I needed a wheelbarrow to move all the goods to my car. However, the real perks come in the opportunities to learn.

This summer I had an opportunity to participate in an archeological dig in Holmen, Wisconsin, as part of a grant-based program titled “Archeology in the Classroom.” Sponsored by UW-La Crosse and the Mississippi Valley Archeology Center, the program’s purpose is to determine if archeology can be used across curriculum to enhance student learning. I was intrigued by the concept. Plus, the clincher was at the end of the program: I received 12 free graduate credits.

The first part of the program was an in-depth study of the pre-European history of Wisconsin and the archeological process. Although extremely difficult and educational, it was necessary to better understand what we’d be doing for two weeks in the summer on an actual archeology dig. Our fantastic instructors, Bonnie and Connie, came up with a unique way to teach both aspects. They split us up into groups and gave us a big grid. We had to choose a point on the grid and then got samples of what we would have found if we were to dig there. For example, one slip of paper would say a bison scapula hoe. We then needed to come up with an explanation for what was going on at that particular site from the artifacts. We would also have to figure out what group we were dealing with as well. It was a hard project with a lot of reading and research, but we learned so much.

Once we got through the hard part, the fun part was about to begin. In late July, and in 90-degree heat, I pitched my tent on the banks of the
Mississippi River at my home away from home late on a Sunday afternoon. By the time I got everything situated, I was so tired I went to bed. At about 3 a.m., I realized I had company on this camping trip. See, I forgot to put my tub of pretzels away, and five raccoons thought that dinner was served. They were out there in their bibs eating away on the picnic table. They even brought silverware.

At 7:00 on Monday morning, the fun actually started. After meeting at UW-LaCrosse, we were off to dig. The site is actually a farm owned by two Swedish brothers. They had been plowing a field and started to find artifacts such as pottery and flint. After more revelations, they had archeologists look into their findings. As the archeologists surveyed the land, they determined the land had been an Oneota winter campground because the deer bones found were crushed to get marrow out from the center of the bones.

We got to jump right in and dig. The first thing we had to do was
clear away the plow zone. After watching some others do this, I volunteered to dig in a feature that was already open. With my pit partner, we scraped down 5-cm levels. Now, I know that doesn’t sound like much, but when you are scraping the top layer of dirt off with a bamboo stick and continuously measuring to make sure you are level at all times, it is. After all this careful scraping, it’s exciting when you hear a “clink." That means you found something.

My big moment came when I had to remove a bone from the ground. This was really neat but very nerve-racking. Amy, one of our guides, asked if I wanted to take the bone out. My immediate response was yes, but when she asked again, and all of a sudden I had second thoughts. Suddenly, the whole group was watching, and I really started to sweat. Of course, I’m sure it wasn’t helped by the fact that it was the sixth straight day of 90-degree heat! I was so proud when I got it out of the ground safe and sound.

Overall, it was a wonderful time. Looking back, I would sum up my experience this way: Never did I drink so much water or wear so
much bug spray in two weeks. Never did I think I would be so excited about finding a stain in the soil or finding large chunks of charcoal in the ground. Never did I think that blue gill fishing could be so easy (another perk!). Never did I think I could have so much fun with complete strangers.

Now, I have a new skill to teach my students, memories to last a lifetime and 12 graduate credits to boot! I took a chance and I’m glad I did – I couldn’t ask for a better experience in 90-degree heat!

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Posted November 28, 2005