Campus archaeological dig far from empty-handed

By Katie Dooling

After a summer filled with heat, pick axes and unforgiving earth, archaeology students, professors, and volunteers are still attempting to locate a mission-period structure at the corner of Sherman and Benton streets.

From approximately mid-June through mid-July, the archaeological field and lab course led by anthropology professor and campus archaeologist Russell Skowronek dug three holes in search of a building dating from around 1790 to 1840.

According to Skowronek, all that was found in the two-meter holes was evidence of a structure in the form of roof tiles, pottery, boulders and other loose stones. Skowronek said he is not discouraged.

"There's got to be a building to go with [the findings]-these things don't just appear," Skowronek said.

Assistant campus archaeologist Linda Hylkema, who assisted on the summer project, said that the excavation unearthed artifacts of more modern structures that stood in the area during the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. She said the team found items such as barn and buggy parts from the late 18th or early 19th centuries, as well as car parts from an automobile repair shop that stood on the grounds sometime in the early 20th century.

Among the most interesting finds, according to Skowronek, is a piece of cement with "1913àJohn A. Day Born April 22, 1857" imprinted in it. Skowronek said he suspects that this is the year one of the more recent structures was built, the property owner, and his birth date.

Hylkema said there have been good clues indicating the existence of a mission-period structure on the site, as well as other interesting artifacts, but the structure itself has yet to be found.

"Even negative data is good data," Hylkema said. "All we've done is narrow it down."

Kerri Kinoshita, who graduated from Santa Clara last year with a degree in anthropology, helped with this summer's field and lab course and is staying on to continue with the excavation of the area.

Kinoshita said she thinks giving students hands-on practice in archaeology is very important, adding that students have been an asset to the excavation, as well.

"I've been really pleased with enthusiasm of the students," she said.

Junior Kelly Greenwalt, an anthropology and studio art major, and Senior Mark Rodriguez, an anthropology and psychology major, were two of the students in the field study this summer who have decided to continue with the project this fall.

Greenwalt said he is grateful for the opportunity and that his only complaint would be to "pick hours that are less hot." Rodriguez also said he was glad to have the experience, saying it was "fun, but hot."

As of now, the summer field and lab course is finished. The site, however, was recently reopened to continue the excavation. Currently, teachers, students, and volunteers are digging more holes in search of the mission-period building.

Introductory anthropology classes are using the area as a hands-on supplement for their lectures. Skowronek said he thinks this is an important part of learning about archaeology.

"Students are realizing [archaeology] is not just the textbook," Skowronek said.

The opportunity to work on an actual excavation came as a surprise to some students.

"I didn't think I would get to do field work," said freshman anthropology major Pat Sullivan, who said the best part of excavating is playing around with the pick ax and breaking up large chunks of clay.

Senior history and Spanish major Wendell Shepherd said he is glad students get to take part in finding artifacts.

"It's cool to know that there's stuff down there and we found it," said Shepherd.

According to Skowronek, finding additional artifacts is more than likely. When asked why the mission-period building has not been found yet, Skowronek emphasized that archaeology is a game of inches.

Since this is the first excavation on campus without the intent of upcoming construction, Skowronek said there is the time allowed to plan and dig carefully so that the artifacts will be in a better condition when found.

As for what will be done with the property after the completion of the excavation, no one is sure. Skowronek said one possibility is that the area will be used as a staging area for construction.

It still remains uncertain how long the property will be able to be used for this purpose. Skowronek said he suspects that excavation will continue through the next academic year. He said that as long as they are allowed to, students will use the land for hands-on learning.

"I want to do it the right way until somebody says to me 'you're out of here,'" Skowronek said.