While the general public thinks of archaeologists as "diggers," excavation is only the data recovery portion of our work. More time is spent in the laboratory processing the artifacts recovered, cataloging, entering into computer databases, and writing up final reports for publications. FOSA provides volunteer opportunities for laboratory and report-writing participation; and has also established and maintains a fund for radiocarbon dating of artifacts.


Processing

If you take a close look at "Excavation" photos 10, 11, and 14, you'll see small brown paper bags near the excavators. These contain the artifacts excavated, and are the starting point for the Processing function. Recorded on the bags are things such as the date, site, grid, grid-quadrant, and depth that the artifact(s) were recovered from. Arguably, these are the most important things that are taken from a site, pending laboratory analysis.

Most Processing activities are the same regardless of where they're done. The Ohio State University maintains a site where these steps are described in some detail; you can access that site by clicking here.

Additional information can be found by checking the Volunteer Opportunities: Lab Work page on this web site.

This is an important - indeed critical - activity in helping us understand what happened at that site. And it all starts with those small brown paper bags.


Report Writing and Presentation

While there are many potential venues for these, the documentation and storage of sites' results are generally kept in the Connecticut Archaeological Center's archives. And while all artifacts legally belong to the property owner, they are often donated to the CAC and/or to town historical organizations or other museums.

Presentation, however, can be done in any number of places, not least of which is at the FOSA Annual Meetings and at various open-house events where FOSA is invited to have a display.

The following photographs are taken from several such annual meetings and displays.