Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Today, I organized all the research I have done so far for the exhibit. I have been collecting notes from articles and books in a notebook and on the computer. So, I took some time to organize it all in a file on MOSH's Curatorial drive. Now, when I have a completed document, it is saved in a spot where Lenny can access it whenever she needs it. After organizing, I continued to research. Today, I researched Dent Mound, whose artifacts are in the museum's collection. Actually, once I finish the box I am currently working on, I will be changing units so that way I can inventory the Dent Mound artifacts. This way, they will be properly inventoried before selected for the exhibit.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Today, I continued research on Dent Mound. Dr. Ashley did a reanalysis of the artifacts in the 1990's, and wrote a great in-depth article about the past excavation and the current implications for the site. I nearly finished going through the article today. Since I hand write my notes (if I typed them, I would type EVERYTHING), it takes me a bit of time to thoroughly go through a long article. Anyways, I hope to finish that research next week.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Today I went back to inventory. I have one more box of Bunnie Hall's projectile points and stone tools before I can change gears and move to the Dent Mound collection of artifacts. However, this is a box of many, many, lithic pieces. I did not get to finish it today, but it won't take me too much longer to finish. Which means next week I can continue my research of Dent Mound and then actually go through the artifacts from the site.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Friday, June 21, 2013
Week 5
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Today I catalogued projectile points. I have learned how to make labels using acrylic (so that the labels can be removed if needed). I was on a roll; I inventoried a whole bunch of them. Just as I was losing momentum, Lenny (the curator), asked me to do some research for my exhibit. I welcomed the change of pace. I looked up local news articles that spoke of Dr. Keith Ashley (with whom MOSH is partnering with for the upcoming archaeology exhibit). Dr. Ashley is an archaeologist with the University of North Florida, and specializes in North Floridian prehistory. The Florida Times Union has written quite a few pieces that feature him. I am not quite sure how these articles may be worked into the exhibit, but it was interesting to do some research from the news/media perspective rather than just scholarly research.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Today I catalogued more Bunnie Hall, which consisted of projectile points, stone tools, some pots and other small artifacts. The interesting thing I wanted to mention about today, though, is the stone tools. When I looked up a few of these objects in Past Perfect, they were described as nothing but "stone, worked". These objects did not appear special. I noticed, though, that they are not simply discarded pieces of worked rock, but rather useful handheld tools. If you hold them logically and just right, they were made to be held and worked by a right hand. I know I am an archaeology nerd, but this is the kind of stuff. Who knows the last time somebody held that piece of rock correctly? Since Hall was no educated or seasoned archaeologist, he may not have realized their true purpose, only noticed that they were indeed worked by human hands.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Today, I catalogued more stone tools and projectile points. I worked through a few boxes and actually finished my first Unit (an entire shelving unit). I realized that I am becoming quite efficient using Past Perfect, since I was working pretty quickly through my objects. I have also become proficient at describing projectile points using the proper vernacular. It seems useless to most people, but in the world of archaeology, it's pretty helpful to know the vocabulary surrounding stone tools.
Friday, June 21, 2013
Today was all about researching my exhibit again. I researched the Spanish mission site of Sarabay, located on Big Talbot Island, Dent Mound, Shields Mound, and a few other places. I found some great articles by Keith Ashley, the archaeologist partnering with MOSH for the exhibit, so I have a lot of reading to do as I continue my research. I also talked with Lenny (the curator) for a while about the direction and format of my research. As time progresses, it is interesting to research her new ideas for the exhibit. I can't wait until the exhibit is done and I can come back and see what parts of the exhibit I influenced! I really enjoy working with Lenny (not to be a teacher's pet). She is always upbeat, and when we get talking about archaeology and the exhibit, we always end up going on tangents about anything museum/archaeology related. Today she showed me some plans for a future exhibit. I don't think I can share what it is exactly, but it has to do with pirates and ships, so it is unbelievably cool! Finally, I had my midterm evaluation today with Lenny. Overall, I am doing very well here at MOSH so far, and I am really enjoying getting to know the museum ins and outs. I think I am forever sold on Public Archaeology. Even if I end up working in academia, I will always have a passion for sharing my passion with others.
Today I catalogued projectile points. I have learned how to make labels using acrylic (so that the labels can be removed if needed). I was on a roll; I inventoried a whole bunch of them. Just as I was losing momentum, Lenny (the curator), asked me to do some research for my exhibit. I welcomed the change of pace. I looked up local news articles that spoke of Dr. Keith Ashley (with whom MOSH is partnering with for the upcoming archaeology exhibit). Dr. Ashley is an archaeologist with the University of North Florida, and specializes in North Floridian prehistory. The Florida Times Union has written quite a few pieces that feature him. I am not quite sure how these articles may be worked into the exhibit, but it was interesting to do some research from the news/media perspective rather than just scholarly research.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Today I catalogued more Bunnie Hall, which consisted of projectile points, stone tools, some pots and other small artifacts. The interesting thing I wanted to mention about today, though, is the stone tools. When I looked up a few of these objects in Past Perfect, they were described as nothing but "stone, worked". These objects did not appear special. I noticed, though, that they are not simply discarded pieces of worked rock, but rather useful handheld tools. If you hold them logically and just right, they were made to be held and worked by a right hand. I know I am an archaeology nerd, but this is the kind of stuff. Who knows the last time somebody held that piece of rock correctly? Since Hall was no educated or seasoned archaeologist, he may not have realized their true purpose, only noticed that they were indeed worked by human hands.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Today, I catalogued more stone tools and projectile points. I worked through a few boxes and actually finished my first Unit (an entire shelving unit). I realized that I am becoming quite efficient using Past Perfect, since I was working pretty quickly through my objects. I have also become proficient at describing projectile points using the proper vernacular. It seems useless to most people, but in the world of archaeology, it's pretty helpful to know the vocabulary surrounding stone tools.
Friday, June 21, 2013
Today was all about researching my exhibit again. I researched the Spanish mission site of Sarabay, located on Big Talbot Island, Dent Mound, Shields Mound, and a few other places. I found some great articles by Keith Ashley, the archaeologist partnering with MOSH for the exhibit, so I have a lot of reading to do as I continue my research. I also talked with Lenny (the curator) for a while about the direction and format of my research. As time progresses, it is interesting to research her new ideas for the exhibit. I can't wait until the exhibit is done and I can come back and see what parts of the exhibit I influenced! I really enjoy working with Lenny (not to be a teacher's pet). She is always upbeat, and when we get talking about archaeology and the exhibit, we always end up going on tangents about anything museum/archaeology related. Today she showed me some plans for a future exhibit. I don't think I can share what it is exactly, but it has to do with pirates and ships, so it is unbelievably cool! Finally, I had my midterm evaluation today with Lenny. Overall, I am doing very well here at MOSH so far, and I am really enjoying getting to know the museum ins and outs. I think I am forever sold on Public Archaeology. Even if I end up working in academia, I will always have a passion for sharing my passion with others.
Friday, June 14, 2013
Week 4
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Today I finished the box! WHen I printed the inventory sheet, it was 20 pages long. Then, I went on to inventory a few new boxes. Luckily, the next two were not Bunnie Hall's finds. Rather, they were artifacts from Mesoamerica- 2 Guatemala Maya tripod plates, a Chancay urn, and a Chancay figurine. They were very interesting, but they had also already been recently inventoried and researched. So, they didn't take up too much time. My next box was back to Bunnie Hall's projectile points, and my first Object I.D. was a bag of over 140 pieces of worked stone and points. I catalogues 52 of them before I went home.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Today I did research for the upcoming archaeological exhibit. I took a break from the pre-contact and researched a Spanish mission site, San Juan del Puerto. I found some great articles and information about the site and its history. I took about six pages of notes because I found such great information. Hopefully at least some will reach every exhibit-goer next fall!
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Today I went back to inventory. I continued with my projectile points and got a lot done. I learned to make labels on the points with acrylic and acid free markers. Also, I am becoming very adept at describing projectile points and their parts. I know this is not a very aplicable skill, but at least it is one more skillset added to my museum and archaeology knowledge. I finished the Object I.D. with about 140 pieces, and went on to do a few other I.D.'s as well. Very productive day.
Friday, June 14, 2013
I worked today to make up for one of my missed days last week (I will be working next Friday as well). Today, I went back to researching, but I didn't do the usual researching of the sites. I was thinking about the exhibit, and realized that the average person going through the exhibit will not naturally understand all the terms or basics of archaeology. With this, I made notes about the very basics about archaeology and its procedures, tools, and ethics. Even though these terms come so naturally now, I cannot assume that every person will. The exhibit, after all, is about archaeology of the local area, so with that, you have to educate what archaeology is. Plus, since Northeast Floridian archaeology is not my particular interest, just sharing with people my passion for archaeology makes me excited for this exhibit. I love to talk to people about it, but usually their eyes just glaze over. With Public Archaeology, people can learn about what it is that I do and love. Like I've said in weeks prior, maybe less people will ask why I like dinosaurs so much (for the record, that's Paleontology!).
Today I finished the box! WHen I printed the inventory sheet, it was 20 pages long. Then, I went on to inventory a few new boxes. Luckily, the next two were not Bunnie Hall's finds. Rather, they were artifacts from Mesoamerica- 2 Guatemala Maya tripod plates, a Chancay urn, and a Chancay figurine. They were very interesting, but they had also already been recently inventoried and researched. So, they didn't take up too much time. My next box was back to Bunnie Hall's projectile points, and my first Object I.D. was a bag of over 140 pieces of worked stone and points. I catalogues 52 of them before I went home.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Today I did research for the upcoming archaeological exhibit. I took a break from the pre-contact and researched a Spanish mission site, San Juan del Puerto. I found some great articles and information about the site and its history. I took about six pages of notes because I found such great information. Hopefully at least some will reach every exhibit-goer next fall!
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Today I went back to inventory. I continued with my projectile points and got a lot done. I learned to make labels on the points with acrylic and acid free markers. Also, I am becoming very adept at describing projectile points and their parts. I know this is not a very aplicable skill, but at least it is one more skillset added to my museum and archaeology knowledge. I finished the Object I.D. with about 140 pieces, and went on to do a few other I.D.'s as well. Very productive day.
Friday, June 14, 2013
I worked today to make up for one of my missed days last week (I will be working next Friday as well). Today, I went back to researching, but I didn't do the usual researching of the sites. I was thinking about the exhibit, and realized that the average person going through the exhibit will not naturally understand all the terms or basics of archaeology. With this, I made notes about the very basics about archaeology and its procedures, tools, and ethics. Even though these terms come so naturally now, I cannot assume that every person will. The exhibit, after all, is about archaeology of the local area, so with that, you have to educate what archaeology is. Plus, since Northeast Floridian archaeology is not my particular interest, just sharing with people my passion for archaeology makes me excited for this exhibit. I love to talk to people about it, but usually their eyes just glaze over. With Public Archaeology, people can learn about what it is that I do and love. Like I've said in weeks prior, maybe less people will ask why I like dinosaurs so much (for the record, that's Paleontology!).
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Week 3
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Today I learned how to take the temperature and humidity readings for the museum. They are taken every month and recorded on a computer. It is a long and tedious process, but not that difficult once you do it once. I also inventoried more projectile points and pottery shards. I am almost done with the box! I have one more object I.D. to do, which means maybe only about 30 more pieces of pottery (before I move onto another box with just as much stuff). Oh well, I'm looking forward to reaching the accomplishment of my first box completed all on my own.
Thursday and Friday, June 6 and 7, 3013
Due to tropical storm Andrea coming through, no interns or volunteers were able to come into the museum for safety reasons. I will catch up on hours probably by working Fridays for a few weeks.
Today I learned how to take the temperature and humidity readings for the museum. They are taken every month and recorded on a computer. It is a long and tedious process, but not that difficult once you do it once. I also inventoried more projectile points and pottery shards. I am almost done with the box! I have one more object I.D. to do, which means maybe only about 30 more pieces of pottery (before I move onto another box with just as much stuff). Oh well, I'm looking forward to reaching the accomplishment of my first box completed all on my own.
Thursday and Friday, June 6 and 7, 3013
Due to tropical storm Andrea coming through, no interns or volunteers were able to come into the museum for safety reasons. I will catch up on hours probably by working Fridays for a few weeks.
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