Week 7 (March 6 - March 12, 2016) - Caracol Archaeological Project

The week started out on Sunday with the celebration of Baron Bliss Day with our traditional chicken barbeque. Baron Bliss was an individual who never set foot in Belize, but who anchored his yacht off Belize City. He died on his yacht and left his entire fortune to the country of Belize, which now has a national holiday (technically March 9) to celebrate this act of largess.

This week saw the formal wrap-up of all field work and a full transition to the laboratory. Monday witnessed section drawing with C208G and C208H being finished. The men numbered sherds and the students worked on washing bone. On Tuesday, backfilling began in earnest with C208G, C208H, and C207F being finished and section drawing moving to C95G and C95I. On Wednesday, section drawing was done on C95E and C95F with backfilling finishing C207G and the C207 plaza test; then, more sherd numbering and cataloguing. On Thursday, the section for C95G was finished in the morning and everything in C95 was backfilled by day’s end. Melissa Badillo from the Institute of Archaeology also arrived on Thursday afternoon to help finish up the field season. Friday morning the men went into the bush to get materials for building more shelving in the lab and then seven of them departed in late afternoon. On Saturday morning, the four remaining men tarp the Preclassic building in C207 in preparation for potential stabilization by the Institute of Archaeology during the off-season.

Staff and students continued laboratory work continued through Saturday afternoon with pots being drawing, cataloguing being done, and photography starting of the artifactual materials. The goal is to send out the material that the Institute of Archaeology wants on Tuesday when Melissa goes back to Belmopan.

The weather at Caracol has been very hot with a heavy rain only on Monday night and then dry and very humid for the rest of the week – a major change from the previous weeks.

Max Supervising the Barbeque for Baron Bliss Day

C95G Diane drawing section and Jaime finishing excavation

Amy Finishing the C95E tomb

C95 backfilling

In the Middle of Tarping C207 for the Off-Season

Men of Caracol about to go to the bush

Angie and Rosita in the Kitchen

Ben and Maureen making a computer entry

Cheryl, Texanna, Danielle, Angelica, and Troy Cataloguing

Max and Jackie Drawing

Amy Melissa and Eric Cataloguing

Adrian Drawing Pottery

7 Responses to “Week 7 (March 6 – March 12, 2016)”

Hello, Eric Patz! Just got your phone call and (darn) I was away from my desk! Great to see the photographs from the field season and we look forward to seeing YOU when you return from another triumphant experience!

Hola Eric! Your field work is inspirational and exciting and confirms our work at the museum with the students. Finish strong and see you back in the states in April!

Hi Dr. Eric from New Image Youth Center in Orlando. We just read your letter and we hope you’re having success in the jungle. Some of the kids want to post comments and questions:)

Benita “Good luck and have a great time.”
Jimmie “Be safe in the jungle and don’t get attacked by anything.”
Sean “He doesn’t have any electricity, so how’s he going to get this?
Weedenson “Have an amazing day.”
Scar “Are there monkey’s there? What does your laboratory look like?”
Totiyana “We miss you!”
Jeremiah “Hope you don’t get hurt. What is the jungle like?”
Alina “What’s the best part about the jungle?”
Chrysh “Have you found anything cool from old people?”
Akeem “I hope you discover all the treasure you’re looking for? Is there gold there?”
AJ “Have you come across any interesting artifacts?”

Be safe and looking forward to hearing back from you- NIYC

I did not recognize the number but now listened to message! A little envious of your adventure ( in a good way) can’t wait to hear and see all about it upon your return!!!! Look forward to continued postings!!!!!