Even though the weather was simply WONDERFUL last Saturday, we had a
very small crew (perhaps the weather was too nice for some folks to
volunteer). Despite the skeleton crew, we did make some encouraging
progress on units 4 and 5 (the well and cistern, respectively).

Most notably, thanks mostly to Aimee's "scouting" skills, we used a
tripod and pulley system to lift a large (roughly 250lb) limestone
rock from around the 200cm level of unit 4. Overall, the stone is
rectangular and appears to have been deliberately shaped. There are
various theories concerning its original use, but the current favorite
is that it was a support block for a post or pier, perhaps part of
one of the other outbuildings that used to stand near the Sutter-Meyer
Farmhouse.

More on that as well as what we found in the cistern later (FYI, we're
working on setting up a blog for this project so we can show some
pictures). For the moment, however, I want to remind everyone that we
will be returning to the excavation at 8am TOMORROW (Saturday, June
16) and we still need volunteers to help us keep this project moving
forward.

Please note that because of the warm weather that has been
forecasted, we will be starting and ending ONE HOUR EARLIER than
normal; we'll start at 8am and finish around 2pm (or maybe a little
earlier if the heat is too much).

If you'd like to volunteer for this coming Saturday, please e-mail
bgpaulus@... or (314) 704-3507. Please be prepared to
work at least three of those six hours, if you can. There's plenty of
work for anyone who offers to help; we have lots of different tasks
that need to be done, accommodating a wide range of physical ability
and levels of experience.

Of course, visitors are always welcome to stop by and observe our
work anytime during those house (note: kibitzing is optional).

We'll provide plenty of sunblock and cold, bottled water for
everyone. Volunteers should dress appropriately (we recommend wearing
light-colored, loose-fitting clothing). We also strongly recommend
that all volunteers should have received a tetanus shot within the
past five to ten years; as usual, we'll ask you to sign a "hold
harmless" agreement before we put you to work.

The Sutter-Meyer Farmhouse was built around 1873 and is believed to
be the oldest standing house in University City. It is located at
6826 Chamberlain Court, which is one block north and west of the
intersection of Ferguson and Olive. For more information about this
project, please see our brochure at
http://moundcity.missouriarchaeology.org/brochures/SutterMeyerbrochure
20070416.pdf

Note: to view this PDF file, you'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader, a free
copy of which you can download at
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html .

Hope to see you this Saturday,

Greg

Greg Paulus
President (and Volunteer-Wrangler), Mound City Archaeological Society
bgpaulus@...
(314) 704-3507