August 23, 2001

Today's Goals: Continue excavations in the three trenches on the north and south sides, and on top of Mound A. Continue profiling the south step trench, filling sandbags to stabilize the trenches when we close down, and continue backfilling units. Robert Hellman arrived today, and Tammy Cooper returned.
Excavating in the north step trench. Tammy Cooper returned to the site today and is excavating in the North step trench.
Plan view of the northern portion of the platform atop Mound A. Plan view of the northern portion of the platform atop Mound A. The red clay cap has two linear features in this area.
Plan view of the southern end of the platform atop Mound A. Plan view (overhead) of the southern end of the platform atop Mound A. The gray clay cap has a pronounced edge in this area. It is diving down in this area steeply.
Shiloh National Military Park Chief of Maintenance Gerald Skaggs visited the site. Shiloh National Military Park Chief of Maintenance Gerald Skaggs visited the site. He was enlisted to help with the photography of the unit shown below, helping hold the tarp overhead to provide shade and reduce light mottling.
Plan view of one of the read clay caps in the south step trench. Plan view of one of the red clay caps in the south step trench. The excavations are making it increasingly clear that these caps cover mound stages. When in use several hundred years ago, the south face of the mound was likely covered with red clay.
Discussing the profiling operations. John Cornelison and Chris Gillam discussing the profiling operations at the northern end of the south step trench. Over the last two days several meters of the south step trench have been profiled in detail. In one one-meter segment, there were 18 distinct strata.
North wall profile of N36E180, showing the multiple capping episodes. North wall profile of N36E180, showing the multiple capping episodes. The excavation of this unit over the past two days has enabled us to link strata from the bottom to the top of the step trench.

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