Bones for Beginners

James Gibb

At the CCASM October 13 meeting Dr. James Gibb presented the first of a series of talks on identifying animal bones.  This talk highlighted why we study the animal bones found on archaeological sites and used the bones found on two sites at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) to indicate provide an example of how we study bones.  Jim is the principal for Gibb Archaeological Consulting and a Smithsonian Research Associate.

Future talks will include hands-on workshops.  In preparation Jim suggested some readings -

• The Big Oyster, Mark Kulansky (2006) - more fun to read
• The Oyster, William K Brooks (1896, republished 1996)
• Identifying and Interpreting Animal Bones, April Beisaw (2013)

Attendance: 17

Ask an Archaeologist #11

?      What is the difference between an archaeologist and a paleontologist?

?      What is the biggest dinosaur?

Many people ask archaeologist about dinosaurs, but archaeologist don't study dinosaurs.  Archaeologists study the human past.  Paleontologists study dinosaur bones.  Both do dig, and both do study bones.  But archaeologists study animal bones to understand what humans were eating in the past. 

You might want to check out this article by Jason M. Fancher that includes a big reason archaeologists don't study dinosaurs - "For the entire time that people have been around, dinosaurs have been extinct. " 
http://saa.org/ForthePublic/FunforAllAges/DoArchaeologistsDigDinosaurBones/tabid/1066/Default.aspx

Answer provided by Carol

Look for future postings with answers to additional questions.  And don't forget to check out the answers given in previous postings.

CCASM Outreach Committee's First Meeting

For the past several years CCASM has had archaeological displays and activities at a number of public events.  Recently we have been asked to provide more children-oriented activities.  So how could CCASM come up with new ideas for public outreach and include more people in the process?  We decided to form an Outreach Committee.

At the first meeting in September Mike, Doug, Barbara, Elsie, Carol, Sami, and Gabi saw all the displays and outreach activities that CCASM currently has as well as heard how they were used.  And ideas did come - in two cases small changes were suggested, and in two other cases a complete redo was agreed upon.  Five people are now working on the changes as well as developing some more children-oriented activities.
 
Although he could not come to the meeting, David, one of our members who is with the National Park Service, sent us links to the Junior Ranger activities related to archaeology.  So there are a number of ways people can help.  

Anyone with ideas who would like to help is welcome to participate.

Archaeology and Service

Valerie Hall

After a break over the summer  CCASM resumed its monthly meetings on September 8 with a talk entitled "Archaeology and Service" by Valerie Hall.  Since archaeologist are always asked "What is the favorite thing you have found?", Valerie showed some of the interesting artifacts she had found while working at Jamestown and at ASM Field Sessions.  She continued with discussing various outreach projects and research projects that have led to her being a Lab Manager for the Veterans Curation Program (VCP).

The Veterans Curation Program (VCP) was created to process at-risk federal archaeological collections but also to assist qualifying veterans.  It was interesting to hear about the type of training the veterans in the program receive - everything from getting a chance to flint knap to taking photos of artifacts.  But the purpose of the program was not to create archaeological technicians.  Participants also learn skills that have allowed the vast majority of the graduates to find employment (outside archaeology) or to continue their education.  Quite impressive. 

Attendance: 12

Return to Jug Bay

This spring, Anne Arundel County partnered with the State of Maryland, the Archaeological Society of Maryland and the Lost Towns Project to investigate a Native American Village Site located at Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary.   (Remember the ASM Field Session)  They ran out of time during the Field Session and are returning for four days to investigate a rare prehistoric house site.

AUGUST 17, 18, 19 and 20, 2016 (9am-3pm daily)
 Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, Lothian, MD

Open to the general public.  No experience required.  They will give you “On the Job Training”.

Reservations are required for this special program, and the max number of participants each day is capped at 20 to ensure the quality of the scientific work.  Participants must be at least 12 years old. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Daily cost for this program is $20 per person. Sign on for all four days for the discounted program fee of $55 for the entire session.

Click to Register

The field session will culminate in a volunteer appreciation cookout on Saturday afternoon 3-7 pm. All participants from the week are welcome: Bring a potluck dish or cash donations accepted).