Arch Simulation IV - Ferry Farm

The pictures posted here were taken in June of 2004 at Ferry Farm, just outside of Fredericksburg, Virginia, and about 50 miles from Washington D.C. Ferry Farm was the site of one of the boyhood homes of George Washington. Archaeologists believe that they have located a site on the property along the bank of the Rappahannock River where they will find foundations of buildings dating from the time Washington lived there. This summer a group of students from Florida under the supervision of a professional archaeologist excavated the surface level of the site where they found artifacts dating from the 19th century. Later a team of more highly trained archaeologists will excavate lower 18th century levels where they hope to find artifacts and foundations of Washington's residence. The pictures here illustrate many techniques also used in research at ancient Mediterranean sites, such as grids to mark the whereabouts of artifacts, meticulous digging, troweling, sweeping, and sieving of artifacts. The site also reminds us that the remains of later civilizations must often be destroyed (though they may be researched carefully first), for the remains of earlier inhabitants to come to light. For more information please see the following site: http://www.kenmore.org/farm.html
- Cathy Scafe -