Welcome to Adobe GoLive 6

· SAT GRANT: VIRGINIA CITY WATER AND SEWER IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT

The excavation behind Content’s Corner has resumed. After testing the area for the amount of overburden present over the cultural level, Donny assisted in the removal of that layer with the Bobcat; I also was instructed in its use. Only half of the overburden could be removed with mechanical equipment, the rest had to be removed by hand to avoid displacing the stones present in that area, which are representative of the foundations of buildings once standing along Jackson Street. Two test units are opened at this time, one to test feature 5, the other to further investigate a possible feature located during the trenching for the new phone and power lines. This project needs to be completed and reported on by September 30th, which is when the extension on this particular grant expires.

· PRASCH BLACKSMITH SHOP PRESERVATION PROJECT

The testing as described in the permit submitted to SHPO is about half done. The portion outside of the building will be done during the training session for the VC Institute. Two test units inside the building were left as a backup in case of inclement weather. The testing has revealed no culturally significant deposit thus far.

· GILBERT BREWERY STABILIZATION PROJECT

Consultation is under way for the stabilization of the Barley Tower. Archaeological monitoring will be implemented once the construction phase begins.

· THE PLAYERS CABINS UTILITIES UP-GRADE

No estimate has been received from Northwestern Energy for the 150 feet of cable required to bury the utility line.

· KISLING HOUSE / ARIZONA COMMODITIES STABILIZATION AND PRESERVATION PROJECT

A primary testing phase was conducted in conjunction with the stabilization project. That phase did not reveal any significant cultural deposit in the immediate area to be impacted by the stabilization/preservation effort.

The natural deposit was tested to 3 1/2 feet deep with auger tests at various point around the building with only a few artifacts recovered basically on the surface dating from the 1970s'.

· RICHARD’S CABIN / X BEIDLER

The heavy rains of June revealed a drainage problem in front of Richard’s Cabin in Nevada City. The area in front of the cabin has been collecting the run off water from up slope. The collection of water has been heavy enough to also accumulate inside the cabin as well. The solution to the problem has been to build a so-called “French drain” system in the area. It involved digging a 3 ft x 3 ft x 3ft deep pit lined with gravel at the bottom, a little ways in front of the cabin (in the highway right-of-way) and installing a perforated pipe going into the cabin to collect excess moisture in the ground and direct it away from the cabin. No cultural deposit was located during the project.

· GPR SURVEY

Data collected during the survey did not reveal any void or tunnel-like feature in the sink area. A letter/short report will be received sometime next week outlining the results and the methods used.

· GENERAL

While Jon Roeder was here, we cataloged all of the backlog archaeology present at the curatorial center; some of the artifacts were collected dating back to 1995. We also meet about the upcoming Elderhostel in September.

Attended the all staff meeting on June 23rd.

The archaeological crew for June was composed of:

- Greg Anderson (STW contract started on June 20th)

- Jon Roeder (Volunteer; 5/31/05 to 6/6/05)

- Myself