So today Bill and I continued working at the museum, doing what we did yesterday. We presorted 6 more crates, leaving only 5 to be done tomorrow. In addition,we started washing some of the pottery that was excavated last year. Pottery washing is something that everyone on an archaeological project becomes very familiar with. Very, very familiar. On an ongoing project, there is usually pottery washing done every day. The sherds that come in from the field, whether from a survey or excavation, are usually covered in dirt. To remove this layer of dirt, the sherds are soaked in fresh water and then gently brushed with a small brush (like a toothbrush) to remove any encrusted material. Once this is done, the sherds are set out in the sun to dry for a few hours before being rebagged. While students are often not thrilled washing pottery, I actually find it relaxing in a way. You sit in the shade and get a chance to examine the pottery as it comes out of the bins, and you often find a decoration or marking that you did not know was there.
RSM
Ancient History Ramblings 