These days, the archaeologists work with sectioned-off grids, dicing through the mound with trowels. Artifacts are carefully cleaned and tagged with the locations of their discovery. Welch's team plans to stay a week longer this year, extending their season into the first week of August. His crew hits the ground, running at 7 a.m. every morning. During the evening hours, they'll wash and tag their artifacts.
Archaeology is a demanding profession.
No bullwhips here. No Indiana Jones hats. Just a crew of scientists working long hours, under the hot sun, trying to put flesh and blood to a poorly understood chapter in our nation's prehistory.