A'diggin for flower pots

This past Sunday was my first time back in the field since last semester. I went with my adviser and classmates to the Woodlands. The Woodlands is a National Historic Landmark that includes a mansion (c. 1787) and its carriage house and stable (c. 1792). It is currently surrounded by a cemetery. There was a greenhouse on the property until the middle of the 19th century. A PhD student at another university is doing her dissertation where the greenhouse is believed to have been located, but we excavated two test units down the hill. The remains of the greenhouse are believed to have been carried down the hill from its destruction and water run-off. We found TONS of pieces of terracotta plant pots, some glass and pottery sherds, pieces of brick, and some random metal objects. Today I helped one of the other graduate students clean off the objects and re-bag them. Next Wednesday, a few of us are going to go back to finish digging the units. Although it was really interesting, I don't think garden archaeology is for me. It did feel great to be back out in the field. Nothing is better than playing in the dirt.