Hand Excavation.

Crew members begin excavating the Elephant Site by hand. Removing the diatomite in "spits" only 5 cm thick, the excavators must pick through the material with an awl. This sort of excavation is time consuming, and if your hands are new to it, you will develop awful blisters, but the control offered by having the excavators' hands and eyes near the excavation is invaluable.

Extension 9 at the Elephant Site.

The extension we are making to the elephant site is L-shaped along the southeastern edge of the site. You can see the floor of the old trench on the right. Today's excavation is taking place on the ledge where the tools of the trade are visible: awls, brushes, and (very important) a foam pad to kneel on.

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