Cub Scout Archaeology

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Two weeks ago when I worked for Thomas Englund and Bo Knarrström at the 1719 battlefield on Skogsö, I came across a variant on a type of archaeological site that I've blogged about before. A site where children have built and abandoned something, but this time it wasn't a tree house ruin: to me it looks more like the remains of an outdoor gym built by the cub scouts who periodically camp in a nearby house. You know, chin-ups and stuff.

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To this end, the kids nailed and tied horizontal spires to trees, clumsily and with very little regard for the trees' well-being. While they were at it, they had loads of chocolate and strew aluminium foil wrappers around the site, much to the chagrin of this metal detectorist. A 1983 coin may date from the same episode. They used it a number of times, left, and the site was allowed to slowly return to nature.

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About 10 years ago, I did a sewerline CRM survey along the first terrace of Pearl River in central Mississippi. I found a plowed-out lithic scatter in a pine plantation that had some fine treehouses in it, so I named the site something witty I can't recall at present after the treehouses. 5 years later, I came back thru doing a reservoir survey. The treehouses were in decay, some parts having been salvaged for fortifications; rifle pits for paintball had been excavated, and there were Mardi Gras beads hanging from the trees. They grow up so fast!

By Mary Evelyn (not verified) on 30 Sep 2007 #permalink

From Amber I have heared about the sword that you have found and today on TV2 I had the opportunity of seeing you digging it out. Congratulations to you - this is extraordinarily! I hope you will receive the tvery best of credit for this achievement from the authorothies. Good Luck!