By Lynn Retzlaff - DOTR eNeighborhood Editor

If you have traveled Wisconsin Highway 26 between Fort Atkinson and Milton during the fall of 2009, your curiosity might have been piqued by noticeable activity on the east side of the highway near Pond Road. A dozen or so people could be seen wearing reflective vests, carrying tools and setting up tarps. Vehicles were often lined up on the side of the road and workers seen crossing the highway. Let me offer you a sneak peek at what’s going on.

~Let’s start with a little history~



During the 1990’s, the Wisconsin Historical Society went to the location stated above hoping to find proof of the presence of the Finch Family (also known as the “Fighting Finch”) who resided in the area in early to mid 1800’s. During a shovel test of the site, Native American cultural remains were found in the form of pottery pieces and chipped stones. The site then remained untouched for years.  Once the Highway 26 expansion project was in the works, Great Lakes Archaeological Research Center (GLARC) was contracted by the DOT to further investigate the site. Dr. Robert Watson is the Principal Investigator of the project and Ricky Kubicek is the site supervisor. I was granted permission to spend time with them on site for an interview. Not only did I learn the story of the site, I also learned quite a bit about the execution of an archaeological dig.

~On with a bit of education~



There are three phases to a dig. Phase one is a shovel test which checks the surface soil for objects of archaeological interest. If objects are found, the site moves to phase two which is the excavation of areas
1’x2’ in size.

The second phase determines if the site is a significant find warranting moving on to the next phase. If the site is found to be significant, they move on to the third and final phase.

Phase three is data mitigation to recover and record all artifacts in the area.

This site, appropriately named the “Finch Site” has moved into phase three and is being treated as a rescue site due to the Hwy 26 project. There is a memorandum of agreement with all parties involved allowing GLARC to move ahead with the excavation, which has been going on throughout the Fall of 2009. All digging is done in 5cm increments and has to be dug perfectly straight and flush. The loosened soil is sifted and examined. The intact soil is inspected for patterning and differences in soil. I was able to see a piece of pottery that was still in the ground waiting removal and it was quite apparent the difference in color from pot to soil.  When an artifact is spotted, careful recording takes place before and during removal. Measurements such as depth, and latitude and longitude are logged. Numerous digital pictures are taken and filed along with the data. Dr. Watson explained how “Often when you map out the site and look at it later through slides, photos and the likes, you may find things you didn’t see the first time around.”

~Now comes the exciting part~



The workers have found pottery, arrowheads, fire cracked pots and various stones at the Finch Site. Charcoal is an important find as it is one of the easiest to have dated.  I was able to get a few pictures before the drizzle caused workers to cover the features with tarps. Just as I was thinking what a bummer it was to have the site closed before I was able to see it all, Dr. Watson kindly brought out what he refers to as “The Goodie Box”. The box was filled with bagged arrowheads and pottery pieces found at an earlier date. Thank you Dr. Watson!

Ricky Kubicek (site supervisor) and his crew originally thought they had found a temporary site of Native Americans, which would have been used seasonally or during travel. After considering the proximity to a spring fed pond and finding signs of possible home sites, their thinking has shifted. It is quite possible the location was of more permanent residency.  On the north end workers are finding objects of Late Woodland Phase (Kekoskee phase), which dates back to approximately 500-1000 A.D. The south end appears to be that of Middle Woodland, dating back to approximately 300 B.C. – 500 A.D.  

Middle Woodland people were some of the first to start connecting with others and trading began. Hopewell pottery was found on the south end of the site. The pottery is similar to that found in Illinois and Ohio.

During late woodland times these regional networks shrank.  It is not believed the artifacts being found are in any way related to the Mounds nearby. The site is only in the beginning stages of excavation, which means any phases considered at this point are only “possible phases”. Rather than spend too much time speculating, the workers are focusing on continuing with the excavation so they can find more pieces of the puzzle.

With the coming of winter, the team was forced to wrap up their work for the year. Once the ground has thawed in the spring of 2010, they will be able to continue where they left off. They are hoping to be able
to work until mid summer 2010 and beyond if allowed. With only 3% of the site currently open, they have a lot of work ahead of them and would like to be able to finish. Dr. Watson thinks the site might “possibly be a significant contribution to Wisconsin archaeology.”

We at DOTR, can't wait for the rest of the story!

Click Here for the complete web photo album of all of Lynn's shots from the 'Dig on Hwy 26'!