Outreach
Groundwork Buffalo
[Top right image: The Green Team students work together to sift through finds and distinguish between different artifacts]
In July of 2017, UB Survey had the pleasure of welcoming the team from Groundwork Buffalo for an excavation at Hull House, a collaboration set up by one of our student archaeologists. Groundwork Buffalo is directly connected with both the National Park Service and Environmental Protection Agency, empowering their neighborhoods and ecouraging their youth to engage with other local organizations.
UB Survey members, led by Ryan Austin, extended a previously open 1×1 test unit. The students and volunteers completed a full day of excavation utilizing shovels, trowels, single sifters and a tripod sifter. They were shown how to complete paperwork for the unit, take proper measurements and to read Munsell soil charts. These incredible youth were diligent and engaged. With the two teams combined we were able to reach over 60cm and excavated several layer bags of finds. We are thankful for the hard work of the young men and women who joined us at the site.
-
- Green Team leader Niasha uses a tripod sifter with her team.
-
- Student archaeologist Hannah Quaintence introduces Groundwork to the Munsell soil book.
-
- The day ended with a walk to the historic cemetery located on Hull House grounds.
Groundwork youth also ended the summer with a presentation to the local community, creating posters of their work and teaching the curious crowd all about the world of CRM excavation. Their positive influence and willingness to invest in their communities is a powerful reminder of how giving back can create big change.
The Archaeological Survey looks forward to having a continual relationship with the amazing staff and youth of Groundwork Buffalo and collaborating with them for future projects! More information on Groundwork Buffalo can be found at gwbuffalo.org.
